Texas Republicans are entering the 2026 statewide election cycle with a substantial financial advantage, according to campaign finance reports covering the second half of 2025. The filings show GOP candidates far outpacing Democrats in fundraising across nearly every statewide race, reinforcing long-standing disparities in Texas politics and raising questions about how competitive Democrats can be in an expensive and media-intensive state.
The contrast is most pronounced in the race for governor. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin, the leading Democratic contender, reported raising $1.3 million over the final 10 weeks of the year, including $300,000 she loaned to her own campaign. By comparison, Gov. Greg Abbott raised $22.7 million between July and December, bringing his total cash on hand to $105.1 million. Notably, Abbott received $1.6 million from a single donor, Midland oil executive Javaid Anwar, exceeding Hinojosa’s entire non-loan fundraising during that period.
Similar gaps appear in other top statewide contests. In the lieutenant governor race, Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin raised $368,000, a marked improvement over her previous fundraising as a Texas House candidate but still far behind Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s $3.7 million. Patrick ended the year with $37.7 million on hand, dwarfing Goodwin’s resources. Down-ballot races show comparable disparities, from attorney general to comptroller and agriculture commissioner, with Republican candidates consistently holding significantly larger war chests.
These financial gaps matter in Texas, where statewide campaigns require extensive spending on television, digital advertising, and voter outreach across multiple large media markets. The advantage also allows Republican leaders to direct funds toward supporting candidates in competitive local races, amplifying their influence beyond the top of the ticket.
At the same time, Democrats note that their fundraising has improved compared to past cycles. In the 2018 midterm cycle, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lupe Valdez raised just $55,250 during a comparable period, far less than Hinojosa’s current haul. Likewise, the eventual Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018, Mike Collier, raised only a fraction of what Goodwin has brought in so far. Democrats also point to stronger fundraising in the U.S. Senate race, where state Rep. James Talarico has raised $13 million since launching his campaign in September.
Democratic candidates argue that Republicans’ financial dominance reflects deep ties to wealthy donors and special interests. Hinojosa characterized her race as an uphill battle, saying, “When I launched this race, I knew it would be a David and Goliath fight — just like it’s always been when I’ve taken on Greg Abbott’s corrupt machine.” Abbott’s campaign counters that his fundraising reflects broad grassroots support, with campaign manager Kim Snyder stating, “The outpouring of support from across the state sends a powerful message about the values Texans expect our governor to defend.”
Political observers caution against viewing fundraising totals as a direct measure of electoral success. Democratic strategist Matt Angle noted, “It’s also not a measure of character or good public service,” adding that Democrats’ challenge is to raise enough to present voters with viable alternatives.
With the March 3 primaries approaching, Democrats may see increased fundraising momentum once nominees are finalized, particularly if strong Senate campaigns generate down-ballot support. Still, history underscores the challenge ahead: despite competitive fundraising at times, Democrats have not won a Texas statewide race in more than three decades, suggesting that money, while crucial, is only one factor shaping electoral outcomes.
