Sen. Ted Cruz has assumed a significant behind-the-scenes role in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign, acting as an informal adviser, fundraiser, and bridge between Paxton’s MAGA base and traditional Republican donors. Following Paxton’s primary victory over Sen. John Cornyn, Cruz has stepped in to assist with logistics, donor outreach, and messaging, aiming to secure a Republican win in the general election against Democrat James Talarico.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative leaders and Cruz’s allies describe his role as essential to maintaining Republican control of the U.S. Senate. Cruz has publicly endorsed Paxton, stating that his involvement is driven by the necessity of keeping Texas in the Republican column. He has described the race as a "binary choice" and has engaged in hundreds of conversations with donors who previously supported John Cornyn to persuade them to back Paxton.
"It is absolutely critical that Texas stay red, that Republicans keep a majority in the U.S. Senate and the House, and that we elect Ken Paxton instead of James Talarico," Cruz said in an interview. "And so I am all in."
Cruz’s team highlights his ability to navigate between the traditional GOP donor class and Paxton’s hardline MAGA supporters. Sam Cooper, a longtime Cruz adviser and senior strategist for the pro-Paxton Lone Star Liberty PAC, noted that Cruz was among the first to recognize that Paxton needed support after facing $200 million in negative advertising during the primary. "Ted was one of the first ones that understood that, hey, this guy just got hit with $200 million of negative advertising. He's running against an opponent who's going to be well-funded," Cooper said. "He's going to need some help."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic strategists and supporters of James Talarico view Cruz’s involvement as an attempt to mitigate the fallout from Paxton’s contentious primary, which left the Republican candidate facing significant fundraising hurdles and negative advertising. The U.S. Hispanic Business Council, led by President and CEO Javier Palomarez, noted that Cruz was instrumental in facilitating Paxton’s participation in a Senate town hall event. Palomarez, a Democrat and longtime ally of Cornyn, stated that while he and Cruz disagree on many issues, the Senator served as a trusted intermediary.
"We needed to find common ground and people that he trusted, that I trusted … and that clearly was Ted Cruz," Palomarez said. "I don't agree with Ted on a litany of shit, but at the end of the day, the guy's always been a good partner to me and to the small business community."
For Democrats, the presence of a high-profile figure like Cruz may signal that the Republican establishment is consolidating around Paxton, potentially making it harder to exploit divisions within the GOP. However, some observers note that Cruz’s association with Paxton could also link the incumbent Senator to any potential political vulnerabilities of the Texas Attorney General.
What the Numbers Show
Ken Paxton’s campaign raised $18 million in the most recent quarter, a figure that includes donations from first-time donors introduced through Cruz’s network. On a single day during a Texas fly-around with Paxton that included stops in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, Cruz reported securing $3 million in donations. Paxton’s campaign has also benefited from the political infrastructure shared with Cruz, including Axiom Strategies, the GOP firm led by Jeff Roe, who managed Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Key personnel connections further illustrate the alignment. Nick Maddux, a senior adviser to the Paxton campaign, previously served as a key staffer in Cruz’s 2018 and 2024 reelection efforts. Sam Cooper, a senior strategist for the pro-Paxton Lone Star Liberty PAC, is also a longtime Cruz adviser. While Paxton trails in recent polls, the infusion of donor support facilitated by Cruz represents a critical financial lifeline in a race where fundraising capacity is a primary metric of viability.
The Bottom Line
Cruz’s active involvement in Paxton’s campaign positions him as a central figure in Texas Republican politics following the retirement of John Cornyn. This role allows Cruz to expand his national profile and influence among donor classes, potentially bolstering his standing ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle. However, the strategy carries risk; if Paxton loses to Talarico, Cruz could face criticism for his lack of neutrality during the primary runoff and the subsequent general election campaign. A Texas GOP strategist noted that while the move is "smart" for cementing alliances with Paxton supporters, the outcome of the Senate race will ultimately determine whether Cruz’s bet on Paxton pays off or becomes a political liability.