Texas GOP Senate Candidates Focus on Ads and Endorsements

In Plano, Texas, voters are witnessing the final push in the Republican race for the U.S. Senate, focusing on advertisements rather than public appearances. Neither Sen. John Cornyn nor state Attorney General Ken Paxton planned any public campaign events on the last day of their lengthy campaign. Instead, the battle continues fiercely through advertisements, with more than $109 million spent, primarily by Cornyn’s supporters.

Sen. Cornyn, aiming for a fifth term, will host an annual non-campaign event in San Antonio honoring high school graduates entering the service academies. His final public campaign appearance took place in Corpus Christi on Friday.

Meanwhile, Paxton wrapped up his campaigning on Thursday with events in Austin and San Antonio. He relies heavily on his campaign and a super PAC to highlight his endorsement by former President Donald Trump on May 19. Trump’s endorsement came during early voting, which concluded on Friday. He criticized Cornyn, labeling him as disloyal, and praised Paxton as a loyal supporter.

Trump’s endorsement has significant influence, leading voters in Indiana and Kentucky to favor challengers over GOP incumbents who have opposed Trump’s agenda. The Texas runoff, attracting less than the 18.7 million registered voters, has been marked by heavy advertising, primarily from Cornyn. According to Wayne Hamilton, ex-executive director of the Texas Republican Party, it is a fierce contest, with campaigns and groups fiercely advertising.

The Cornyn campaign and supporting super PACs have spent considerably more than Paxton’s supporters, nearly nine times more over the past year. However, as the runoff approaches, the spending gap has decreased. Cornyn’s recent ads attacked Paxton over personal and ethical issues without significant impact on his campaign.

Paxton’s supporters shifted their advertising strategy to emphasize Trump’s endorsement. His primary super PAC, Lone Star Liberty Fund, aired a new ad over the weekend targeting state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate.