Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told donors he’s raised $400 million over the last two decades as he seeks to prove he can fill Minority Leader Mitch McConnell‘s (R-KY) shoes in the Senate.
In a letter to supporters on Tuesday, Cornyn announced that he reached the “extraordinary milestone” of $406 million raised since his election to the Senate in 2002, of which $325 million has gone to candidates or the party apparatus.
“This $400 million-plus milestone is a testament to the dedication of our supporters to our shared values and vision for America,” Cornyn said. “As we approach the November elections, your continued support is more vital than ever as we work tirelessly to regain a Republican majority in the Senate.”
Cornyn has competed with Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), his chief rival in the leader race, on the fundraising circuit as McConnell prepares to step down from leadership at the end of the year.
McConnell is responsible for steering campaign resources through allied groups like the Senate Leadership Fund.
Cornyn highlighted the more than $26 million he’s raised this cycle, roughly in line with the $28 million Thune has brought in so far. The National Republican Senatorial Committee received nearly $12 million of that total, Cornyn said.
Cornyn’s emphasis on his career total, meanwhile, is likely designed to signal his long track record fundraising in donor-rich Texas.
The race for leader has largely played out behind the scenes and will not move materially until Election Day, when Republicans learn whether they’ve recaptured a Senate majority. So far, all but two senators are publicly uncommitted on whom they will support.
But fundraising has been one avenue to build relationships. Cornyn, who led the NRSC for two cycles and previously held Thune’s job as whip, has transferred an average of $435,000 in “hard dollars” each cycle to 36 colleagues and candidates through his joint fundraising committee, he said in the letter.
At the same time, Thune has emphasized his contributions to the NRSC, including a $4 million transfer he made this month.
Appealing to former President Donald Trump, who is expected to weigh in on the race if he wins in November, is another part of that equation. Both have held fundraisers with his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), in recent weeks.
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Cornyn reiterated the priorities he would pursue as leader if Republicans sweep Washington, laid out in a letter to his Senate colleagues earlier this month. He told donors on Tuesday that extending the 2017 tax cuts and deregulation would top a GOP agenda.
He is seen as competing with a third leadership candidate, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), for his conference’s right flank. Scott and Cornyn have both promised to term-limit themselves and future successors for the top post.