Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Tuesday said she was “disappointed” with President Trump’s decision to endorse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Lone Star State’s GOP primary, where incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is at risk of losing his seat.
“I don’t understand. He is an ethically challenged individual,” Collins said of Paxton, who was charged with defrauding investors in a Dallas-area tech startup before he completed a pretrial diversion program.
“John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved, in my judgment, the president’s support. Obviously it’s the president’s call but I’m disappointed that he did it,” Collins said.
Collins said she’s unsure if Paxton will actually become the party’s nominee despite Trump’s endorsement.
“I have no idea,” she said when asked who would win the primary.
“I don’t know what the primary outcome will be, despite the president’s endorsement. I still hope that John Cornyn will win. He deserves to win,” she added.
Hypothetical polls show state Rep. James Talarico (D-Texas), the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat, in dead heat with Cornyn and Paxton ahead of the November general election.
Trump’s endorsement comes on the first day of early voting for the primary runoff.
Early voting ends on Friday, days before the runoff on May 26.
While Cornyn works to keep his seat, Collins is facing an uphill battle against political newcomer Graham Platner (D) in Maine.
Platner is the likely Democratic nominee after Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) dropped out of the Senate race last month.
The president has not endorsed Collins for reelection.
