Latest news with #pro-Cornyn
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Cornyn shows signs of life in Texas Senate poll
Sen. John Cornyn has finally climbed within the margin of error against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in new, independent polling of Texas GOP primary voters. Why it matters: It's the first poll since outside groups spent millions of dollars on pro-Cornyn advertising, and since news broke of Paxton's divorce. Cornyn's primary chances have otherwise looked bleak, despite Senate GOP leaders warning the White House and major donors that a Paxton nomination could risk the seat. Zoom in: The Emerson poll released Friday has Cornyn with 30% of Texas GOP primary voters, and Paxton with 29%. The margin of error is +/- 4.4%. The same poll showed 37% of voters still undecided. It's a major improvement for Cornyn, after polls earlier this summer showed him down by double digits to Paxton. The Emerson poll has Cornyn beating Democrat Colin Allred in a hypothetical match up by seven percentage points, with Paxton winning over Allred by five percentage points. Zoom out: Groups affiliated with the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC that's linked to Senate Republican leadership, have spent more than $4 million over the past month to boost Cornyn with Texas voters, according to AdImpact. Another pro-Cornyn super PAC spent an additional $3+ million over the same time frame. SLF has been warning donors that it could cost tens of millions of dollars to help Cornyn win the primary — though they add it could save them from having to spend hundreds of millions to help Paxton keep the seat from Democrats, as Punchbowl News first reported. Methodology: The Emerson poll was conducted August 11-12 with a sample of 1,000 Texas registered voters. The GOP subsample was 491 and the subsample credibility interval (similar to a margin of error) was +/-4.4%.
The Hill
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
5 takeaways from the latest campaign finance reports
The latest campaign filings released this week are beginning to illustrate the contours of several highly watched Senate races while also raising questions about whether some members of Congress might seek retirement. Candidates were required to file their federal campaign reports from the second quarter of this year, which spans between April and June, by Tuesday. Political groups and parties who report semi-annually have until the end of the month to report their sums. Here are 5 takeaways from the latest fundraising quarter: Cornyn, Cassidy stay competitive despite GOP primary challengers Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who are both facing primary challengers from their right, have been able to stay competitive in fundraising despite questions around how at risk they are of losing their primaries next year. While Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) technically raised more from his principal campaign than Cornyn — Paxton raked in $2.9 million, while Cornyn's campaign raked in roughly $803,000, Cornyn enjoys an overhaul of close to $4 million between his principal campaign committee and joint fundraising committee. Overall, only $2.7 million from Cornyn's political operation can go him, given some of the money raised from his joint fundraising committee exceeds what can be doled out to a campaign, according to The Texas Tribune. Cornyn's allies are also ramping up their fundraising efforts, too. Texans for a Conservative Majority, a pro-Cornyn super PAC, raked in close to $11 million in the second quarter, according to Politico. Meanwhile, the pro-Paxton group Lone Star Liberty PAC hauled in $1.85 million, according to the Tribune. Over in Louisiana, Cassidy raised $1.6 million from his principal campaign committee, while Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming's campaign reported raising $2.1 million, which includes a $2 million self-loan. State Sen. Blake Miguez, who has also announced a run against Cassidy, reported $1.8 million for the quarter, including a self-loan of $1 million. But between Cassidy's campaign and associated joint fundraising committees, his team said he's raised $2.1 million in total for the quarter. Cassidy also ends the quarter with nearly $9 million in the bank. Some numbers raise speculation over potential retirements Several lawmakers' fundraising hauls are driving speculation that they could be retiring from Congress soon. In the House, 88-year-old D.C. Democratic Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton — who's said she intends to run again, while her team has walked back that sentiment — raised $45,000 in the second quarter, including loaning herself $40,000. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), 83, who has not formally declared whether he's running for another term, raised about $46,000 between April and June, though he has about $115,000 in the bank. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who is under federal investigation over what the congressman said was his campaign finances, according to The Tennessean, raised about $53,000. Ogles has not been charged with any wrongdoing. However, while these sums are lower than usual, that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't seeking reelection. Michigan's McMorrow crushes rivals in fundraising Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who's running for the open Senate seat in the Great Lakes State, outraised her two Democratic challengers and GOP Senate contender Mike Rogers. While Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) raked in $2.8 million in the latest quarter of fundraising, that included $1.5 million that she transferred from her House campaign committee to her Senate one, meaning she raised $1.3 million herself between April and June. McMorrow raised $2.1 million in the latest quarter while former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed raised close to $1.8 million. Rogers raised $745,000 from his principal campaign committee; his political operation brought in $1.5 million altogether between his campaign and joint fundraising committee. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), who's considering his own bid for Michigan Senate, about $746,000 in the last reporting period. Progressives, potential 2028 hopefuls raking in high sums While progressive stars may not be raking in the same sums that they were last quarter, they're still touting some pretty high numbers. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brought in $4.5 million, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) raked in $5.8 million. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a rising star within the party, reported $2.1 million last quarter and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) reported close to $2.5 million. Both Khanna and Ocasio-Cortez have been floated as potential 2028 runners on the Democratic side. Other 2028 challengers like Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), more of a mainstream Democrat, have also reported high sums. Booker's campaign reported $9.6 million raised, including $1.5 million in transfers. Vulnerable House Republicans post strong numbers While Republicans are bracing for an unfavorable political environment as they contend with historical midterm headwinds, vulnerable House GOP incumbents are still posting high dollars compared to vulnerable House Democrats. Only one House Democrat from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) 'Frontline' members group cracked more than $1 million in fundraising, according the National Journal's compilation of fundraising figures between DCCC 'Frontline' members and House Republicans' 'Patriots': Rep. Eugene Vidman (D-Va.) brought in $1.6 million. Meanwhile, eight National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) 'Patriot' members raised over $1 million. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), who represents a 'lean Republican' seat in California, raised $2 million. The fundraising will be key for Republicans who contending with likely losing seats next year.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Paxton raises almost $3M in latest quarter
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) Senate campaign said Friday it raised $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2025. Paxton is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) for his seat in the 2026 midterms. Cornyn, 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 Paxton 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 Lone Star State's. It's unclear whether Trump, who is an ally of both 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. Ken 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
14-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Cornyn beats Paxton by $1 million in Q2 Texas Senate fundraising
Sen. John Cornyn has established a wide fundraising advantage over his Texas Republican primary opponent state Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to financial figures obtained by Axios. Why it matters: Cornyn is facing a more serious primary threat than any other senator up for election next year — and will need every dollar he can get. State of play: The four-term senator raised $3.9 million during the second quarter of 2025 and has $8.5 million in cash on hand, his campaign is set to announce on Monday. A pro-Cornyn super PAC previously announced raising roughly $11 million. It has not released a cash-on-hand figure. Paxton's campaign raised $2.9 million, while a pro-Paxton super PAC took in $1.85 million, Neither have reported how much they have in the bank. A more complete financial picture will become clearer on Tuesday, when campaigns and super PACs file reports with the Federal Election Commission. The background: Polls have shown Cornyn trailing Paxton, a controversial figure in Texas politics who was impeached by the state House of Representatives on bribery and corruption charges. He was later acquitted by the state Senate. Republicans are concerned that a Paxton nomination could jeopardize the party's hold on the seat, with some internal GOP polling showing him trailing a Democratic candidate in the general election. The intrigue: Cornyn and Paxton are both making aggressive appeals to the White House for President Trump's endorsement. But during a meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) last week, Trump aides indicated that the president would be remaining neutral in the race before seeing if Cornyn could close the polling gap. The meeting was first reported by Punchbowl News.
The Hill
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Paxton raises almost $3M in latest quarter
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) Senate campaign said on Friday it raised $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2025. 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.
