An expected runoff on May 26 is forcing strategic calculations about when to spend campaign funds. Republican groups and super PACs have spent $65 million on TV advertising, driving up costs. If Cornyn loses the primary, defending the seat in a general election could cost the GOP even more. Party leaders have struggled for months over timing and magnitude of spending to keep the seat. NRSC polling at a closed-door briefing showed Cornyn would comfortably win a general election if he emerges from a contested primary. Securing Paxton in a general could require hundreds of millions. Cornyn ended the year with $15 million; a supporting super PAC held $5 million.
"Zoom out: $65 million has already been spent on TV advertising by Republican groups and super PACs, according to AdImpact. But if Cornyn loses the primary, avoiding a general election loss could be even more exorbitant for the Republican Party. The contest has been a headache for party leaders for months, as they weigh when - and how much - to spend to ensure the seat stays in the GOP column."
"But trying to get Paxton across the line could cost hundreds of millions of dollars, he said. The bottom line: Cornyn ended the year with $15 million in the campaign accounts he controls. A super PAC supporting him, Texans for a Conservative Majority, reported $5 million cash on hand at the end of the year."
Read at Axios
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