A campaign event in Michigan featuring Vice President JD Vance on Monday was financed by MAGA Inc., marking a rare expenditure in a battleground state from a dominant political action committee that has largely stayed on the sidelines this year. With just over two months remaining before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump continues to hold onto his massive campaign chest, opting to expand his reserves rather than deploy them. Although the president and his team maintain that funding will be released soon, impatience is rising among Republicans striving to hold onto Congress.
The party faces significant hurdles, some tied to Trump himself; while the president remains a potent draw for core supporters, his approval numbers are historically low, driven by dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy and the conflict in Iran, which a majority of Americans consider unnecessary. The declining time frame severely restricts options for party strategists, as television advertising becomes scarcer and far more expensive as Election Day approaches. "Hope springs eternal," said Republican donor Dan Eberhart, echoing the sentiments of many party figures uncertain about the president’s intentions.
Texas has become a major concern. Trump endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton in his primary victory over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, turning what was expected to be a secure Republican seat into a competitive battleground.
Democratic candidate James Talarico has dramatically outpaced Paxton in fundraising, securing over $68.5 million compared to Paxton’s $9 million. At the end of June, Talarico held more than $21.5 million in available cash, whereas Paxton had $1.75 million. "We need help from the president," Sen.
John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said during an appearance on Fox News. "I’m hoping that the president is going to spend $100 or $200 million in Texas, but he hasn’t committed to it yet." Campaign finance filings show MAGA Inc. held more than $403 million at the close of July, having raised an additional $3 million during the month while spending almost nothing. That leaves the committee with more cash on hand than any major party organization.
Its only notable expenditure thus far was in South Carolina, where the group directed nearly $830,000 toward a late voter turnout effort to help Sen. Darline Graham secure the Republican nomination following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham. That funding included approximately $774,000 for phone outreach and $53,500 for text messages.
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