Trump-backed Ken Paxton beats incumbent John Cornyn in GOP primary runoff for Texas Senate seat
Catch up with NBC News Clone on today's hot topic: Rcrd110597 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone. Our editorial team reformatted this story for clarity and speed.
Today’s contests also included runoffs in House primaries, including one in which two Democratic incumbents faced each other in a matchup forced by GOP-led redistricting.
What to know today
- TEXAS SENATE RACE: State Attorney General Ken Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn to win the GOP nomination, NBC News projects. Paxton, who secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week, will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.
- INCUMBENT VS. INCUMBENT: First-term Rep. Christian Menefee defeated longtime Rep. Al Green in the Democratic primary runoff in Texas’ 18th Congressional District, NBC News projects. The rare incumbent-on-incumbent matchup was sparked by Republican-led redistricting efforts.
- S.C. GOP REJECTS TRUMP-BACKED MAP: The Republican-led South Carolina Senate voted against a measure to advance a new congressional map — a surprise rejection of Trump's push to redraw the state's U.S. House districts.
- WALTER REED VISIT: Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, this morning for what a White House official said would be medical and dental exams. It’s his third checkup at Walter Reed in a little over a year.
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Paxton thanked his supporters and Trump, calling his endorsement “the most powerful force in politics.”
John Cornyn undone by past Trump misgivings after decades as a loyal party man
Ahead of his Republican primary runoff today, Cornyn highlighted a photo of himself standing next to Trump as his pinned post on X. He boosted one post disputing that he’s “disloyal” to Trump and another about voting “yes on every major Trump law.”
The posts captured an important side of Cornyn: a loyal Republican soldier, standing with his party’s leader. There’s no disputing that Cornyn’s voting record was almost perfectly aligned with Trump.
The lopsided victory for Paxton in the election results captured an important reality of the GOP in 2026, too: That’s not enough.
Trump jumped in last week to issue a late endorsement for Paxton, who ultimately defeated him tonight. In January, Cornyn’s 24-year Senate career will come to an end.
Colin Allred wins the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 33rd Congressional District, NBC News projects
Colin Allred wins the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 33rd Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Carlos De La Cruz wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas' 35th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Carlos De La Cruz wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas' 35th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Johnny Garcia wins the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 35th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Johnny Garcia wins the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 35th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Talarico reacts to Senate GOP runoff, calls November 'the people versus Ken Paxton'
James Talarico, the Democratic Senate nominee in Texas, characterized Paxton tonight as corrupt and branded this fall’s matchup as “the people versus Ken Paxton.”
Talarico cited Paxton’s past impeachment by Texas House Republicans (he was later acquitted by the state Senate) and accused him of “using his public office to enrich himself and his donors at the expense of the people.”
“If we, the people, can come together to defeat the most corrupt politician in America. We can defeat this entire corrupt system. We can start unrigging this economy. We can start raising our pay, cutting our taxes, lowering our costs,” Talarico said in a video posted on X shortly after polls closed.
“We can finally get ahead. It’s time to come together. The people versus Ken Paxton,” Talarico added.
In a separate post, Talarico thanked Cornyn for his years representing Texas and made an appeal to his supporters.
"We don’t agree on everything, but we both still believe in public service," Talarico wrote. "To Senator Cornyn’s supporters: you have a place in our campaign."
Mayes Middleton wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas attorney general, NBC News projects
State Sen. Mayes Middleton has won the Republican primary runoff for Texas attorney general, NBC News projects. Middleton, a wealthy oilman who plowed millions of his personal wealth into his bid, ran deeply critical of his opponent, Rep. Chip Roy, over his past breaks with Trump.
Cornyn says he'll support Paxton in November: 'I trust the voters of Texas'
Cornyn conceded the race with a brief speech to reporters in Austin, where he pledged to support Paxton in the general election in November.
"I’ve spent most of my time in the Senate building, the Republican Party in Texas and in the U.S. Senate, and I’ve always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again this general election," Cornyn said.
"I’ve said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they’ve made their decision, and I must respect it," he added.
Cornyn, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, spoke briefly about the work he did in Washington, including working to pass "a number of historic tax reform bills" and helping confirm conservative judges.
"There's a simple rule in elections — you've heard me say it before — and that is the candidate who gets the most votes wins," Cornyn said. "The party in the majority gets to govern, and my hope is to keep my party in power for generations. I am an optimist by nature, which is just another way of saying I am a Texan."
Alex Mealer wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas' 9th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Alex Mealer wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas' 9th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
NBC News’ Steve Kornacki breaks down the results in the Democratic primary runoff in Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
A somber scene at Cornyn's primary night event
The room here told the story before results ever came in. This was never intended to be a watch party — it’s all media by design. No balloons, no music, no fanfare, not even any supporters.
Ken Paxton wins the Republican Senate primary runoff in Texas, NBC News projects.
Ken Paxton wins the Republican Senate primary runoff in Texas, NBC News projects.
All polls in Texas are now closed
As of 9 p.m. ET, all polls in Texas are closed.
Most polls in the state closed at 8 p.m. ET.
Tom Sell wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas's 19th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Tom Sell wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas's 19th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Also on the ballot tonight: Trump v. Abbott
There are two Republican House primaries in Texas tonight where Trump's pick is up against a candidate backed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
In the 9th Congressional District, military veteran Alex Mealer is the Trump-backed candidate, while state Rep. Briscoe Cain has the support of Abbott.
And in the 35th Congressional District, Trump-backed Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz is running against Abbott-backed state Rep. John Lujan.
Jon Bonck wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas' 38th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Jon Bonck wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas' 38th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Incumbent Christian Menefee wins the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 18th Congressional District, NBC News projects
Incumbent Christian Menefee wins the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 18th Congressional District, NBC News projects.
Early results with good signs for Paxton
Early votes counted so far in Texas are promising signs for Paxton, particularly in some of the key counties to watch.
Take Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth.
Cornyn won it in the March 3 primary, when it cast the second-most votes of any county in the state, with 45% of the vote.
But with a majority of tonight's expected vote in so far, Paxton is trouncing Cornyn in Tarrant County, 59%-41%.
Trump's endorsement of Paxton will put his influence to the test against incumbent Cornyn. NBC News' Steve Kornacki and the Houston Chronicle's Jeremy Wallace break down the polls.
Polls in most of Texas close
Voters depart after casting their ballots in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday. Kaylee Greenlee / Bloomberg via Getty Images
Most polls in Texas have closed at 8 p.m. ET.
Polls in some western parts of the state — El Paso and Hudspeth counties — will remain open for another hour.
Vance opens up about his faith journey — and Usha’s central role
Vice President JD Vance had, in his words, a “vicious editor” for his new book: second lady Usha Vance.
“She doesn’t sugarcoat things,” Vance said of his wife today in an interview. “She’s very direct.”
Usha Vance, he added, was heavily involved in nearly every facet of shaping “Communion,” which HarperCollins is set to release June 16. She helped “harmonize different chapters” and excise parts that “didn’t add anything of value.” She also played a meaningful role in the memoir’s narrative — a Hindu wife who encouraged her searching husband throughout his faith journey from Protestant to atheist to Catholic convert.
“Fundamentally, the book wouldn’t exist without her,” said Vance, speaking by telephone in his first interview to preview the book. “I talk about this in the book. There is a certain irony to it, because she is not herself a Christian. But I certainly, I don’t think, would be a Christian today were it not for my wife.”
Trump administration floats requiring all federal workers to sign NDAs
The Trump administration is proposing a rule to require federal workers to sign nondisclosure agreements, according to a draft notice the Office of Personnel Management posted today.
“OPM believes that a governmentwide NDA form will promote consistency across Government, better protect confidential information, and better inform Federal employees of their rights and obligations regarding confidential information,” says the notice, which was posted to the Federal Register.
It also says it’s needed to combat “unauthorized disclosures” to the media, citing in part reporting last year about OPM’s controversial efforts to make it easier to fire government employees.
“Such disclosures risk chilling candid interagency feedback, disrupting orderly decision-making, and weakening trust within and among Federal agencies,” the notice says.
Cornyn defends his Senate record as voters cast ballots in Texas
Cornyn defended his record in an interview today, arguing that he votes for Trump’s agenda in the Senate the vast majority of the time and that Trump's decision not to endorse him in the GOP primary was not a personal one.
Cornyn said that he votes with Trump “99.3%” of the time and that Trump’s decision to endorse Paxton was a sign of his broader frustration with the Senate.
He also insisted that he is not like other incumbents who lost their seats this year after having failed to win Trump’s endorsement, like Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
“In Louisiana, Bill Cassidy voted to convict the president, and I think that obviously led to his endorsement of his opponent. Thomas Massie, in Kentucky, obviously has been opposed to the president and his agenda across the board,” Cornyn said.
“Conversely, I’ve been supportive of the president, and I think I’ve been a good partner for him. So I do think it’s more it’s not so much about me personally. I think it’s more his frustration,” he added.
Asked why Trump has called him “disloyal,” Cornyn said he has “a different interpretation of the facts” from Trump’s, adding “Texans are the only ones who get to vote, so I’ve been taking my appeal and my case directly to them.”
In remarks about Democratic nominee James Talarico’s fundraising, Cornyn said Democrats have funneled money into the race because they see it as a potential for Texas to elect a statewide Democrat for the first time since 1994.
“I’ve spent most of my adult career trying to build the Republican Party in Texas to what it is today, but a scandal-ridden candidate like Ken Paxton, with all the baggage that he brings, puts all that at risk,” Cornyn said.
Congressional Black Caucus pushes companies to oppose GOP redistricting push
The Congressional Black Caucus today called on major corporations across the U.S., including those that previously expressed support for voting rights and racial justice, to oppose redistricting efforts by Republican-led states that seek to eliminate majority-Black U.S. House districts.
Members of the Black Caucus urged more than 250 companies in a letter to condemn the redistricting efforts, which the lawmakers describe as “coordinated efforts to silence Black voices at the ballot box.” Some of the companies had co-signed their own message to Congress five years ago urging lawmakers to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a Democratic proposal to restore and update the Voting Rights Act.
Cabinet meeting to be held at White House instead of Camp David, Trump says
Trump said tomorrow's Cabinet meeting will no longer be held at Camp David, Maryland, as had been planned.
Trump cited “possible bad weather conditions” on Truth Social this afternoon.
The meeting will instead take place at the White House, Trump said, adding that a Cabinet trip to Camp David is being postponed.
Florida judge rules DeSantis-drawn congressional lines can be used for midterms
A Florida judge said today that a new Florida congressional map drawn by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration can be used for the 2026 midterms, a ruling that will be appealed to the state’s high court.
The new map, on paper, boosts Republican-leaning seats from 20 to 24. Florida has 28 congressional districts.
At a lengthy hearing this month, a group of plaintiffs challenging the map argued that the new congressional lines were at odds with Florida’s so-called Fair Districts amendment, which state voters passed in 2010 and prevents new redistricting maps that help a particular political party.
Those groups relied on public comments from DeSantis administration map-drawer Jason Poreda, in which he acknowledged he used political data when he drew the maps. The plaintiffs argued that was at odds with Fair Districts.
State Circuit Judge Joshua Hawkes disagreed that the admission was enough to block the map from being implemented.
“The statement is not direct evidence of impermissible intent,” he wrote. “That is, Mr. Poreda did not say that he drew district lines to favor or disfavor an incumbent or party.”
Hawkes said Poreda’s comments were “circumstantial,” even as he acknowledged that plaintiffs made “several compelling points” at the initial hearing. Those plaintiffs argue that the current map, also drawn by the DeSantis administration in 2022, should be left in place for the midterm elections.
DeSantis quickly celebrated the ruling, posting on social media, “Let’s roll!”
DeSantis has argued that his administration does not need to follow Fair Districts because language in those constitutional amendments is at odds with federal law because of language that protects minority access seats — a position strengthened after a U.S. Supreme Court decision sharply limited using race in redistricting.
DeSantis has acknowledged he hopes the Florida Supreme Court, to which he has appointed a majority of the justices, will overturn the Fair Districts provisions.
Groups challenging the new map criticized the ruling.
“In a loss for Florida voters, a DeSantis-appointed judge greenlit the GOP’s newly enacted gerrymander for use in the 2026 midterms,” posted Democracy Docket, an online platform founded by attorney Marc Elias, who has challenged Republican-drawn congressional maps across the country. “The ruling comes after pro-voting groups argued there was 'staggering' evidence the map violates a state ban on partisan gerrymandering.”
‘I’m from Miami,’ but ‘it’s hot’: Rubio tours India as temperatures soar past 100 degrees
Summers in New Delhi can be brutal, even for Floridians used to the heat.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India over the weekend to a blast of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, kicking off a four-day trip that included meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the foreign ministers of India, Australia and Japan, as well as a midday tour of the Taj Mahal that drew expressions of sympathy from social media users worried that Rubio might wilt in the heat.
Vance calls Pope Leo’s AI warnings ‘profound’
Vice President JD Vance praised Pope Leo XIV for issuing a new theological document rife with warnings about unbridled advancements in AI.
The text, Leo’s first encyclical since he became pope last year, urged a restraint that doesn’t stop progress but, rather, functions as the “exercise of responsible care for the human family.”
South Carolina’s redistricting effort fails in the state Senate amid GOP opposition
The Republican-led South Carolina Senate today voted against a measure to advance a new congressional map, ending the last-minute redistricting effort in the state for now.
The motion to end debate — which failed on a vote of 20-24 — was a surprise rejection of Trump, who had urged lawmakers to pass a redrawn map that would have eliminated the state’s single majority-Black district and given Republicans a chance to win the seat.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss defends his criticism of Graham Platner
Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., pushed back today against criticism of his suggestion that Democrats in Maine not vote for their party's presumptive nominee for the Senate, Graham Platner.
Auchincloss drew criticism that his comments in an interview yesterday on CNN’s “The Arena” could help Republican Sen. Susan Collins, with some critics suggesting he should face a primary challenger.
Auchincloss said in the interview that Platner's chest tattoo, a skull and crossbones that resembled a Nazi symbol, and his comments about it are "personally disqualifying." Platner covered up the tattoo last year after he launched his campaign, saying he was unaware of the similarity to the Nazi Totenkopf symbol and adding that he was "a lifelong opponent" of Nazism.
In response to the criticisms of his remarks on CNN, Auchincloss said on X that "Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history. Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers. As I said months ago, I find Platner’s Nazi tattoo and his commentary about it personally disqualifying. If it were me I’d vote for someone else in the Maine Democratic primary."
"Regardless of what happens in Maine, Democrats need to take back the Senate and I’ll keep working hard to make it happen," he added.
Trump says 'Everything checked out PERFECTLY' during physical at Walter Reed
Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Everything checked out PERFECTLY" during his physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today.
"Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY. Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House," wrote Trump, who will turn 80 in a few weeks.
It was Trump's third visit to the medical center for a health checkup in his second term. The exam today was expected to be both a medical and a dental checkup, according to a White House official.
Trump departs Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today. Win McNamee / Getty Images
James Comey’s seashells photo trial set for October
Former FBI Director James Comey will go on trial in October over a photo he posted of seashells, provided the Trump administration’s case against him survives forthcoming legal challenges.
In an order today, U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan set Oct. 21 as a trial date in Comey’s case, which revolves around a photo he posted on Instagram showing seashells in the formation of “8647.” A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina indicted Comey in April, alleging that the seashell image was “a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States.” Restaurant veterans have said “86” is “everyday lingo” that can mean an item has run out or should be removed from the menu.
Trump to hold Cabinet meeting at Camp David
Trump plans to host a Cabinet meeting tomorrow at Camp David, a White House official said.
It would be his 11th announced Cabinet gathering. The New York Post was first to report the meeting.
Most events at Camp David are not open to the news media.
Trump president mused about the possibility of holding the meeting at the presidential retreat in Maryland few weeks ago, saying, “It’s a special place, and I think we should have our next meeting, the full meeting, at Camp David.”
Trump’s third doctor visit in 13 months puts spotlight on his health
Trump is visiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what a White House official called “a medical and dental checkup.” It is his third visit in 13 months, putting a fresh spotlight on the president’s health ahead of his 80th birthday in June. NBC News’ Garrett Haake reports for "TODAY."
Supreme Court rejects NFL’s bid to move Black coach’s bias claims into arbitration
The Supreme Court this morning turned away a bid by the NFL to move a Black coach’s racial discrimination claims out of federal court and into arbitration proceedings controlled by the league.
The justices declined to hear an appeal the league and three of its teams filed after a lower court ruled that the National Football League cannot force Brian Flores, the former Miami Dolphins head coach and current Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, to arbitrate workplace bias claims through a process overseen by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Federal court blocks Alabama from using GOP-drawn congressional map
A three-judge panel today blocked a Republican-drawn congressional map in Alabama from going into effect, writing that the district lines “intentionally discriminated based on race in violation of the Constitution.”
“We cannot see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination,” the panel of federal judges wrote.
Supreme Court rejects Michigan police officer’s bid to toss out an excessive force claim from a George Floyd protest
The Supreme Court this morning rejected a Michigan police officer’s attempt to evade an excessive force claim arising from an incident that took place during a protest in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing.
The court turned away an appeal brought by Phillip Reinink, a police officer in Grand Rapids, who deployed tear gas during a May 30, 2020, disturbance just days after Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis.
Reinink says he thought his launcher was loaded with a form of tear gas powder that can be fired directly at someone, but it was instead a canister designed to be fired into the air. The canister hit Sean Hart and injured his shoulder.
U.S. launches new strikes in Iran, targeting boats and missile launchers
The U.S. military carried out new strikes in Iran near the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, claiming self-defense as the two sides continued talks on an elusive deal to end the war.
The attacks were “self-defense strikes” and included “missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines,” said U.S. Central Command spokesman Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins. They took place in Bandar Abbas, in southern Iran, near the Strait of Hormuz, a defense official said.
There was no announcement of any change in the temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which went into effect April 8. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Hawkins said.
Supreme Court tosses Florida lawsuit against states for driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants
The Supreme Court this morning threw out a long-shot lawsuit in which Florida sought to sue the states of California and Washington for allegedly allowing people who entered the country illegally to obtain commercial truck driver licenses.
Florida’s claim was filed in the aftermath of a high-profile crash in Florida last year in which a truck driven by an Indian man, Harjinder Singh, was involved in an accident that left three people dead. The state, which says Singh did not have legal status in the United States, alleges he was wrongly issued licenses in both California and Washington. Singh faces criminal charges over the incident.
Sen. John Cornyn argues he's a Trump 'ally' as Texans cast ballots in primary runoff
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in an interview this morning that he's an "ally" of Trump's despite the president's endorsement of his GOP primary challenger, Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas.
"I’ve supported the president’s agenda the whole time that I, that he’s been president," Cornyn said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" as Texans vote in the GOP primary runoff today.
"I’m proud of the fact that we confirmed hundreds of supreme justices, including three new Supreme Court justices. I was the whip, or the chief vote counter, during his first term when we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the Working Family Tax Cuts Act," Cornyn said, defending his record in Congress.
"So I’ve been an ally of the president," he added. "He’s called me a friend. I understand he’s made his choice ... but only Texans get a chance to vote in this primary."
After ticking through some of the controversies that surrounded Paxton in the past, the senator said he nevertheless would support the Republican ticket in November if he loses the runoff election.
While Cornyn has largely backed Trump's agenda, there have been times when he hasn't enthusiastically supported the president or his goals. It took him a while, for example, to announce support for ending the Senate filibuster as Trump said was necessary to pass the SAVE America Act, a sweeping election overhaul bill.
In the 2016 presidential primary, Cornyn remained neutral instead of endorsing Trump for the GOP ticket, and the senator was slow to back him in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump arrives at Walter Reed for a checkup
Trump has arrived at Walter Reed for a scheduled medical and dental checkup, his third in-person doctor's visit in a little over a year.
The in-person appointments, which include visits in October and April of last year, have focused public attention on the health status of the president, who turns 80 next month.
President Donald Trump departs the White House this morning. Will Oliver / Pool via Shutterstock
Rep. Jake Auchincloss draws criticism for urging Democrats not to vote for Graham Platner
Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., said in an interview on CNN's "The Arena" yesterday that he finds Graham Platner's "tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying."
"I hope Maine voters agree with me," he added. "I think that would be a mistake for the Democratic Party to think that Graham Platner's brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country."
Platner, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, has received criticism for an old chest tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, which he covered up after receiving criticism for it after launching his campaign.
Platner has said that he is not a Nazi and "at no point in this entire experience of my life did anybody ever once say, 'Hey, you’re a Nazi,'" when seeing his tattoo.
In October, Auchincloss called for Platner to drop out of the race. His recent comments sparked controversy, with some calling for him to face a primary challenger.
Saikat Chakrabarti, a Democrat running for Pelosi's seat, said in a post to X that Auchincloss "is essentially endorsing Susan Collins in Maine," referring to the Republican incumbent.
"Absolutely no excuse for a Democrat in the House to back a Republican for Senate in a crucial swing seat," he said. "Auchincloss should be primaried."
DNC faces criticism for Memorial Day post on service members killed in the war with Iran
The Democratic National Committee faced online criticism on Memorial Day for a social media post that honored "Americans who have died in Trump's war with Iran."
The post, which has since been deleted, showed photos of the service members who were killed and was criticized for its political tone on a holiday for commemorating fallen troops.
"This is one of the most classless, disrespectful, and vile posts using America’s fallen warriors as props to try to score cheap political points against President Trump," the Pentagon said in a social media post. "Their sacrifice should NEVER be exploited, especially on Memorial Day."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., also criticized the post, calling it "incredibly distasteful."
"This incredibly distasteful to use our heroic dead for a political attack on Memorial Day," Duckworth, a veteran, said in a post to X. "I’m a Dem and I condemn this distasteful post by the DNC."
Massie files paperwork to run in 2028, says he hasn’t made a ‘final decision’ about his political future
Fresh off last week’s primary loss, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., announced yesterday he had filed paperwork for a 2028 run for the House — or something else.
“I filed with the [Federal Election Commission] for the 2028 House race. This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office,” Massie wrote on X.
“I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run,” he added.
Dallas County returns to countywide voting for runoff after March primary chaos
After thousands of people showed up at the wrong place to vote in the March primary, Dallas County voters can again choose any polling site in the county to cast ballots in today's runoff.
The Dallas County GOP forced the county to move to precinct-based voting for Election Day in March as part of a plan to hand-count its ballots for the primary.
The plan — which was motivated by conspiracy theories about the accuracy of voting machines — was abandoned when it proved too labor-intensive and costly. Still, voters nonetheless had to go to their assigned precincts to cast ballots during the March election.
The change proved chaotic. After years of countywide voting, many voters went to the wrong polling sites. Democrats went to court in pursuit of extended voting hours, which were granted but then revoked when the state’s top court weighed in.
Then-Dallas County Republican Party Chairman Allen West announced they would return to countywide voting in mid-March. That angered some in his party, who sued to try to maintain precinct-level voting. Last month, West resigned amid the controversy.
Trump to visit Walter Reed for the third checkup of his second term
Trump plans to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, today for a medical and dental checkup, a White House official said yesterday.
It will be Trump’s third in-person doctor’s visit in a little over a year. He went to Walter Reed twice last year, in April and October. He also visited his dentist in West Palm Beach, Florida, twice this year — first in January and then again this month for a follow-up.
What to watch in Tuesday’s Texas primary runoffs
Today's primary runoffs in Texas will put Trump’s endorsement to the test again — the latest step in a mission to punish some incumbent Republicans Trump has deemed insufficiently loyal.
Texas also has a slew of House primary runoffs on tap today, including one in a battleground district where a secretive group with some Republican links has spent to boost a controversial Democrat. Two Democratic incumbents could also lose House primaries, and a handful of winners in solidly Republican seats are likely to be heading to Congress next year.
Polls in most of the state close at 8 p.m. ET, and the full state closes at 9 p.m. ET. Here are the major races to watch.Read the full story here.
