Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas outraises Ken Paxton by $1 million during the second quarter

Looks like a high-profile divorce isn’t the only thing complicating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s run for the U.S. Senate.

Paxton’s rival in the Republican primary, incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, on Monday reported that he’s pulled in $3.9 million in the second quarter, breezing past his opponent by a cool $1 million. The windfall gives Cornyn $8.9 million in cash on hand as he vies for a fifth term in the upper chamber.

Last week, Paxton filed with federal regulators that he’d raised $2.9 million in campaign funds during the same period.

The contest is one of the most watched this election cycle because it pits Paxton, a MAGA loyalist, against Cornyn, long perceived as an old-guard, big-business Republican. Recent polling suggests Paxton has the upper hand in the primary.

Democrats are keenly watching the primary’s outcome because they think Paxton’s political baggage — including a near-impeachment by the Texas Legislature over allegations of bribery and abuse of office, not to mention a recently settled felony state securities fraud case — could spell trouble for the AG in the general election.

Last week, Paxton’s wife, Texas Sen. Angela Paxton filed for divorce, citing adultery as grounds in her paperwork. The filing will give rivals one more scandal to use against Ken Paxton in his U.S. Senate run. Experts also expect it to add a serious wrinkle to his ability to self-finance his campaign.

In yet another wrinkle, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) signaled in the wake of the divorce announcement that it’s putting its heft behind Cornyn. The fundraising group said through a spokesperson that Paxton had put his family through a “repulsive and disgusting” experience.

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This article appears in Jul 10-23, 2025.