Cornyn Outraises Paxton, Hunt in Q4 2025 Senate Race

Texas senator's fundraising dominance raises questions about GOP primary outcome

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Sen. John Cornyn, the incumbent Republican senator from Texas, outraised his primary opponents Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt in the last quarter of 2025. Cornyn's campaign and joint fundraising committees brought in over $7 million, giving him a significant financial advantage heading into the March primary. Despite Cornyn's fundraising lead and ad spending, he remains neck-and-neck with Paxton in public polling, raising the possibility of a runoff election in May.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a key battleground in the 2026 midterm elections, with the winner likely to face a Democratic challenger in the general election. Cornyn's fundraising dominance suggests he may be able to overwhelm his opponents with advertising, but Paxton's persistent strength in polls indicates the race could still be competitive.

The details

Cornyn raised over $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, with most of that coming from a joint fundraising committee with the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Paxton, who launched his challenge to Cornyn from the right, raised only $1.1 million in the same period, a decline from previous quarters. Meanwhile, Rep. Wesley Hunt, a long-shot candidate, raised over $1 million. Despite Cornyn's financial advantage, he and Paxton have been running neck-and-neck in public polling, with both candidates stuck at around 30% support and a sizable number of undecided voters.

  • Cornyn raised over $7 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • Paxton raised $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from previous quarters.
  • Hunt raised over $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • The Texas primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
  • If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held on May 26, 2026.

The players

Sen. John Cornyn

The incumbent Republican senator from Texas, who is seeking reelection and has outraised his primary opponents.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General, who is challenging Cornyn from the right in the Republican primary.

Rep. Wesley Hunt

A Republican congressman from Houston who launched a long-shot bid for the Senate.

National Republican Senatorial Committee

The campaign arm of Senate Republicans, which has set up a joint fundraising committee with Cornyn.

Texans for a Conservative Majority

A pro-Cornyn super PAC that has raised and spent millions to support the senator and attack his opponents.

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What’s next

The year-end reports are the last full filings due before the March 3 primary, though candidates will be required to periodically disclose contributions of $1,000 or more in the weeks leading up to Election Day. With three major candidates, the race is likely to go to a May 26 runoff, meaning the two candidates that emerge will need to continue to pour money into the race — while attempting to keep a large enough war chest for the November general election.

The takeaway

The Texas Senate race is shaping up to be a high-stakes and expensive battle, with Cornyn's fundraising dominance potentially giving him an advantage, but Paxton's persistent strength in polls indicating the race could still be competitive. The outcome of this primary will have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.