President Trump's decision not to endorse before Tuesday's filing deadline means both John Cornyn and Ken Paxton will appear on the May 26 runoff ballot, extending their bitter Republican primary battle. The incumbent senator and state attorney general failed to secure a majority in the March 3 primary, forcing the costly runoff.

Trump's silence came as he focused on the SAVE America Act, a sweeping voter ID bill before the Senate. The president has threatened to punish Republicans who oppose the legislation, and Paxton has signaled he might concede if it passes. Cornyn, a longtime filibuster defender, recently indicated he'd prioritize the bill over Senate procedural rules.

Both campaigns intensified attacks before the deadline. Cornyn released an AI-generated ad targeting Paxton's personal conduct, while Paxton allies ran ads in Florida during Trump's Mar-a-Lago stay. With Trump's endorsement still uncertain and the SAVE America Act debate ongoing, the runoff will proceed as scheduled, setting up a May election that could hinge on Trump's eventual decision and the fate of his voter ID legislation.