Republicans brace for money problems in Texas after Ken Paxton's win

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

May 27, 2026, 9:13 PM EDT


President Donald Trump may be celebrating that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won Tuesday’s Senate primary, but some Republicans now worry that they have a Texas-sized problem on their hands.

Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement, handily defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the runoff. Democrats largely viewed Paxton as the weaker candidate because of his many controversies. But his fundraising struggles are also raising alarm bells among Republicans. “Economically, it’s a disaster. Texas is extremely expensive,” said a GOP consultant working on Senate races, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about party resources.

So far, Paxton’s fundraising has paled in comparison with that of the Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico, who has raised more than $40 million — though he spent most of it in a hotly contested primary. But Talarico is expected to raise millions more; he pulled in $600,000 in just two hours following Paxton’s win, according to Talarico’s campaign. The haul was first reported by Politico.

Paxton has raised $7.6 million, and his campaign had $2.3 million left to spend as of May 6. The Paxton campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/republicans-money-problems-texas-ken-paxton-win-rcna347185

[underpants]

1. Remember, their primary was a battle between the "populist" wing vs the establishment

Cornyn was the big Texas dollars

[BumRushDaShow]

3. It all comes down to turnout

Jaime Harrison had far out-raised Lindsey Graham in 2020 for the SC Senator race, breaking Senatorial campaign records at the time, but still lost by 10 points.

[Martin68]

2. The beauty of it is that they might pour all their money into a losing race to support Paxton and have nothing left for

better prospects in other states. Win-win for Democrats.

[ananda]

10. Here's hopin.

!!!

[Old Crank]

4. I was reading in the Economist

That the Republicans are worrying that they will have to direct a huge amount of money from other races to fund the $250 million they expect to need for Paxton's race.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Surprised they wouldn't pump that into OH or ME

[ForgoTheConsequence]

6. Elon to the rescue.

Dark money will come pouring in.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Good

They shit their bed. Let them sleep in it.

[LudwigPastorius]

8. The RNC may as well pile up the money they plan to give Paxton and light it on fire.

There is no amount of money that will make that Picasso-faced, malignant criminal look like a better choice than Talarico.

[ananda]

9. I just made my second donation to Talarico.

May the force be with him.

[mdbl]

11. Why? Are there less TX Magats all of a sudden?