Texas Runoff Eve 2026: Trump-Backed Paxton Leads Cornyn | GOP Digest May 25, 2026

Paxton vs. Cornyn, Decision Day Tomorrow:

Tuesday's Texas Senate GOP runoff is too close to call, with Attorney General Ken Paxton holding a narrow 48–45 lead over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the latest University of Houston/Hobby School poll (+/-2.83 pts). Trump endorsed Paxton on May 19, one week before Election Day and during early voting, dealing Cornyn a significant blow. The race carries enormous general-election stakes: Republican voters are evenly split — 43% each — on which candidate has the better shot against Democrat James Talarico in November.

GOP Senate Runoff Set for June 16:

No Republican cleared 50% in Georgia's May 19 Senate primary, setting up a June 16 runoff between Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley. The winner faces incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff, who currently leads both challengers by 5–8 points, though Republicans note the race is early and Ossoff remains below 50%. Rep. Buddy Carter fell short of the runoff after finishing third.

NRCC Posts Best Year-to-Date Haul in Committee History:

The NRCC has raised $57.6 million year-to-date — the highest total in committee history at this point in a cycle — including a $10.4 million April. House Republicans are consistently outraising DCCC counterparts, and swing-district Republican incumbents continue to outraise vulnerable House Democrats one-on-one. The NRSC has also cleared its $26 million in post-2024 debt and is now distributing the FEC-maximum $62,000 to each Republican Senate incumbent up for re-election.

Massie Out, Trump's Pick In:

Rep. Thomas Massie lost his Kentucky primary bid, with Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein projected the winner. The result is a clear signal that Trump's endorsement power remains formidable in GOP primaries even heading into the midterm cycle. Massie had clashed publicly with the President on multiple occasions.

House Democrats Continue Ethics Freefall:

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) resigned from Congress just before an Ethics Committee punishment hearing after the committee found clear and convincing evidence she was guilty of 25 of 27 ethics violation counts, including financial misconduct. Her resignation follows Rep. Eric Swalwell's (D-CA) departure after sexual assault allegations surfaced. Republicans note the pattern of Democratic accountability failures heading into the 2026 midterms. TRUMP vs. SENATE GOP — Anti-Weaponization Fund Feud: Senate Republicans this week pushed back sharply on the White House's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund proposal — with senators calling it "stupid on stilts," "unexplainable," and "utterly stupid, morally wrong." The dispute surfaced alongside a White House push for $1 billion for a new presidential ballroom, straining the GOP legislative agenda ahead of summer. Both sides expressed intent to resolve differences before the August recess.