Trump delivers 11th-hour endorsement in Texas Senate runoff

President Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff on Tuesday, a day after the start of early voting.

Why it matters: Senate Republicans spent months pleading with Trump to endorse incumbent Sen. John Cornyn over Paxton.

• Trump had posted that an endorsement was coming after the March 3 primary and said whoever didn't get his endorsement should drop out. That endorsement didn't materialize at the time.
• But the president faced significant pushback from MAGA allies at the idea of a Cornyn endorsement.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and leadership-allied super PACs spent tens of millions backing Cornyn.

Flashback: Cornyn received the most votes in the primary but did not get a majority. Polling has indicated a tight runoff race.

The big picture: Whoever wins the May 26 runoff will face Democratic nominee James Talarico, who has led both Cornyn and Paxton in recent polling and holds a wide fundraising advantage.

• The Texas Senate race is rated "likely Republican" by Cook Political Report.

What's next: Early voting ends Friday. Election Day is May 26.