Latest news with #pro-Cornyn
The Hill
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
5 takeaways from the latest campaign finance reports
The latest campaign filings released this week are beginning to illustrate the contours of several highly watched Senate races while also raising questions about whether some members of Congress might seek retirement. Candidates were required to file their federal campaign reports from the second quarter of this year, which spans between April and June, by Tuesday. Political groups and parties who report semi-annually have until the end of the month to report their sums. Here are 5 takeaways from the latest fundraising quarter: Cornyn, Cassidy stay competitive despite GOP primary challengers Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who are both facing primary challengers from their right, have been able to stay competitive in fundraising despite questions around how at risk they are of losing their primaries next year. While Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) technically raised more from his principal campaign than Cornyn — Paxton raked in $2.9 million, while Cornyn's campaign raked in roughly $803,000, Cornyn enjoys an overhaul of close to $4 million between his principal campaign committee and joint fundraising committee. Overall, only $2.7 million from Cornyn's political operation can go him, given some of the money raised from his joint fundraising committee exceeds what can be doled out to a campaign, according to The Texas Tribune. Cornyn's allies are also ramping up their fundraising efforts, too. Texans for a Conservative Majority, a pro-Cornyn super PAC, raked in close to $11 million in the second quarter, according to Politico. Meanwhile, the pro-Paxton group Lone Star Liberty PAC hauled in $1.85 million, according to the Tribune. Over in Louisiana, Cassidy raised $1.6 million from his principal campaign committee, while Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming's campaign reported raising $2.1 million, which includes a $2 million self-loan. State Sen. Blake Miguez, who has also announced a run against Cassidy, reported $1.8 million for the quarter, including a self-loan of $1 million. But between Cassidy's campaign and associated joint fundraising committees, his team said he's raised $2.1 million in total for the quarter. Cassidy also ends the quarter with nearly $9 million in the bank. Some numbers raise speculation over potential retirements Several lawmakers' fundraising hauls are driving speculation that they could be retiring from Congress soon. In the House, 88-year-old D.C. Democratic Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton — who's said she intends to run again, while her team has walked back that sentiment — raised $45,000 in the second quarter, including loaning herself $40,000. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), 83, who has not formally declared whether he's running for another term, raised about $46,000 between April and June, though he has about $115,000 in the bank. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who is under federal investigation over what the congressman said was his campaign finances, according to The Tennessean, raised about $53,000. Ogles has not been charged with any wrongdoing. However, while these sums are lower than usual, that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't seeking reelection. Michigan's McMorrow crushes rivals in fundraising Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who's running for the open Senate seat in the Great Lakes State, outraised her two Democratic challengers and GOP Senate contender Mike Rogers. While Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) raked in $2.8 million in the latest quarter of fundraising, that included $1.5 million that she transferred from her House campaign committee to her Senate one, meaning she raised $1.3 million herself between April and June. McMorrow raised $2.1 million in the latest quarter while former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed raised close to $1.8 million. Rogers raised $745,000 from his principal campaign committee; his political operation brought in $1.5 million altogether between his campaign and joint fundraising committee. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), who's considering his own bid for Michigan Senate, about $746,000 in the last reporting period. Progressives, potential 2028 hopefuls raking in high sums While progressive stars may not be raking in the same sums that they were last quarter, they're still touting some pretty high numbers. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brought in $4.5 million, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) raked in $5.8 million. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a rising star within the party, reported $2.1 million last quarter and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) reported close to $2.5 million. Both Khanna and Ocasio-Cortez have been floated as potential 2028 runners on the Democratic side. Other 2028 challengers like Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), more of a mainstream Democrat, have also reported high sums. Booker's campaign reported $9.6 million raised, including $1.5 million in transfers. Vulnerable House Republicans post strong numbers While Republicans are bracing for an unfavorable political environment as they contend with historical midterm headwinds, vulnerable House GOP incumbents are still posting high dollars compared to vulnerable House Democrats. Only one House Democrat from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's (DCCC) 'Frontline' members group cracked more than $1 million in fundraising, according the National Journal's compilation of fundraising figures between DCCC 'Frontline' members and House Republicans' 'Patriots': Rep. Eugene Vidman (D-Va.) brought in $1.6 million. Meanwhile, eight National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) 'Patriot' members raised over $1 million. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), who represents a 'lean Republican' seat in California, raised $2 million. The fundraising will be key for Republicans who contending with likely losing seats next year.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Paxton raises almost $3M in latest quarter
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) Senate campaign said Friday it raised $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2025. Paxton is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) for his seat in the 2026 midterms. Cornyn, considered a GOP fundraising giant, has not yet released his second-quarter haul. However, the pro-Cornyn Texans for a Conservative Majority PAC said earlier this month it raised $10.9 million in the quarter after Paxton launched his campaign in April. Cornyn raised $2.5 million in the first quarter of the year, sending him into the second quarter with $5.7 million cash on hand. Most polls show Paxton leading Cornyn in the state's Republican Senate primary, which is slated for early March. However, the prospect of the current attorney general as the nominee has made many Republicans anxious and Democrats hopeful. A poll released by Texas Southern University last month showed Cornyn leading Senate candidate and former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) by 4 points and Paxton leading Allred by 2 points. A separate poll released by the Senate Leadership Fund, which is supporting Cornyn, showed the incumbent leading Allred by 6 points, while Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) led the Texas lawmaker by 4 and Paxton trailed him by 1. A source told The Hill that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.), who is supporting Cornyn, met with President Trump on Wednesday evening to discuss upcoming Senate races, including the Lone Star State's. It's unclear whether Trump, who is an ally of both Cornyn and Paxton, will endorse in the race. The latest numbers also come as the attorney general and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton (R), began the divorce process. Ken Paxton, who has served in his current role since 2015, was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted and faced allegations of corruption and taking part in an extramarital affair. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
14-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Cornyn beats Paxton by $1 million in Q2 Texas Senate fundraising
Sen. John Cornyn has established a wide fundraising advantage over his Texas Republican primary opponent state Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to financial figures obtained by Axios. Why it matters: Cornyn is facing a more serious primary threat than any other senator up for election next year — and will need every dollar he can get. State of play: The four-term senator raised $3.9 million during the second quarter of 2025 and has $8.5 million in cash on hand, his campaign is set to announce on Monday. A pro-Cornyn super PAC previously announced raising roughly $11 million. It has not released a cash-on-hand figure. Paxton's campaign raised $2.9 million, while a pro-Paxton super PAC took in $1.85 million, Neither have reported how much they have in the bank. A more complete financial picture will become clearer on Tuesday, when campaigns and super PACs file reports with the Federal Election Commission. The background: Polls have shown Cornyn trailing Paxton, a controversial figure in Texas politics who was impeached by the state House of Representatives on bribery and corruption charges. He was later acquitted by the state Senate. Republicans are concerned that a Paxton nomination could jeopardize the party's hold on the seat, with some internal GOP polling showing him trailing a Democratic candidate in the general election. The intrigue: Cornyn and Paxton are both making aggressive appeals to the White House for President Trump's endorsement. But during a meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) last week, Trump aides indicated that the president would be remaining neutral in the race before seeing if Cornyn could close the polling gap. The meeting was first reported by Punchbowl News.
The Hill
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Paxton raises almost $3M in latest quarter
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) Senate campaign said on Friday it raised $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2025. Paxton is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) for his seat in the 2026 midterms. Cornyn, who is considered a GOP fundraising giant, has not yet released his second quarter haul. However, the pro-Cornyn Texans for a Conservative Majority PAC, said earlier this month it raised $10.9 million in the quarter after Paxon launched his campaign in April. Cornyn raised $2.5 million in the first quarter of the year, sending him into the second quarter with $5.7 million cash on hand. Most polls show Paxton leading Cornyn in the state's Republican Senate primary, which is slated for early March. However, the prospect of the current attorney general as the nominee has made many Republicans anxious and Democrats hopeful. A poll released by Texas Southern University last month showed Cornyn leading Senate candidate and former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) by 4 points and Paxton leading Allred by 2 points. A separate poll released by the Senate Leadership Fund, which is supporting Cornyn, showed the incumbent leading Allred by 6 points, while Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) led the Texas lawmaker by 4 and Paxton trailed him by 1. A source told The Hill that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.), who is supporting Cornyn, met with President Trump on Wednesday evening to discuss upcoming Senate races including the one in the Lone Star State. It's unclear whether Trump, who is an ally of Cornyn and Paxton, will endorse in the race. The latest numbers also come as the attorney general and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton (R) began the divorce process. Paxton, who has served in his current role since 2015, was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted and faced allegations of corruption and taking part in an extramarital affair.
Politico
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Cornyn gets a big fundraising boost in Texas Senate primary against Paxton
John Cornyn is not going down without a fight. After months of polls showing the four-term Texas senator trailing in the Republican primary, a pro-Cornyn super PAC raised almost $11 million in the most recent fundraising period. Texans for a Conservative Majority, the outside group supporting Cornyn in his primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, will have over $12 million cash on hand after the current fundraising quarter. The group has raised over $10.9 million in the quarter after Paxton announced his primary challenge against Cornyn. Cornyn has been consistently trailing polls in the Senate primary against Paxton, whose indictment and impeachment over corruption and bribery charges left him well regarded by conservative grassroots activists loyal to Donald Trump but viewed skeptically by Republican operatives worried about his reception among swing voters in a midterm election. 'This first report shows what the armchair pundits fail to realize — this race is only beginning in earnest,' Aaron Whitehead, the executive director of the outside pro-Cornyn group, told POLITICO. 'With eight months to go before the March primary, Texans for a Conservative Majority is well positioned to take the fight to Ken Paxton and independently support Senator John Cornyn's re-election." Texas' primary will be held on March 3, 2026.
