WASHINGTON, June 13 (STL.News) – Republicans are questioning whether Donald Trump will deploy his substantial campaign funds to support Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate nominee.
Following Trump’s late-stage endorsement, Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a primary runoff, shifting the state from a reliable Republican stronghold to a competitive contest.
Financial Pressure on Campaign
The transition in the Senate race has triggered concern among party members who previously viewed the Texas seat as secure. Political forecasters shifted their outlook for the state from likely Republican to lean Republican after the primary results. This development forces the GOP to consider reallocating resources originally intended for other battleground states to ensure a victory in Texas.
Paxton currently faces state Representative James Talarico, a Democratic candidate who has demonstrated significant fundraising capabilities. Talarico’s campaign reported raising $40 million through March, with $9.9 million remaining on hand. In contrast, Paxton, who faces legal challenges including felony fraud indictments and a prior impeachment by the Texas House, raised $7.6 million through May 6 and reported $2.3 million in available funds. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the allegations against him.
Call for Presidential Support
The sheer size of Texas, which contains 20 distinct television media markets, makes it an expensive state to defend. Internal memos from the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm last August warned that a Paxton nomination would force the party to divert hundreds of millions of dollars from other key races. Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming expressed the sentiments of many colleagues when discussing the potential for presidential intervention.
“It would be very helpful if the president would help the people he endorsed,” Senator Lummis said when asked if Trump should put his financial might behind Paxton.
The debate over funding comes as Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., maintains a reported $356 million war chest. While the group spent $377 million to support Trump’s own efforts in 2024, it has yet to commit specific funds to the Texas Senate race. Other established groups, such as the Senate Leadership Fund, have also indicated that their current strategies do not include direct investment in Texas, despite plans to spend $342 million in other battleground regions.
Potential Shifts in Strategy
The race has tightened considerably, with a June 9 Texas Pulse poll indicating a dead heat between the two candidates. Talarico has managed to draw crowds in historically Republican counties, focusing on his Christian faith and his opposition to the influence of billionaires. Meanwhile, Republican figures have countered by attacking his positions on immigration and gender issues, while also questioning his character.
Some political analysts argue that the current instability in the race is a direct result of Trump’s primary endorsement, which disrupted the party’s original plans to retain the seat with a more conventional candidate. While the GOP is currently defending majorities in several states, including North Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia, the unexpected competitiveness of Texas presents a new hurdle.
Senior advisers at MAGA Inc. have noted that they are raising money to spend on various campaigns, though they do not disclose specific timelines or locations. For now, the party waits to see if the former president will prioritize this specific seat to prevent a loss that could impact the Senate majority and complicate future legislative investigations. Other observers have pointed toward Texas Governor Greg Abbott as a potential financial savior, noting that his committee held $96 million in cash earlier this year. However, representatives for the Governor have stopped short of confirming any direct financial commitment to Paxton’s specific campaign.
