Trump, AOC loom large with endorsements in Texas primary elections
Tuesday is primary day in Texas, but two New Yorkers are among those who could impact the results.
The most-watched race in the Lone Star State is the Republican primary for attorney general. Incumbent Ken Paxton is seeking a third four-year term, but faces a primary challenge from three other Republicans who see him as a wounded candidate.
“Paxton is under an ethical cloud and possible looming indictment,” says Matthew Wilson, an associate political science professor at Southern Methodist University.
While unconfirmed by the FBI, former Paxton aides say they’re cooperating with the feds in an ongoing criminal investigation into whether the AG used his position to improperly assist a campaign donor, according to the Texas Tribune.
Despite the controversy, former President Donald Trump has given Paxton his full endorsement, which may be enough to put him over the top.
“Paxton has been a full-throated champion of Trump,” says Wilson. “He was also at the [Stop the Steal] rally on Jan. 6. He’s courted the most loyal elements of the base.”
Paxton will square off against fellow Trump loyalist Rep. Louie Gohmert, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush (son of Jeb, nephew of George W., and grandson of George H.W.), and former state Supreme Court Judge Eva Guzman.
The race is expected to come down to a May 24 runoff if Paxton fails to garner at least 50 percent of the vote, with Wilson tipping Bush as his most likely opponent if that happens.
On the Democratic side, the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) may help unseat a sitting congressman. The “Squad” member recently traveled to South Texas to campaign for her protégé, immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros, against conservative Democrat Henry Cuellar.
Cuellar, a critic of the Biden administration’s border policies, is believed to be the subject of an FBI investigation after agents raided his home and campaign office in January.
“He’s in trouble,” Wilson said of Cuellar, who was first elected to Congress in 2004. “The combination of the FBI raid and a low voter turnout election, those tend to favor more extreme factions of a party in primary races.”
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to easily survive a primary challenge from six other candidates including Allen West, a former congressman and chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.
On the Democratic side, Beto O’Rourke — who made high-profile, though unsuccessful, runs for Senate in 2018 and president in 2020 — is heavily favored to emerge from a five-person field.
