Sen. Ted Cruz is playing a behind-the-scenes role in Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign, acting as an informal adviser, bundler, and campaigner. Cruz helped secure a Texas Hispanic Business Council town hall for Paxton and has raised funds for his campaign, including $3 million in one day during a May fly-around.
Where
Statewide
When
October 6, 2026 (article publication date); May 2026 (primary runoff); various dates for ongoing activities
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Campaign donations raised by Cruz during one-day fly-around in May$3 million2Who pays or receives it: Donors
Campaign funds raised by Paxton in last quarter$18 million2Who pays or receives it: Donors
Negative advertising spending against Paxton in primary$200 million2
Who's involved
Ted CruzU.S. Senator; informal adviser, bundler, and campaigner for Paxton's campaign
Ken PaxtonTexas Attorney General; Republican Senate candidate
James TalaricoDemocratic Senate candidate
Javier PalomarezPresident and CEO of U.S. Hispanic Business Council
Jeff RoeGOP strategist; founder of Axiom Strategies
Nick MadduxSenior adviser to Paxton campaign
Sam CooperSenior strategist for pro-Paxton Lone Star Liberty PAC
John CornynRetiring U.S. Senator from Texas
The facts
Sen. Ted Cruz emceed a Washington fundraiser for Ken Paxton within a week of Paxton's May primary runoff victory.2
Cruz joined Paxton for a fly-around in May, visiting Dallas, Houston, and Midland in one day to meet with donors.2
Cruz's super PAC has aired anti-Talarico advertising.2
Jeff Roe's firm Axiom Strategies has worked with both Cruz and Paxton.2
Nick Maddux, Paxton campaign senior adviser, worked as a key staffer in Cruz's 2018 and 2024 reelection efforts.2
Sam Cooper, a longtime Cruz adviser, is now a senior strategist for the pro-Paxton Lone Star Liberty PAC.2
Paxton's campaign declined to comment on Cruz's involvement.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Ted Cruz It is absolutely critical that Texas stay red, that Republicans keep a Senate and House majority, and that we elect Ken Paxton instead of James Talarico.2
Javier Palomarez We needed to find common ground and people that he trusted, that I trusted, and that clearly was Ted Cruz.2
Anonymous person close to both Cruz and Paxton Ted doesn't go through a meeting in Texas where he's not telling donors they've got to get on board.2
Sam Cooper Ted was one of the first ones that understood that this guy just got hit with $200 million of negative advertising and will need help.2
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, was interviewed about her campaign. She is running to secure schools and put money in voters' pockets, and is challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.
Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more
County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.
Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more
Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.
$$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September 2026, which transferred the money to Texas PAC to finance advertising supporting Republican Ken Paxton in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
$$158 million for donation to Senate Leadership Fund
Elon Musk, Donor; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more
Mike Garcia, a former college classmate of Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, appeared on Fox News to accuse Talarico of putting political ambitions ahead of truthfulness.
James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate; Mike Garcia, former college classmate making accusation; Will Cain, Fox News host
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico announced a campaign rally in El Paso on October 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event is part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" statewide tour ahead of the November 3 election.
James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General
Organizers of the "No Kings" movement held a gathering in Dallas to encourage early voting. The event included speakers, music, community activities, voting information, and election volunteer opportunities.
Indivisible Dallas, organizer of Dallas gathering; Black Voters Matter Texas, participating organization