Texas Republicans’ Significant Spending in Support of Ken Paxton
Recent reports indicate that Texas Republicans have been spending an eye-watering average of $7.7 million daily backing Ken Paxton’s campaign for the Senate. Federal Election Commission filings have revealed that a Republican super PAC invested a total of $131 million over a span of 17 days. Now, whether this flood of cash will actually aid Paxton against his opponent, Democrat James Talarico, is somewhat unclear; polls suggest a close race, with some showing Paxton slightly ahead while others indicate a near tie.
A Fox News poll released recently indicates that Texas voters are divided about Senate control. Specifically, it states: “49 percent prefer a Democratic Senate while 50 percent favor a Republican upper chamber.” Interestingly, about eight percent of self-proclaimed Republicans are inclined to prefer Democratic leadership, contrasting with just one percent of Democrats crossing over to support the GOP.
The same poll gives Talarico a narrow two-point advantage over Paxton, at 51 to 49 percent, among likely voters, but notes that the results are close enough to fall within the margin of error. For a larger group of registered voters, Talarico’s lead expands to seven points, slightly outside the margin of error and up from the three-point edge he held in July.
According to additional details shared by Breitbart News, Republicans have ramped up advertising efforts for Senate contests across various states, particularly in Texas. Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee, recently announced a $20 million advertising campaign that is set to roll out in major cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio before reaching broader areas.
In the upcoming November election, Paxton will face off against Democrat James Talarico. Republican groups have noticeably increased their ad support for the Texas attorney general, with substantial contributions coming from Texas PAC, linked to the Senate Leadership Fund. This super PAC is affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and has already invested over $51 million in broadcast advertising across key Texas markets this September, according to figures reported by the Texas Tribune.
Alex Latcham, executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund, stated in a prior comment that the Republican Party in Texas is rallying behind Paxton to ensure the state remains red in the upcoming election. Latcham emphasized that their investment through Texas PAC showcases a firm commitment to uphold the Republican majority and to counteract what they label as the “Far-Left liberals” represented by Talarico.
It’s notable that Texas has not elected a Democratic U.S. Senator since 1988, adding further context to the significance of this race.
