Many affluent Texas Republican donors, who have historically been reluctant to support Ken Paxton, are facing pressure to fund his U.S. Senate campaign. This shift is driven by the tightening race against Democrat James Talarico and the broader implications for the Republican Party's control of the Senate. Paxton, known for his "pugnacious politics" and a 2023 impeachment on bribery and corruption charges (from which he was acquitted), has alienated many business-oriented conservatives who previously favored his primary opponent, John Cornyn. This dynamic reflects a deep rift within the Texas GOP between its traditional conservative wing and the hard-right, Trump-aligned base that supports Paxton.
Paxton's fundraising efforts have lagged significantly compared to Talarico. While Paxton has raised approximately $16.3 million between his campaign and the pro-Paxton PAC, Lone Star Liberty (which spent over $17 million on ads in the primary), Talarico has amassed $49.3 million, including $27 million in the first quarter of 2026 alone. Some prominent Texas donors, like Alex Fairly, who previously contributed $300,000 to Paxton's state campaigns, gave only $7,000 to his Senate bid, stating he was "saving [his] bullets for the general" election. This financial disparity has raised alarm bells among national Republican leaders.
Despite their past reservations, national GOP figures and super PACs are now considering stepping in to support Paxton. Senate Minority Leader John Thune and groups like the Senate Leadership Fund, which previously backed Cornyn and had not reserved ad time in Texas, are indicating a willingness to "go all-in" to keep the seat red. MAGA Inc., the Trump-aligned super PAC with over $350 million, is also eyed as a potential major contributor. The fear is that a competitive race in Texas could divert resources from other critical battleground states like Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Alaska, where Republicans are playing defense to maintain their Senate majority. This strategic imperative may compel traditional GOP donors and PACs to overcome their aversion to Paxton and ensure a Republican victory.
