WASHINGTON — Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, is known for raising substantial funds for Senate Republicans through a donor network he has developed over decades. However, he has stated that he will not be raising money for Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. Instead, Cornyn plans to focus his fundraising efforts on competitive races in states such as New Hampshire, Michigan, and Alaska. He noted that Texas can be a "black hole when it comes to campaign cash," and that his contributions would be more impactful in other states.
A source close to Paxton indicated that the attorney general has been actively seeking support from Cornyn's major donors. Cornyn expressed his commitment to supporting the Republican ticket in Texas but criticized Paxton's campaign, stating, "Paxton’s a poor campaigner. He’s lazy and doesn’t raise money. And he basically is not offering a very compelling case for his election."
Cornyn's concerns about Paxton's ability to maintain Republican dominance in Texas were evident during the primary, where Paxton won the nomination despite being outspent by Cornyn and his allies. Polling has shown a competitive race between Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, with Talarico raising $30 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to Paxton's $9 million.
Many of Cornyn's top donors have not engaged in the Senate race since the runoff. Cornyn suggested that President Trump, who has significant financial resources, could support Paxton's campaign directly. Trump recently held a fundraiser for Paxton in Houston.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee expressed confidence in Paxton's campaign, stating that he is raising significant resources and building grassroots support. The primary between Cornyn and Paxton was contentious, with Cornyn receiving over 500,000 votes in the runoff. Cornyn has voiced concerns about the lack of outreach to his supporters by Paxton's campaign, indicating a need for unity within the party following the divisive primary.