President Trump-backed candidates advance in Senate primaries as spending plans remain unclear

President Trump has backed challengers who defeated several Republican incumbents in Senate primaries this year. The outcome has shifted the map for the November elections and raised questions about how much the president’s aligned super PAC will spend to support the new nominees.

Primary outcomes and party concerns In Texas, the president endorsed a challenger who defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Senate Republican leaders have said privately and publicly that the super PAC should help cover costs in the general election.

In North Carolina, Sen. Thom Tillis opted not to seek reelection after a dispute with the president last year; the president later backed Michael Whatley for the nomination. Democratic candidates in both states have highlighted past allegations against the Republican nominees.

Party leaders in both parties have noted that the contests could require additional spending compared with earlier expectations.

, the super PAC aligned with the president, reported $382 million in cash as of last month. The group can accept unlimited contributions but is barred from coordinating directly with candidates or party committees. James Blair, who left a White House role to coordinate midterm efforts, said in an interview that the president plans to spend substantial resources on the midterms.

A meeting involving Blair, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, pollster Tony Fabrizio and political adviser Chris LaCivita took place more than two months ago to discuss vendor teams. Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has committed $342 million across several competitive states.