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Trumpworld is now turning its attention to the next set of primaries that could have a major impact on the November election Midterm elections. So today all eyes are on what’s next Primary races Republican strategists told me that next on the White House’s list of priorities are: Texas, California, and Maine.
Showdown in Texas
President Donald Trump announced a last-minute endorsement Tuesday in Texas’ Senate primary runoff, throwing his support behind Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn. Trump’s political strategists are already preparing for any repercussions.
The primary will be held on May 26, and the president’s decision to make an endorsement just a week ago caught some of his aides by surprise, sources familiar with the dynamics inside the White House told WIRED. But on Social truthTrump said he supports Paxton because the candidate “has been through a lot.”
In fact, Paxton did just that. In 2023, it is He faced impeachment fees; he He took a plea deal in 2024 He paid nearly $300,000 in restitution — without admitting guilt — to avoid a felony securities fraud prosecution. And in 2025, it was Accused of adultery by his wifewho filed for divorce “for clerical reasons.” He also faced many years Federal grand jury investigation In his alleged abuse of office, which the Justice Department shut down without charges in the final weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency.
Paxton’s burdens mean that if he defeats Cornyn, as many in Washington now expect after Trump’s endorsement, it will have consequences for Republicans later in the midterm elections, and for the White House in its dealings with Congress.
Chief among the concerns is whether Paxton’s history and framing as a MAGA candidate might be too objectionable to voters in the general election in November, making Democrats more energized because they see Paxton as easier to beat than Cornyn.
As a result, if Democratic candidate James Talarico can emulate Beto O’Rourke in 2018 and post big fundraising numbers from small-money donors, Republicans will need to respond by spending more on themselves — money that could have been used for weak Republicans in other races.
Meanwhile, the White House will now have to focus on whether Trump’s endorsement will upend the dynamics in the Senate for the next six months leading up to the midterms, two longtime Republican campaign strategists told WIRED.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, who appears to be angry with Trump after losing the Louisiana primary last week, has already started Explaining his opposition of the President’s legislative priorities. The fear is that Cornyn may soon feel the same way.
“It’s short-sighted thinking,” says one Republican strategist who worked on Trump’s 2024 campaign and spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Cornyn has been a reliable vote on big issues and now Trump is risking fights in the Senate.”
The problem with the slim Senate majority (53-47) is that it would only take two disaffected Republicans, plus Cassidy and Cornyn, to vote with Democrats to prevent Trump from using congressional funds to pay for his chambers or take further military action in Iran.
Finally, Trump World is watching the potential ramifications within Trump’s orbit if Paxton wins.
Trump’s 2024 campaign co-chairman Chris Lacivita and 2024 pollster Tony Fabrizio both work on Cornyn’s campaign. Within minutes of Trump’s endorsement of Paxton, La Civita’s longtime foe, Corey Lewandowski, appeared. Published on X Announcing the death of the Cornyn campaign.
The White House declined to comment on the races they were tracking, referring WIRED to President Paxton’s endorsement.
Curiosity in California
As the White House monitors the final week of the campaign in Texas, some Trumpworld campaign strategists tell WIRED they are also monitoring what happens in the primary for California’s governor’s race scheduled for June 2.
Interest in the race has been mostly academic, as they expect the seat to remain solidly Democratic. But California uses a primary system in which the two leading candidates — regardless of their party — advance to the general election in November.
