The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) for the U.S. Senate, backing the Republican candidate on economic policies, energy regulation, and legal reform ahead of the November election.
The business organization announced its endorsement at an event in Austin, saying it supports federal candidates whose policies promote economic growth, innovation, and opportunities for businesses and workers.
"The choice is clear in Texas," said Neil Bradley, the Chamber's executive vice president and chief policy officer. Bradley praised Paxton for supporting free enterprise, opposing what the organization characterizes as federal overreach, maintaining a low-tax environment, and defending the energy industry against regulatory mandates.
Bradley also emphasized litigation reforms, saying the Chamber hopes to work with Paxton on measures intended to protect businesses from what it calls lawsuit abuse and excessive regulation.
The endorsement follows a competitive Republican Senate primary in which Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton is now facing Democratic nominee James Talarico, a state representative, in the general election.
The Chamber had previously endorsed John Cornyn in February, before the Republican primary runoff. Its subsequent endorsement of Paxton shifts the organization's support to the party's nominee for the seat.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents businesses across industries and company sizes, from small businesses and local chambers to major corporations and trade associations. It regularly advocates for policies affecting taxation, regulation, energy, and the broader business environment.
The endorsement adds a prominent national business organization to Paxton's list of supporters as the Texas Senate contest enters its final stretch.
