Key facts
- Republican donors are shifting their stance on funding Ken Paxton's Texas Senate race.
- Polls have deteriorated for Paxton in the weeks leading up to the midterm election.
- Paxton's campaign raised $18 million in the third quarter of 2026.
- The third-quarter fundraising total is the largest for any Republican U.S. Senate candidate this cycle.
- Paxton's campaign cited over 160,000 unique donors for the third-quarter haul.
Republican donors who had previously been reluctant to fund Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign are now reconsidering their position due to concerns about the party's electoral prospects. Initially, these donors felt it was President Donald Trump's responsibility to support Paxton, especially after Trump endorsed him over incumbent John Cornyn. However, with midterm election polls showing a worsening outlook for Republicans, many donors are now willing to back Paxton to help maintain GOP control of the Senate.
Paxton's campaign announced a significant fundraising surge, bringing in $18 million in the third quarter of 2026. This haul, attributed to over 160,000 grassroots donors, marks the largest fundraising quarter for any Republican U.S. Senate candidate this cycle. The campaign stated that Republicans across Texas are contributing due to the perceived high stakes of the election. This fundraising success follows a substantial media buy by Paxton's campaign and enthusiasm generated by his statewide tour.