President Donald Trump hinted Friday that he has finalized his decision on an endorsement in the high-stakes Texas Republican Senate primary, though he stopped short of naming a preferred candidate during a high-energy appearance at the Port of Corpus Christi.
With only four days remaining until the March 3 primary, the President’s visit to the Coastal Bend served as both a policy platform for his “American Energy Dominance” agenda and a pivotal moment for three GOP heavyweights: incumbent Senator John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt.
“I’ve pretty much made up my mind,” Trump told reporters when pressed on the three-way race. When asked if he would reveal the name before voters head to the polls Tuesday, he responded, “No, not yet.”
A Three-Way Battle for the MAGA Mantle
The Texas primary has evolved into a proxy war for the future of the Republican Party. While Senator Cornyn is seeking a fifth term, he faces a significant insurgency from the right.
- John Cornyn: Attempted to project unity Friday by traveling with the President on Air Force One. However, he remains under fire from the party’s base for past bipartisan cooperation on gun legislation and his initial skepticism of Trump’s 2024 campaign.
- Ken Paxton: The embattled Attorney General, who survived a 2023 impeachment trial, has positioned himself as the ultimate “America First” warrior. Despite lingering legal controversies, he maintains a loyal following among hardline conservatives.
- Wesley Hunt: The Houston-area Congressman has campaigned as a fresh, loyalist voice, hoping to siphon enough support to force a runoff.
“They’re in a little race together. You know that? A little bit of a race,” Trump remarked during his speech, acknowledging Cornyn and Paxton, who were both in attendance.
Polling Shows No Clear Majority
The latest data suggests the race is headed for a potential overtime. A University of Texas at Tyler poll conducted Feb. 13–22 reveals a fluid electorate:
| Candidate | Support Percentage |
| John Cornyn | 41% |
| Ken Paxton | 35% |
| Wesley Hunt | 15% |
| Undecided | 9% |
Under Texas law, if no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote on Tuesday, the top two finishers will advance to a secondary runoff election this spring.
Energy Policy and “The Gulf of America”
Standing before massive oil tankers draped in campaign banners, Trump rebranded the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” His address focused on the rollback of clean-energy mandates and the expansion of domestic drilling, which he argued is the cornerstone of U.S. national security.
“I said I want to go to Texas. I love Texas,” Trump told the crowd of approximately 400 supporters. “It just represents something special—success.”
While the President focused on energy, attendees highlighted local anxieties. Water scarcity emerged as a primary concern for coastal residents, following tensions with Mexico over Rio Grande water deliveries. While Trump did not detail a specific water policy, GOP Representative Monica De La Cruz energized the crowd by praising the administration’s pressure on Mexico regarding water treaties.
The Democratic Challenge
On the other side of the aisle, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico are locked in a contentious Democratic primary. National Democrats are closely watching the results, hoping a fractured GOP field or a Paxton victory—whom they view as more vulnerable in a general election—could flip the seat in November.
As the clock ticks toward Tuesday, the political weight of a “Trump Bump” remains the most sought-after prize in Texas. Whether the President delivers that endorsement via social media in the coming hours or remains on the sidelines could determine if John Cornyn survives the night or faces a grueling multi-month runoff.
Trump Teases Texas Senate Endorsement in Corpus Christi as Primary Race Tightens
