Abby McCloskey, Columnist

A Silent Trump Is Overshadowing the Texas Senate Runoff

May 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

Abby McCloskey is a columnist, podcast host, and consultant. She directed domestic policy on two presidential campaigns and was director of economic policy at the American Enterprise Institute.

Embattled.
Photographer: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

In about a week, Texans will vote in a runoff election to decide which Republican will face Democrat James Talarico in November for the chance to serve in the US Senate. Although incumbent Senator John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton could not be more different men, the two are nearly tied in the polls and campaigning on the same message: loyalty to President Donald Trump.

Open Cornyn’s campaign website, and you’ll be met by the words: “Cornyn votes with Trump 99% of the time” and a picture of him and Trump standing shoulder to shoulder.