GOP Eyes Trump Alliance as High-Stakes Primaries Begin in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas

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The Republican National Committee and GOP are buzzing with high-stakes primaries kicking off today in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas, just days after President Trump's launch of Operation Epic Fury, a major U.S.-Israel strike on Iran's intercontinental ballistic missiles. House Speaker Mike Johnson predicts Republicans have the votes to block war powers resolutions rebuking Trump, calling the strikes a defensive move against an imminent Iranian threat to U.S. personnel. Senator Marco Rubio defended the operation as preemptive, insisting Congress has been fully briefed and the focus remains on missile threats, not regime change, despite Democratic outcry from leaders like Chuck Schumer over insufficient details.

In Texas, the marquee U.S. Senate primary pits four-term incumbent John Cornyn against Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt, with national Republicans pouring millions to back Cornyn amid fears Paxton's baggage could flip the red state blue in November. Polls suggest no one hits 50 percent, setting up a May 26 runoff, while Trump, who visited Friday, hints at White House involvement but hasn't endorsed. Governor Greg Abbott faces 10 challengers for a fourth term, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick three, and open races abound for attorney general, comptroller, and more, including crowded fields to replace Rep. Chip Roy. Ballot propositions will lock in party platform stances if approved.

Polls from CBS News show 45 percent of voters favor Democrats controlling Congress post-midterms versus 40 percent for Republicans, yet GOP primary-goers overwhelmingly want Trump-aligned candidates, with immigration perceptions still tilting Republican despite narrowing gaps. Republicans lead on citizen priorities over immigrants, though both parties are dinged on favoring the wealthy. The Iran conflict injects foreign policy urgency into domestic-focused races, with candidates like Cornyn and Paxton swiftly backing Trump.

North Carolina's Senate primary features Trump-backed former RNC chair Michael Whatley in an open seat after Sen. Thom Tillis's retirement, positioning it as a key battleground.

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