"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."
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.
Read at Axios
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