Republicans are facing growing concerns over a closely contested U.S. Senate race in Texas, and President Donald Trump is now publicly criticizing members of his own party as new polling raises questions about the GOP’s chances in November.
What was once expected to be a relatively safe Republican Senate seat has become one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 midterm elections.
With Republican nominee Ken Paxton struggling to establish a consistent polling lead over Democratic challenger James Talarico, disagreements within the GOP are spilling into the public spotlight.
And rather than directing all his attention toward Democrats, Trump is accusing prominent Republicans of making the situation worse.
Trump Blames Top Republicans for Texas Senate Troubles
According to reporting from The Hill and Axios, Trump has singled out Republican Sen. John Cornyn and longtime political strategist Karl Rove over their involvement in the Texas Senate race.
The president believes the two Republicans have contributed to the challenges facing Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in a bitter Republican primary earlier this year.
Trump’s criticism reflects lingering disagreements between the party’s establishment wing and Republicans who support Paxton’s political approach.
The primary contest exposed significant divisions over which candidate would be best positioned to keep the Senate seat in Republican hands.
Although Paxton emerged victorious, tensions surrounding the election have continued.
Cornyn has remained critical of Paxton’s candidacy, while Trump has made clear that he wants Republicans focused on defeating Talarico rather than continuing their internal disagreements.
The public dispute comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with Election Day approaching and control of the Senate hanging in the balance.
New Texas Polling Delivers Warning to GOP
Recent surveys suggest Republicans have reason to take the Texas contest seriously.
A CBS News/YouGov poll released October 18 found Talarico receiving 51% support compared with 49% for Paxton among likely voters.
That narrow difference falls within the survey’s margin of error, making the race statistically close.
Meanwhile, a University of Houston poll showed Talarico leading Paxton 48% to 46%.
However, not every survey has favored the Democrat. An InsiderAdvantage poll conducted in mid-October showed Paxton holding a narrow lead.
The mixed results indicate that neither candidate can confidently claim victory at this stage.
The uncertainty is particularly significant because Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988.
Republicans have relied on the state’s conservative voting history for decades, making the possibility of a Democratic victory an important national political story.
Why Republicans Are Divided Over Ken Paxton
Paxton’s nomination has been controversial within Republican circles.
As Texas attorney general, he built a reputation for challenging Democratic administrations and supporting conservative legal positions.
Those efforts helped establish his standing among many Republican voters.
However, his political career has also included personal controversies and legal disputes that critics argue could affect his appeal among independent voters.
In 2023, the Texas House impeached Paxton, but the Texas Senate subsequently acquitted him.
His supporters have continued defending his record, while opponents have questioned whether he can attract enough support outside the Republican base to win a competitive statewide election.
These disagreements played a major role in the Republican primary against Cornyn.
Now, with the general election approaching, Republicans face the challenge of bringing competing factions together behind their nominee.
Trump’s criticism of Cornyn and Rove has brought those divisions back into the spotlight.
Democrats See an Opportunity in Republican Stronghold
For Democrats, the increasingly competitive race represents an opportunity to win a Senate seat in a state where the party has experienced decades of statewide election defeats.
Talarico has attempted to appeal to voters concerned about household expenses, government accountability, and the direction of the state.
Recent polling suggests economic concerns and perceptions of the candidates’ personal character could influence the election.
Republicans, meanwhile, are emphasizing their policy priorities and the importance of maintaining GOP representation in Washington.
Texas still has a substantial Republican voting base, and Trump carried the state comfortably during the 2024 presidential election.
That history gives Paxton a potential advantage if Republican voters turn out in large numbers.
However, the latest polls indicate that past election results alone cannot determine what happens in November.
Texas Senate Race Could Affect Trump’s Agenda
The consequences of the Texas election could extend far beyond the state’s borders.
Republicans currently hold a Senate majority, providing Trump with an important advantage as he pursues his legislative and administrative priorities.
A Republican defeat in Texas would give Democrats an additional opportunity to narrow that majority.
Senate control plays a critical role in confirming federal judges, approving presidential nominees, and advancing major legislation.
The election is therefore important not only for Texas voters but also for the balance of power in Washington.
With competitive Senate contests unfolding in several states, every closely contested seat could become significant.
For Republicans, holding Texas would preserve a seat the party has controlled for decades.
For Democrats, winning would mark a major political breakthrough.
GOP Faces Growing Pressure Ahead of November Election
The situation leaves Republicans facing two immediate challenges: improving Paxton’s standing among voters and addressing disagreements within their own party.
Trump’s public criticism of Cornyn and Rove shows how tensions from the Republican primary continue to influence the general election.
Still, the race remains undecided.
Polling advantages of just a few percentage points can disappear through changes in turnout, voter enthusiasm, or late campaign developments.
With Election Day scheduled for November 3, both parties have limited time to make their final arguments to Texas voters.
The outcome could provide an important indication of Republican strength heading into the remainder of Trump’s presidency.
For now, the increasingly public blame game demonstrates that some Republicans are worried about the possibility of an unexpected defeat in one of America’s most reliably Republican states.
And with the stakes rising, the final decision will rest with Texas voters.