{"id":698,"date":"2026-05-11T14:40:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:40:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=698"},"modified":"2026-05-11T14:40:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:40:59","slug":"texas-gop-primaries-show-president-donald-trumps-endorsement-power-and-its-limits-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=698","title":{"rendered":"Texas GOP primaries show President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement power, and its limits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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\u2019s crosshairs, it can be career-ending.<\/p>

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That\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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The president also has a tight grip on Texas politics, where over the years he\u2019s supported candidates in local, state and federal contests.<\/p><\/div>

\u201cTrump\u2019s endorsement is still the No. 1 validator for GOP voters,\u201d said Republican political consultant Matthew Langston.<\/p><\/div>

Trump could be saving his most influential Texas move.<\/p><\/div>

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Last week, he said he would \u201cmake a decision, maybe relatively soon\u201d in the Senate runoff May 26 between incumbent Sen. John\u00a0Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.<\/p><\/div>

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\u201cI like them both,\u201d Trump told reporters.<\/p><\/div>

A Trump endorsement would likely propel either\u00a0Cornyn or Paxton, though the president has so far declined to take sides..<\/p><\/div>

Split\u00a0results<\/h2><\/div>

Endorsements can be risky, and Trump sometimes loses.<\/p><\/div>

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In the March 3 primary, Trump and\u00a0Gov. Greg Abbott differed on four major races.<\/p><\/div>

Trump endorsed incumbent Sid Miller in the GOP primary for agriculture commissioner. But Miller lost to Abbott-backed businessman\u00a0Nate Sheets, founder raw honey company.<\/p><\/div>

In the race for comptroller, Trump prevailed with former state Sen. Don\u00a0Huffines, who beat Abbott-supported Kelly Hancock, a former state senator the governor appointed as acting comptroller.<\/p><\/div>

In January, Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican-held Fort Worth-area state Senate seat despite Trump backing Republican Leigh Wambsganss.\u00a0<\/p>

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More tests<\/h2><\/div>

There\u2019s unfinished business in two key congressional races.<\/p><\/div>

In the Houston-area 9th Congressional District runoff, Trump endorsed Alex\u00a0Mealer over Abbott-endorsed state Rep. Briscoe Cain in the newly redrawn district.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

The runoff in the revamped 35th Congressional District includes Trump-endorsed Carlos De La Cruz and Abbott-supported John\u00a0Lujan, a San Antonio state representative.<\/p><\/div>

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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.<\/p><\/div>

Incumbent Rep. Stan\u00a0Kitzman of Pattison lost his primary bid to Dennis \u201cGoose\u201d Geesaman in District 85. And challenger Kristen Plaisance defeated Cecil Bell Jr. of Magnolia in District 3.<\/p><\/div>

November looms<\/h2><\/div>
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Catch up on the latest news and top stories from across North Texas, with updates in the morning and evening.<\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div>