Just in time for the Texas primary, the Lone Star State is getting a visit from the Commander in Chief. President Trump is coming to Texas today for an event in Corpus Christi that will focus on energy and the economy. Details about the event have not been released, but prominent Texas leaders are expected to attend. Earlier this week, Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement congratulating Trump on the State of the Union address, adding, "I thank President Trump for his leadership and look forward to welcoming him to Texas this Friday—the final Friday of early voting for the 2026 Texas Primary Election."
Abbott's statement noting the president's visit coincides with the final day of early voting for the primaries is not by accident. Trump could provide a boost to Republican voters, who have lagged behind Democrats in turnout since early voting started last week. But Trump's visit also has other strategic goals. "I think he is coming here because this is an economic engine for the entire country, and Texas is critically important," says Christian Collins, conservative commentator and founder of Texas Youth Summit. "Also, it is the last day of early voting and he's got a new map here in Texas with five possible new Congressional seats for Republicans."
Trump is still not expected to make an endorsement in the hotly contested GOP Senate race between Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Congressman Wesley Hunt. "He has his reasons as to why he's stayed out of it so far," says Collins. "I think he has different things he likes about each candidate."
Regardless of who wins that primary and the others, Collins believes Trump's visit can serve to galvanize Republicans about what is at stake, and not taking Texas for granted. "Here in Texas, if we lose this state, as Texas goes so goes the nation," says Collins. "There is no map to the presidency in the future without our electoral votes, we've got to win."
"You look back at 2018 with Beto O'Rourke and Ted Cruz, and that was a scary election for us," he continues. "Whomever the candidate is, we've got to make sure that we win this."
Trump is scheduled to speak at around 3:30 Friday afternoon.
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