Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a $18 million fundraising haul for the third quarter of 2024, the largest amount he has ever raised in a single period. The money was collected between July 1 and September 30 and represents more than double the $9 million he raised in the second quarter.
Why the surge matters for Texas voters
For the first time this election cycle Paxton was the sole Republican Senate nominee, allowing him to focus exclusively on the general‑election battle against Democrat James Talarico. The campaign also benefited from joint fundraising with national Republican Senate groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which helped expand his donor base across the state.
Senior adviser Nick Maddux highlighted the breadth of support, noting that the $18 million came from over 160,000 unique donors. “Republicans from all corners of Texas have given to the campaign because they know what’s at stake,” Maddux said. “James Talarico can raise all the coastal money he wants, but he can’t hide his radical record from Texas voters.”
Advertising push and super‑PAC support
With the new cash flow, Paxton’s campaign launched its first major statewide media buy, a $20 million advertising campaign that began last week. In addition, a coalition of Republican super‑PACs aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune has contributed more than $175 million toward television, digital, and radio ads supporting Paxton.
By contrast, Talarico’s campaign has already spent nearly $67 million on general‑election ads, aided by cheaper broadcast rates and a larger fundraising total in earlier quarters ($30 million in Q2 and $27 million in Q1). Nonetheless, Paxton’s recent fundraising surge narrows the advertising gap and gives his team the resources to reach every Texan before Election Day.
Polls and the road ahead
Recent polling averages show Talarico holding a narrow lead over Paxton, an unusual scenario in a state where a Democrat has not won a statewide race in more than three decades. While the numbers reflect a competitive environment, the trend of Paxton’s fundraising growth suggests his campaign is gaining momentum.
Paxton’s team emphasizes that the influx of donor contributions and the new ad buy will allow the campaign to “make sure every Texan sees Talarico’s radical record between now and Election Day,” according to Maddux.
Context and next steps
For comparison, incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz raised $21 million in the third quarter of 2024. Paxton’s record haul, while still below Cruz’s, demonstrates his ability to mobilize a broad base of Republican supporters.
The campaign has yet to file its detailed Federal Election Commission paperwork, which will disclose the identities of the donors behind the $18 million and the cash on hand at the start of October.
As the race tightens, Texas voters can expect intensified outreach from both campaigns, with Paxton’s newly funded advertising effort poised to play a decisive role in shaping the final outcome.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
