Particle.news
Download on the App Store
16 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Talarico’s Small‑Donor War Chest Outraises Paxton as Texas Senate Race Holds Even

The ruling that allows party committees to coordinate with campaigns gives national GOP groups a legal path to narrow the financial gap that could decide control of the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Embassy, in Mexico City, Mexico, August 29, 2025.
State Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, speaks at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi on June 26, 2026.
Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, speaks to delegates and attendees at the 2026 Texas Republican Convention in Houston on June 12, 2026.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston during the 2026 Texas Republican Convention on June 13, 2026.

Overview

  • This week the Talarico campaign reported a $30 million second‑quarter haul, saying he has raised more than $70 million overall from roughly 780,000 individual donors and that 97% of gifts were $100 or less.
  • Ken Paxton’s campaign announced a $9 million Q2 total, and national Republican groups have moved quickly to back him with joint fundraising and fundraisers hosted by GOP senators.
  • A late‑June U.S. Supreme Court decision now permits party committees to coordinate spending with campaigns, which lets the RNC and NRSC deploy large, targeted resources directly with Paxton’s team and could blunt Talarico’s money advantage.
  • Public polls show the race essentially tied, and the campaign fight has a new flashpoint after Paxton’s office denied a records request about the Hoffman child‑abuse prosecution, an issue Talarico is using to press for transparency.
  • Federal Election Commission reports due July 15 will provide detailed donor lists and cash‑on‑hand numbers, and turnout among Black, Hispanic and independent voters will likely decide whether Texas flips and how the Senate balance is set.