Texas GOP Donors Drop Objections to Paxton as Senate Race Turns into Financial Drain

Key points

• Republican donors have shifted from opposing funding for Ken Paxton to accepting any means necessary to retain the Senate, driven by deteriorating polls.
• The Texas race is the most expensive Senate contest of 2026, with Republican-aligned groups spending over $200 million, draining resources from other competitive states.
• Internal divisions persist among Texas Republicans following the contentious primary where Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn, with allies of both sides criticizing the lack of unity.
• Paxton faces a tight race against Democrat James Talarico, with polls showing a near tie in a state that has not lost a statewide race since 1994.
• Recent audio leaks and scandals have further complicated Paxton’s campaign, though national Republicans are prioritizing the retention of the Senate over individual candidate issues.

Background

The Texas Senate race has been a major focus for Republicans in the 2026 midterms, with significant financial resources poured into the contest. Previous coverage highlighted the race as a $200 million Republican money pit, with Paxton raising $18 million in the third quarter of 2026. The race has been characterized by internal party divisions, with Angela Paxton urging GOP unity without naming her estranged husband, Ken Paxton. The contest is seen as a bellwether for the broader national midterm crisis facing Republicans, who are struggling in red states due to economic dissatisfaction and unpopular policies.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News emphasizes the unresolved internal divisions within the Texas Republican party, noting that allies of both Paxton and Cornyn are critical of the lack of unity. Politico highlights the shift in donor behavior, with many dropping their objections to funding Paxton as polls deteriorate, prioritizing the retention of the Senate over individual candidate issues. Yahoo News focuses on the impact of recent audio leaks and scandals on Paxton’s campaign, noting that these issues are making it difficult for national Republicans to support him. The outlets differ in their emphasis, with NBC focusing on internal party dynamics, Politico on donor behavior, and Yahoo on the impact of scandals.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a critical indicator of the broader national midterm crisis facing Republicans. The financial drain from the race is affecting other competitive states, and the internal divisions within the party could have long-term implications for the party’s ability to unify and compete in future elections. The race also highlights the challenges of retaining seats in red states, where economic dissatisfaction and unpopular policies are driving voter dissatisfaction.

What to watch

The next few weeks will be crucial for the Texas Senate race, with polls showing a tight race between Paxton and Talarico. The outcome of the race will likely depend on the ability of Republicans to unify and overcome internal divisions, as well as the impact of recent scandals and audio leaks on Paxton’s campaign. The race will also be a key indicator of the broader national midterm crisis facing Republicans, with the potential loss of multiple Senate seats in states that Trump won by double digits two years ago.