Ken Paxton Tops GOP Senate Fundraising as Texas Race Tightens

In the final stretch of the Texas Senate race, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s committee reported raising more than $9 million in the second quarter, setting a new benchmark for Republican non-incumbent Senate candidates. Most of the contributions arrived shortly after Paxton secured the Republican nomination in a May 26 runoff, eclipsing fundraising totals of other GOP hopefuls like Jon Husted, Susan Collins, Michael Whatley, Mike Collins and Dan Sullivan.

The previous record, held by incumbent John Cornyn with $9 million in Q1, was surpassed. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico’s campaign amassed $30 million in the same timeframe, and recent surveys from Texas Southern University and one outlet indicate a narrow lead for Talarico. Cornyn has publicly refused to campaign or raise money for Paxton, labeling him a “con man.” Paxton’s adviser Nick Maddux dismissed media criticism of the fundraising as an attempt to dampen voter enthusiasm.