Texas Senate Race: Cornyn vs Paxton vs Talarico

0:00It's April 16th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is El Paso News today, local news powered by AI. Texas Senate raised heating up with cash flying everywhere ahead of the May 26th Republican primary runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn pulled in nearly $9 million in the first quarter of 2026, including $3.4 million since the March 3rd, primary, leaving him with over $8 million cash on hand. Texans campaign raised about $2.2 million in that same quarter, with $2.6 million ready to spend, putting him behind on funds, but ahead in recent polls after the first round. Shifting to the Democratic side, state rep James Tallahrico locked in his general election spot and shattered records with $27 million raised. In the first quarter alone, the biggest ever for a Senate candidate that early. Since kicking off last September, he's hauled an over $40 million for more than $540,000 donors across nearly every Texas.

1:00County, with 97% of gifts at $100 or less, mostly from teachers and everyday workers. All this money sets the stage for a brutal runoff next month. Then a showdown in November where grassroots power could clash with big war chests, too. Despite who represents the lone star state.