Trump Urges Cornyn Backers to Rally Behind Paxton as $235 Million Hits Texas Senate Race
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 15
Trump Urges Cornyn Backers to Rally Behind Paxton as $235 Million Hits Texas Senate Race
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 15
Summary
Trump publicly told John Cornyn’s supporters to “immediately” switch to Ken Paxton, stepping in as polls over the past two months showed Democrat James Talarico with a narrow lead.
Paxton’s struggles have turned Texas into one of 2026’s costliest Senate fights, with outside conservative groups and party committees already spending $235 million against Talarico.
Fundraising has underscored the pressure: Talarico raised a record $64 million in the third quarter and more than $134 million overall, while Paxton raised $18 million and announced a $20 million ad buy.
The race is also straining Republicans nationally, with some worrying Texas is draining money from other states and faulting Paxton after leaked audio captured him blaming Trump for his problems.
Trump’s intervention comes despite his 56% Texas win in 2024, as Republican anxiety has grown alongside a slide in the president’s approval rating.