The donors behind Cornyn and Paxton's Senate fight

Key Points:

• The 2024 Texas Republican Senate primary between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton has become the most expensive primary in U.S. history, with over $120 million spent on advertising across two rounds, including $21 million in the runoff.
• A diverse coalition of donors, including Ross Perot Jr., Wall Street billionaires, Texas CEOs, Washington insiders, and grassroots funders, have fueled the costly and acrimonious contest through campaigns, PACs, and dark money groups.
• Cornyn has maintained a financial advantage with a broad donor network, enabling extensive advertising promoting his record and endorsements, while dark money spending has obscured the sources of millions in campaign funds.
• Both camps have heavily invested in negative ads during the runoff, with Cornyn outspending Paxton but both candidates engaging in aggressive attack advertising as the May 26 election approaches.
• Media tracking data from AdImpact and Federal Election Commission records highlight the complex web of outside groups and donors influencing the race, reflecting unprecedented spending and political intensity in the Texas Senate primary.