Cornyn raises $33M to support GOP effort to win back Senate

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is running to become Senate majority leader, announced Friday that he raised nearly $33 million during the 2024 election cycle to support Republican senators and candidates, bringing his career fundraising total for Senate Republicans to nearly $415 million.

Cornyn’s fundraising total for the cycle includes $16 million in direct support for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

"I'm deeply grateful to the thousands of Americans who contributed to our efforts this cycle," Cornyn said in a statement. "Their unprecedented support helped build the resources needed to advance our shared priorities in the Senate. This historic level of engagement reflects the deep commitment of voters who want to see effective, conservative leadership in Washington."

Cornyn for the past 15 years has trailed only outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the top Senate Republican fundraiser.

The Texas senator’s fundraising efforts totaled $20 million in the 2022 election cycle after he formed the Cornyn Victory Committee.

Cornyn's fundraising efforts helped pave the way for Republicans to pick up at least three Democratic seats in Tuesday's election, giving them, at minimum, a 52-seat Senate majority next year.

Republicans expect GOP candidate David McCormick to be declared the winner in the Pennsylvania Senate race over Sen. Bob Casey (D), which would expand their majority to 53 seats.

Cornyn’s rival for the top Senate GOP job, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), announced last month that he had raised more than $31 million for Senate Republicans and Senate GOP candidates. That total includes money across his campaign accounts, for the NRSC and directly for candidates.

Thune transferred $4 million from his personal account to the NRSC in September, setting the record for the largest transfer from any Republican senator to the Senate GOP campaign fundraising arm.

Republican senators will convene Wednesday morning to elect a new leadership team.

In a letter sent to colleagues last month, Cornyn emphasized the importance of steering so-called “hard dollars” into campaigns. Hard-dollar contributions are subject to stricter federal regulations when raised but allow candidates more freedom in how they spend and coordinate ads funded by such contributions.

Cornyn outlined his priorities for the new Senate GOP majority in the letter.

He cited preventing tax increases, unleashing American energy production, restoring Congress’s legislative authority to curb regulatory overreach, and fiscal policies to reduce wasteful spending.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also cited the confirmation of conservative federal judges as a top priority.

Updated at 9:20 a.m. EST