Politics
Ted Cruz predicts Texas Senate contest could cost $200 million
The Republican senator warned of a heavily funded general election following an expensive GOP primary battle in Texas.
The short version
- Republican Senator Ted Cruz estimated that the Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico will reach $200 million in spending.
- Paxton secured the nomination after defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a costly Republican primary runoff, while Talarico won the Democratic nomination.
- The contest is viewed as crucial for control of the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold 53 seats.
- The Cook Political Report recently adjusted its rating for the race to a toss-up.
Key facts
- Senator Ted Cruz estimated the Texas Senate race will cost approximately $200 million.[CBS News]
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a late May GOP primary runoff.[CBS News]
- State Representative James Talarico secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat.[CBS News]
- The Cook Political Report currently rates the contest as a toss-up.[CBS News]
- Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the U.S. Senate.[CBS News]
- Texas has not elected a Democratic candidate to the U.S. Senate since 1988.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
- The final total cost of campaign spending in the Texas Senate general election remains to be seen.[CBS News]
Sources
- Ted Cruz says Texas Senate race will be a "$200 million" fightCBS News - Top Stories