Paxton says he’s taking a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment. In private, he told Washington lobbyists his campaign is run from D.C.
Senate GOP leadership’s super PAC, Washington lobbyists and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are carrying his campaign, and he said himself that “it’s all coming” from D.C.
Paxton’s campaign says he is an outsider taking a sledgehammer to the Washington establishment.
Source: Campaign website, Oct. 18, 2026 · Ken Paxton for SenateWhat the record shows
Paxton’s campaign says he is taking a sledgehammer to the D.C. establishment. 01 In private remarks at a Sept. 24 Capitol Hill lunch hosted by Washington lobbyists, where donations were welcomed, he said he had never felt less control over a campaign and that “it’s all coming” from D.C. 02
The super PAC tied to Senate Republican leaders, whose allies backed John Cornyn against him in the primary, had spent $131 million in Texas for Paxton by Oct. 1. 03 04 National Republicans, Senate GOP leadership and Elon Musk had put more than $214 million into the state for him by mid-October. 05
On Oct. 18 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business lobby and Cornyn’s original pick, endorsed him and said it looks forward to working with him on legal reform that shields businesses from lawsuits. 06 07
The record behind this
- Senate GOP leaders’ super PAC, which backed Cornyn’s side in the primary, starts spending for Paxton
A dark-money group affiliated with Senate Leadership Fund spent millions boosting Cornyn in 2025. Its new Texas PAC made an initial $51.3 million TV buy for Paxton.
- Paxton tells Washington lobbyists his campaign is “all coming” from D.C.
The lunch was hosted by lobbyists at the Washington firm Williams & Jensen. The invitation said donations were welcomed.
- Senate GOP super PAC’s spending for Paxton reaches $131 million
- Trump, Senate GOP leadership and Musk put more than $214 million into Texas for Paxton
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Cornyn’s original pick, endorses Paxton
The Chamber said it looks forward to working with him on legal reform that shields job creators from lawsuit abuse.
Paxton’s response
His campaign said Paxton was referring to outside super PACs, which campaigns cannot legally coordinate with. 02
Sources
- 01Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate (campaign home page)Ken Paxton for Senate · Oct. 18, 2026
- 02“We have to suck it up”: Ken Paxton privately suggests cutting federal benefit programs to reduce national deficitThe Texas Tribune · Oct. 8, 2026
- 03Senate GOP’s super PAC starts spending big for Ken PaxtonThe Texas Tribune · Sept. 11, 2026
- 04Senate GOP smashing political spending records in Texas with ad-buying binge for Ken PaxtonThe Texas Tribune (via KSAT) · Oct. 1, 2026
- 05Ken Paxton to close Senate campaign with “Come and Take It” bus tour ending at the AlamoThe Texas Tribune · Oct. 14, 2026
- 06U.S. Chamber to Endorse Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate in TexasU.S. Chamber of Commerce · Oct. 18, 2026
- 07Texas Senate candidates rally voters a day before early voting beginsCNN · Oct. 18, 2026