Texas GOP Senate Runoff Heads to Polls as Spending Tops $129 Million

Texas voters head to the polls today to choose the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in a runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The contest has already set a spending record, with nearly $130 million raised and spent by both sides, according to The New York Times.

Most of the money has gone toward supporting Cornyn, the three-term incumbent. Paxton has relied heavily on President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Cornyn warned that a Paxton victory could hand Democrats an opening in November.

“I think Ken Paxton's flaws and the baggage he brings to the general election are going to be exploited up to the fullest by James Talarico and by Democrats." — Sen. Paxton has countered that Cornyn opposed key Trump priorities on border security and the 2024 presidential race. Cornyn said he supported the president 99.3 percent of the time during both administrations. Paxton has faced multiple legal challenges, including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House that ended in acquittal by the state Senate.”

The winner will face state Rep.

James Talarico, who raised $27 million in the first quarter. Cornyn said outside money would flood the state if Paxton becomes the nominee and could affect down-ballot races.