Texas voters are seeing an unprecedented flood of Republican advertising as super PACs aligned with the Trump administration pour over $100 million into the Senate race for Sen. Ken Paxton. The spending, tracked by political‑advertising monitor AdImpact, covers the period from Sept. 1 through Election Day and dwarfs the $27 million reported for Democratic ads.
Democratic response focuses on grassroots effort
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), acknowledged the disparity but emphasized that her party will not be out‑worked. “We may be outspent in all the races, but we will not be outworked,” Gillibrand said, adding that Democratic candidates are “stronger and on message to what voters actually care about.”
Gillibrand noted that the DSCC is allocating roughly $40 million across ten states for grassroots organizing, research, data analysis and legal support, though she did not break down how much will go to Texas specifically.
Trump backs the effort with personal wealth
President Donald Trump highlighted the scale of Republican resources, stating that he has “a billion dollars” available through super PACs that support GOP candidates. Earlier this month, Trump said he would commit “hundreds of millions” to help Republicans in the midterms, underscoring the administration’s commitment to preserving a red‑leaning Congress.
“We’re going to spend a lot of money because we don’t want to lose our country,” Trump told reporters, framing the financial push as a patriotic defense of American values.
Ken Paxton’s fundraising advantage and intra‑party dynamics
After defeating longtime Sen. John Cornyn in the May Republican runoff, Paxton secured a late endorsement from Trump, boosting his profile among the party base. While Paxton’s campaign has benefited from the influx of outside money, former Sen. Cornyn has chosen not to activate his donor network for Paxton, focusing instead on other key Senate contests.
Cornyn hosted two fundraisers in Texas – a lunch in Houston and an evening event in Dallas – featuring former President George W. Bush. He said the events will aid candidates in critical races, but not Paxton, noting that “Paxton’s got plenty of money.” Cornyn warned that the heavy spending in Texas could limit resources for other Republican battles, describing the situation as a “limited resource” that will force strategic decisions.
Democratic candidate James Talarico’s grassroots surge
Despite the financial gap, Democratic nominee James Talarico has outpaced Paxton in small‑donor contributions, reflecting strong grassroots enthusiasm. Gillibrand praised Talarico’s campaign as “incredibly strong,” positioning it as a viable alternative for voters seeking a candidate focused on local concerns.
AdImpact’s data also show that from May 27 to Aug. 31, Democrats spent $30.3 million on ads compared with $5.1 million by Republicans. The later shift in September underscores the strategic timing of the GOP’s ad buy.
What Texas voters can expect
As the election approaches, Texas voters will encounter a barrage of Republican messaging championing Paxton’s conservative record and the broader goal of keeping Texas “red” in November. Democratic ads will likely focus on Talarico’s grassroots support and policy contrasts, aiming to mobilize voters who feel the GOP’s spending does not reflect their everyday concerns.
The intense financial competition highlights the high stakes of the 2026 Senate race, with both parties betting heavily on messaging to sway a diverse electorate across the Lone Star State.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
