Paxton Says He Would Consider Dropping Out of Texas Race if Senate Passes Election Bill

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on March 5 that he would consider dropping out of the Texas GOP Senate primary if the Senate abolishes the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act.

“The Save America Act is the most important bill the U.S. Senate could ever pass, and I’m committed to helping President Trump get it done,” Paxton posted on X. “I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act.”

The SAVE America Act would require voters to present proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections.

The announcement is a step back from Paxton saying on Wednesday that he would not drop out of the race even if President Donald Trump endorses incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Cornyn supports the SAVE America Act.

“No, I’m staying in this race,” Paxton told news outlet Just the News on March 4.

“I owe it to the people of Texas. I’ve spent a year of my life campaigning against John Cornyn because he has not represented the people of Texas well.”

Paxton criticized Cornyn for supporting policies backed by former President Joe Biden.

“He sided with Joe Biden on Second Amendment restrictions. He sided with Joe Biden on bringing Afghan refugees to settle here without vetting them,” he said.

Paxton also accused Cornyn of opposing Trump’s political agenda.

“He’s been against Trump in both of his elections, said he shouldn’t run last time, that his day had passed,” Paxton said.

“He fought him on the border wall and has supported amnesty. Everything that Trump stood for, John Cornyn fought while being a big help to Joe Biden. The people of Texas—at least Republicans—would like something different.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House. The Cornyn campaign declined to comment.

Paxton and Cornyn advanced to a runoff on March 3 after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the Republican primary. Cornyn finished with 41.9 percent, while Paxton received 40.7 percent. Rep. Wesley Hunt placed third with 13.5 percent.

Paxton’s comments come as Trump said on Wednesday he plans to make an endorsement in the race soon.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the primary “cannot, for the good of the party, and [the] country itself, be allowed to go on any longer” and “must stop now.” He urged Republicans to shift their focus to defeating the Democratic nominee, Texas state Rep. James Talarico, whom he described as a “radical left opponent.”

The Talarico campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump also said his endorsements are “virtually insurmountable,” adding that candidates he supports typically “win by a lot, especially in Texas.” He said he would ask the candidate he does not endorse to withdraw from the race.

Although Trump has praised both Paxton and Cornyn, he declined to endorse either candidate before the primary.

“They’re both friends of mine. I like them both,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on April 26, 2025.

“In a way, I wish they weren’t running against each other. But I like Paxton, I like Cornyn. They’re both good people. I’ll make a decision somewhere, but two very good men.”