It’s shaping up to be a close battle to represent the Lone Star State in the U.S. Senate, but Republican Ken Paxton’s campaign just received a major confidence boost.
As he takes on Democrat James Talarico in the general election, recent fundraising reports show that Paxton leads the pack among Republicans seeking a Senate seat for the first time.
The Daily Caller reported:
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has entered the final 100 days, cementing himself as the top GOP Senate fundraiser this cycle.
ADVERTISEMENTHis campaign committee, Ken Paxton for Senate, raised more than $9 million in the second quarter—the largest single-quarter total announced by a GOP Senate non-incumbent nationwide.
It’s a notable improvement for Paxton, who had been trailing his Democrat rival significantly:
JUST IN: James Talarico's Campaign Raises $30 Million This Quarter — Largest Q2 Haul in Senate History.
Talarico’s U.S. Senate campaign has now raised $70 million this cycle from 780,000 individual contributors. pic.twitter.com/FvPBFVZUwa
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 8, 2026
Paxton could face a generational fundraising gap if he's the nominee.
Total fundraising so far:
Talarico: $40 million
Paxton: $7.6 millionBeto only outraised Cruz by a little less than 2-1 in 2018. Unless Paxton turns on the jets, he's going to need significant outside help.
— Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) May 19, 2026
New – Q2 Fundraising update – TX Senate
🔵 Talarico – $30 million
🔴 Paxton – $9 MillionJames Talarico's Campaign Raises $30 Million This Quarter — Largest Q2 Haul in Senate History. pic.twitter.com/8FeEa00qVk
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) July 9, 2026
Meanwhile, the candidate Talarico beat in the primary isn’t holding her breath, as the New York Post reported:
Rep. Jasmine Crockett isn’t convinced her former Senate primary rival James Talarico can deliver a win for Democrats in Texas this fall.
“I don’t know,” Crockett (D-Texas) told NBC News, when asked if Talarico can turn the Lone Star State blue in the midterm elections.
ADVERTISEMENTThe lefty firebrand, who lost to Talarico in the Democratic primary in March, cast doubt on recent pollingshowing her ex-opponent with a slight lead over Republican nominee Ken Paxton.
Here’s some additional coverage of the race:
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