Trump Heads To Texas Days Before Heated GOP Primary As Senate Rivals Await His Backing

President Donald Trump is headed to Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday to tout the administration’s energy policies as a heated Republican Senate primary unfolds in the Lone Star State.

GOP candidates Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt are all expected to attend Trump’s event. The president has declined to publicly endorse, saying earlier this month that he supports “all three.”

When The Daily Wire asked whether Trump plans to back a candidate during the trip, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president “looks forward to returning to the great State of Texas this week to discuss the economy and tout his ‘Drill Baby Drill’ agenda.”

The Republican primary is Tuesday, with a runoff expected on May 26 if no candidate secures a majority. The eventual GOP nominee will face either Rep. Jasmine Crockett or state Sen. James Talarico, who are competing in a closely watched Democratic primary.

Many polls show Paxton leading, though a runoff could shift the dynamics depending on which candidate advances. Paxton is backed by Turning Point Action, while Cornyn, the incumbent, has the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

With just days remaining before the initial vote, each candidate has emphasized alignment with Trump’s agenda.

NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez, backing Cornyn, said that “no one has worked harder than John Cornyn and President Trump to reinvigorate our economy and lower costs for families, workers, and small businesses.”

The Hunt campaign said it is “an honor to welcome the President back to the Lone Star State,” adding that Hunt has “stood with President Trump from the very beginning.”

Trump’s visit comes after Energy Secretary Chris Wright approved a plan allowing more American natural gas to be shipped overseas from a large export site in Corpus Christi.

With the primary just days away, the contest is wide open as Trump, at least for now, remains neutral.