Already the most expensive senatorial race in American history, the bid for the GOP nomination is now headed to a runoff between U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Many fear the runoff will drive spending in the race even higher, most of which, up until now, was directed to the benefit of Sen. Cornyn.
According to advertising data compiled by AdImpact, more than $122 million had already been spent on the 2026 Texas Senate primary as of February 27, making it the most expensive Senate primary on record.
That total surpassed the previous record set during Arizona’s 2022 Senate primary, which saw roughly $110 million in advertising spending. The vast majority of that Arizona spending occurred on the Republican side, totaling approximately $95.1 million.
Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term in the Senate, received the overwhelming share of the Texas advertising support. The AdImpact report found that roughly $69 million in ads backed the incumbent, accounting for more than half of all spending in the race.
Much of that spending came from outside groups.
By comparison, about $4.1 million in advertising supported Paxton during the primary, while U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt received roughly $12 million in ad support.
Despite the massive spending advantage for Cornyn and allied groups, the longtime senator failed to secure a majority of the vote, forcing a runoff with Paxton.
While the vast majority of spending came from the Republican side of the race, the Democrat primary also contributed to the overall total. Advertising supporting state Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett accounted for roughly $27.5 million in spending, with Talarico receiving about $20.8 million in ad support compared to $4.5 million backing Crockett.
Talarico ultimately won the Democrat nomination.
The race has drawn significant national attention, with advertising purchases targeting not only Texas media markets but also Washington, D.C., New York City, and West Palm Beach, Florida—home to Mar-a-Lago.
President Donald Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race but said on Wednesday he plans to weigh in on the contest.
“The Republican Primary Race for the United States Senate in the Great State of Texas… cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “I will be making my Endorsement soon, and will be asking the candidate that I don’t Endorse to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!”
Both campaigns and outside political groups are expected to significantly increase advertising and outreach efforts heading into the runoff.
The runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
