Donors Behind Record-Breaking Spending in Cornyn-Paxton Senate Primary
The Republican Senate primary in Texas between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton has become the most expensive primary election in U.S. history, with over $120 million spent on advertising. The Texas Tribune analyzed Federal Election Commission records and media tracking data to identify the key financial backers driving this costly contest. Senator Cornyn has maintained a dominant financial position, supported by a vast network of megadonors, joint fundraising committees, and dark money groups. Notable contributors include former President George W. Bush and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The race features significant spending from tax-exempt nonprofits that do not disclose donors, making millions in expenditures untraceable. Both candidates have utilized these funds to launch aggressive attack ads across television, digital, and radio platforms. The analysis highlights how Wall Street billionaires, Texas CEOs, and Washington insiders have fueled the vitriolic campaign, which is set to conclude in a May 26 runoff. Cornyn’s strategy leverages new rules allowing joint fundraising committees to purchase ad time at cheaper candidate rates, significantly outpacing Paxton’s fundraising efforts.
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Donors Behind Record-Breaking Spending in Cornyn-Paxton Senate Primary
The Republican Senate primary in Texas between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton has become the most expensive primary election in U.S. history, with over $120 million spent on advertising. The Texas Tribune analyzed Federal Election Commission records and media tracking data to identify the key financial backers driving this costly contest. Senator Cornyn has maintained a dominant financial position, supported by a vast network of megadonors, joint fundraising committees, and dark money groups. Notable contributors include former President George W. Bush and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The race features significant spending from tax-exempt nonprofits that do not disclose donors, making millions in expenditures untraceable. Both candidates have utilized these funds to launch aggressive attack ads across television, digital, and radio platforms. The analysis highlights how Wall Street billionaires, Texas CEOs, and Washington insiders have fueled the vitriolic campaign, which is set to conclude in a May 26 runoff. Cornyn’s strategy leverages new rules allowing joint fundraising committees to purchase ad time at cheaper candidate rates, significantly outpacing Paxton’s fundraising efforts.