The Republican establishment absolutely did NOT want this to happen. And yet here we are.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Trump-endorsed firebrand who knocked off incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a brutal primary, just dropped a bombshell on every single critic who said he couldn't compete financially. As The American Tribune reported, Paxton's campaign committee hauled in a staggering $9.2 million during the second quarter, making him the top GOP Senate fundraiser in the entire country this cycle.
Let that sink in for a moment. The guy that party insiders were terrified would be a financial liability just obliterated every other Republican candidate's numbers.
Ohio's Jon Husted managed $7.7 million. Maine Sen. Susan Collins pulled $5.7 million. North Carolina's Michael Whatley grabbed $5 million. Georgia's Mike Collins and Alaska's Dan Sullivan each collected $2 million. Paxton blew past every single one of them.
Here's what makes this even more delicious. Cornyn previously held the Republican fundraising record after bringing in $9 million during the first quarter. Paxton just snatched that crown right off his former rival's head. You simply cannot make this stuff up.
The truly wild part? Most of Paxton's cash rolled in within just one month following his May 26 primary victory. That signals a rapid rally of financial support as the general election approaches in November 2026.
But hold on, because this story has layers. Not a single one of the 100 biggest Cornyn donors who gave $50,000 or more during the primary has written a check directly to Paxton. Major Cornyn backers like the Perot family, Houston beer distributor John Nau, and Dallas real estate mogul Harlan Crow have kept their wallets firmly shut through June 30, 2026.
And Cornyn himself? He publicly declared he will not campaign for Paxton or help with fundraising. This is the same guy who called Paxton a "con man" on the campaign trail. MAGA supporters have long labeled Cornyn a Republican In Name Only, and his refusal to back the party's nominee certainly isn't helping him shake that reputation.
Now comes the real fight. Paxton will square off against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November. Talarico's campaign brought in a massive $30 million during the same quarter, signaling this contest will be among the priciest Senate races anywhere in America.
Decision Desk HQ currently rates the matchup as a toss-up, with Paxton clinging to a razor-thin advantage. The stakes could not be higher. If Democrats flip this seat in deep-red Texas, it would send shockwaves through national politics.
So the establishment threw everything they had at stopping Paxton. They failed spectacularly. Now the question becomes whether the guy they tried to bury can actually win the whole thing without their help. Buckle up, folks. This race is going to be absolutely wild.
Read more American news stories at: The American Tribune
