John Cornyn Outraising Ken Paxton In Brutal Primary Contest

Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn is not bowing out without a fight.

The Texas incumbent, who is seeking a fifth term in 2026, outraised his primary challenger, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, by $1 million during the most recent fundraising quarter. The fundraising haul comes as the Cornyn campaign is working to close the polling gap with Paxton — with the Republican incumbent down by double digits, according to recentsurveys.

Cornyn, a prodigious fundraiser, raised $3.9 million over the past three months and has amassed nearly $9 million in the bank. An outside super PAC supporting Cornyn touted an $11 million haul during the same period.

The brutal primary showdown is shaping up to be one of the most expensive primary contests of the midterms. Though Cornyn is viewed as the stronger general election nominee, current polling suggests that Republican voters may prevent him from advancing out of the state’s primary contest.

Paxton, however, trails a generic Democrat candidate in a hypothetical general election matchup, according to a private survey released by a veteran GOP pollster.

Trump’s endorsement could prove decisive and both candidates are vying for the president’s blessing. The president’s team is waiting to see if Cornyn’s campaign can close the polling gap before making an endorsement, Punchbowl News first reported