James Talarico Raises Record $27 Million in Texas Senate Campaign First Quarter

Talarico announced a first-quarter fundraising haul of more than $27 million, the largest ever by an upper-chamber candidate in the first quarter of an election year.

“James Talarico, a Texas Democratic primary candidate for U”

Austin American-Statesman

97% of contributions were $100 or less, coming from grassroots donors across 246 of Texas' 254 counties.

Austin American-Statesman

The sum brings Talarico's total fundraising to more than $40 million since launching his bid in September.

He raised $10 million since winning the Democratic primary over Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

Talarico's haul dwarfs the $9 million raised by four-term Republican incumbent John Cornyn.

No Democrat has won statewide in Texas in three decades.

Talarico will face the winner of a May 26 Republican runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.

Cornyn's campaign said it raised nearly $9 million, including $3.4 million in the four weeks after the March 3 primary.

CNN

The Texas Senate race has already set the record as the most expensive primary in U.S. history.

Combined spending is expected to top $300 million.

Talarico's campaign emphasized the grassroots nature of the fundraising.

“Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico announced a first-quarter fundraising haul of more than $27 million on Wednesday, among the largest totals reported by a US Senate candidate”

CNN

97% of donations came in increments of $100 or less.

The campaign said it has received nearly a million donations from 540,000 individuals.

Talarico's rise has been fueled by viral media moments.

The massive haul will bolster Democrats' hopes about making Talarico the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Texas in over three decades.