Republican cavalry arrives for Ken Paxton as big-bucks Texas offensive opens cash floodgates
Top Senate Republicans are pouring millions of dollars into Texas to defend Attorney General Ken Paxton's bid for the US Senate, as the party rallies behind him against Democratic state representative James Talarico in one of the midterms' most closely watched races. The move marks a significant show of unity from Senate leadership, who had previously backed Senator John Cornyn before Donald Trump's endorsement of Paxton ended Cornyn's campaign, and comes as recent polling shows Talarico holding a slight edge.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Majority Leader John Thune, is launching a new Texas PAC with an initial eight-figure advertising buy beginning on the Friday after the Republican National Committee's Dallas convention, with adverts running continuously until Election Day. The effort follows a $10 million ad spend a week earlier by MAGA Inc, Trump's super PAC, and comes as Talarico holds a substantial fundraising advantage, having raised over $72 million compared with Paxton's roughly $17 million. A Fox News poll from late July put Talarico ahead 51% to 48%, in a contest seen as one of around a dozen races that will decide control of the Senate.
In short
- GOP super PACs launch major ad spending to back Paxton in Texas
- Paxton trails Democrat Talarico in polls and fundraising
- Race is pivotal to Republicans retaining Senate majority
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Republican leaders can reasonably argue that investing heavily in Paxton is necessary to make the race competitive and protect the party’s chance of retaining Senate control, particularly given Talarico’s fundraising lead and recent polling edge. Their unified effort may also help voters hear more about Paxton’s case and allow the party to rally behind its nominee after a divisive primary.
The case against
Critics can reasonably argue that major outside spending risks giving party leaders and wealthy donors disproportionate influence over a contest that should be shaped by Texas voters. They may also question the strategic choice to spend heavily on Paxton, given Talarico’s current advantage and the opportunity cost of directing those resources elsewhere.
Explained simply
Texas has two US senators, who represent the state in the federal government. Ken Paxton is Texas’s attorney general and is seeking the Republican nomination for one of those Senate seats; James Talarico, a state representative, is the Democratic candidate.
Republicans previously backed Senator John Cornyn, but he left the race after Donald Trump endorsed Paxton. Super PACs are political groups that can raise and spend large sums to support candidates, though they cannot coordinate directly with campaigns.
The contest matters because the Senate’s party balance can determine which party controls votes on laws and appointments. Texas is a large state, and the race is among a small number that could shape control of the chamber.
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