Texas Republicans are bracing for an explosive Senate primary next year in the latest chapter of an ongoing civil war that has divided the state party.

Members of the GOP raced quickly to endorse their respective candidates this week after Attorney General Ken Paxton, an ally of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, launched a primary challenge against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

The primary is likely to pit more establishment-minded conservatives against Republicans like Paxton who align themselves with President Trump’s MAGA wing, and questions are already swirling about what Trump will do.

“Donald Trump loves Ken Paxton,” said Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), who publicly backed Paxton on Wednesday.

“That would be very, very important whoever gets that endorsement,” he said.

Paxton also scored an endorsement from Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) on Thursday.

When asked about his thoughts on Nehls endorsing Paxton on Wednesday, Cornyn shrugged and said “it kind of doesn’t matter.”

And Cornyn has secured the backing of a number of his colleagues in the Senate, including Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).

Cornyn also has the backing of the Senate Leadership Fund, a big dollar fundraising group.

Scott in his endorsement referred to Cornyn as “a leader who delivers” on Trump’s agenda and for Texans.

“He's a proven fighter, man of faith and essential part of the Republican Senate Majority,” Scott said.

Cornyn’s colleague Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is notably staying out of the fray, telling reporters that the two men “are both friends of mine.”

Some Republicans have noted the role the Republican firm Axiom Strategies is playing in the primary. Paxton has hired the firm, but Ricketts, who has endorsed Cornyn, also works with the firm. The firm also has a long history of working with Cruz.

“I think both sides are preparing for a battle royale,” said Texas Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser, who served as Cornyn’s campaign manager in the past but is unaffiliated in this race.

“You're dealing with two candidates that have strong, deep ties in the Texas Republican Party.”

One Texas Republican operative described the dynamic as “a classic case if DC vs. Texas.”

“John Cornyn is a Mitt Romney, chamber of commerce Republican and that........

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