Texas GOP primaries show President Donald Trump’s endorsement power, and its limits
When it comes to picking winners in Republican races, President Donald Trump rarely misses.
His endorsement in GOP politics can make or break candidates up and down the ballot. And for those in Trump’s crosshairs, it can be career-ending.
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That’s what happened last week in Indiana, when Trump helped oust at least five of seven Republican candidates who joined the GOP-led Legislature in voting down a mid-decade redistricting plan Trump wanted.
The president also has a tight grip on Texas politics, where over the years he’s supported candidates in local, state and federal contests.
“Trump’s endorsement is still the No. 1 validator for GOP voters,” said Republican political consultant Matthew Langston.
Trump could be saving his most influential Texas move.
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Last week, he said he would “make a decision, maybe relatively soon” in the Senate runoff May 26 between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“I like them both,” Trump told reporters.
A Trump endorsement would likely propel either Cornyn or Paxton, though the president has so far declined to take sides..
Split results
Endorsements can be risky, and Trump sometimes loses.
In the March 3 primary, Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott differed on four major races.
Trump endorsed incumbent Sid Miller in the GOP primary for agriculture commissioner. But Miller lost to Abbott-backed businessman Nate Sheets, founder raw honey company.
In the race for comptroller, Trump prevailed with former state Sen. Don Huffines, who beat Abbott-supported Kelly Hancock, a former state senator the governor appointed as acting comptroller.
In January, Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican-held Fort Worth-area state Senate seat despite Trump backing Republican Leigh Wambsganss.
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More tests
There’s unfinished business in two key congressional races.
In the Houston-area 9th Congressional District runoff, Trump endorsed Alex Mealer over Abbott-endorsed state Rep. Briscoe Cain in the newly redrawn district.
The runoff in the revamped 35th Congressional District includes Trump-endorsed Carlos De La Cruz and Abbott-supported John Lujan, a San Antonio state representative.
In the March primary, Trump won an overwhelming majority of the Texas House Republican races in which he endorsed a candidate. But there were two defeats.
Incumbent Rep. Stan Kitzman of Pattison lost his primary bid to Dennis “Goose” Geesaman in District 85. And challenger Kristen Plaisance defeated Cecil Bell Jr. of Magnolia in District 3.
November looms
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Langston, the consultant, said it’s difficult to have a perfect endorsement record and that “other extenuating factors” can play a role.
“It’s not a rejection of Trump,” he said.
The biggest test could be the November midterm elections.
Trump is trying to buck history and maintain control of Congress. That rarely happens in midterms for the party controlling the White House.
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