Trump Sits Out as GOP Senate Jockeying Heats Up

BY JOSH DAWSEY AND LINDSAY WISE

WASHINGTON—Texas Sen. John Cornyn and several leading Republican senators asked President Trump to endorse Cornyn earlier this year, hoping to avoid a pricey and explosive primary for the incumbent Republican.

Trump said no—at least not yet. In the weeks that followed, the race in Texas has gotten more complicated for Cornyn, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton jumping in, and Rep. Wesley Hunt also weighing a bid for Senate.

It is becoming a familiar pattern. As the 2026 races start to shape up, Trump has largely rebuffed efforts from Senate Republicans to endorse favored primary candidates and influence competitive contests, according to lawmakers, strategists and others familiar with the discussions. Some of these races are in solidly red states, while others are in battlegrounds that will help determine whether Republicans hang on to their 53-47 majority in the midterms.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chair of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, has encouraged Trump to endorse Republicans that Senate leaders favor for 2026. But the president hasn’t done so, people fa-miliar with the outreach say.

Early endorsements could help ensure the party gets strong candidates in place— and avoid expensive, bruising primary fights that divert funds from critical contests with Democrats.

“I think the president’s got his own timetable, but obviously we’re consulting with him and his team and trying to ensure that we have the best candidates on the field that we think are going to be successful, not only in primary elections, but in general elections,” said Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.), the Senate majority leader. “I just think for him it’s a function of, in some cases, in some of the states, he’s not ready to move yet.”

Several White House officials said they were focused on passing Trump’s multitrillion- dollar agenda that includes tax cuts and spending reductions. Trump wants the package passed and to his desk by July 4. By putting off endorsements, Trump could give senators further incentives to stay in line.

Harrison Fields, a Trump spokesman, said the president’s endorsement record “speaks for itself.” Trump’s current focus is working with Congress to “implement the America First agenda and pass the largest tax cuts in American history,” Fields said.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.), a Trump ally, said the president likes to be on the winning side and might be holding back to see how the races go. “And sometimes he wants to test the candidate, and that’s appropriate,” he said.

Trump’s backing could be critical in a number of states. In the Michigan Senate race, former Rep. Mike Rogers got an early joint endorsement from Scott and Thune, but Trump hasn’t jumped in. Rogers narrowly lost his bid last year for an open Senate seat and is back at it for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.

Rogers, hoping to head off GOP challengers, has hired Chris LaCivita, the co-campaign chairman of Trump’s 2024 bid. But Rep. Bill Huizenga (R., Mich.) said he was considering a run, encouraged by voters and donors in the state. Huizenga said White House officials have told him the president isn’t ready to endorse yet. A Trump adviser said he was leaning toward Rogers.

A nod from Trump “would frankly lend clarity in a big hurry,” Huizenga said.

In North Carolina, Trump has complained about incumbent GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, even suggesting to other Republicans in the past that he needs a primary challenger. North Carolina is seen as one of Democrats’ few pickup opportunities.

Trump was frustrated with Tillis this past week over his opposition to Ed Martin, whom Trump nominated for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin had been a defender of Jan. 6 rioters, and Trump has pardoned almost all of them. Martin withdrew on Thursday because of opposition from Tillis and other Republican senators.

Some Trump advisers have discussed whether another Republican could beat Tillis, but Trump isn’t actively seeking a challenger for him, a person close to the president said.

Tillis said that he wasn’t concerned that Trump has yet to endorse him. “I haven’t asked for it, and it seems very early to me,” said Tillis.

In Louisiana, Trump has long wanted to oust GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial. “I usually don’t reveal personal conversations,” Cassidy said, when asked if he has sought Trump’s endorsement.

The Texas race has the most Republicans concerned, according to senators, White House officials and donors. Cornyn is the safest bet for a general election, but Trump isn’t thrilled with endorsing him, people close to Trump said. At a fundraiser in Texas last year, Trump praised Hunt and Paxton, calling them friends and asking them to stand up.