Paxton raises almost $3M in latest quarter
Paxton is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) for his seat in the 2026 midterms. Cornyn, who is considered a GOP fundraising giant, has not yet released his second quarter haul. However, the pro-Cornyn Texans for a Conservative Majority PAC, said earlier this month it raised $10.9 million in the quarter after Paxon launched his campaign in April.
Cornyn raised $2.5 million in the first quarter of the year, sending him into the second quarter with $5.7 million cash on hand.
Most polls show Paxton leading Cornyn in the state's Republican Senate primary, which is slated for early March. However, the prospect of the current attorney general as the nominee has made many Republicans anxious and Democrats hopeful.
A poll released by Texas Southern University last month showed Cornyn leading Senate candidate and former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) by 4 points and Paxton leading Allred by 2 points. A separate poll released by the Senate Leadership Fund, which is supporting Cornyn, showed the incumbent leading Allred by 6 points, while Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) led the Texas lawmaker by 4 and Paxton trailed him by 1.
A source told The Hill that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.), who is supporting Cornyn, met with President Trump on Wednesday evening to discuss upcoming Senate races including the one in the Lone Star State.
It's unclear whether Trump, who is an ally of Cornyn and Paxton, will endorse in the race.
The latest numbers also come as the attorney general and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton (R) began the divorce process. Paxton, who has served in his current role since 2015, was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted and faced allegations of corruption and taking part in an extramarital affair.
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