Money isn't everything in politics, but it usually tells you where the biggest battles are going to be.
The latest campaign finance reports filed by Texas candidates offer an early look at which races are attracting the most attention — and the biggest checks. Republicans continue to hold a commanding financial advantage in nearly every statewide race, but Democrats have found one bright spot in the race for U.S. Senate.
State Rep. James Talarico's fundraising haul dwarfed that of Attorney General Ken Paxton during the latest federal reporting period, signaling that national Democrats are putting serious money behind their effort to compete in Texas.
Abbott still has one of the biggest war chests in politics
Gov. Greg Abbott remains in a league of his own when it comes to fundraising.
His Texans for Greg Abbott political committee raised $25.5 million during the latest reporting period and finished June with $67.4 million in cash on hand.
Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa raised $6 million and ended the reporting period with nearly $3 million in the bank.
Abbott's cash reserves are down from the more than $105 million he had earlier this year, but that's largely because he's been spending it. Campaign reports show the governor spent $54.6 million between late February and the end of June.
He's made no secret about where some of that money is headed. Abbott has repeatedly said he wants to help Republicans further down the ballot and recently told delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention that he intends to turn Harris County "dark red after this election."
Most of Abbott's donations are still coming from Texans. During this reporting period, 93 percent of his contributions came from inside the state.
Familiar story in the statewide races
The fundraising gap wasn't just limited to the governor's race.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised $5 million, while Democratic challenger Vikki Goodwin brought in just under $400,000. Patrick heads into the second half of the campaign with $35.3 million cash on hand compared to Goodwin's roughly $318,000.
In the attorney general race, Republican Mayes Middleton raised more than $900,000, nearly three times what Democrat Nathan Johnson reported.
Johnson actually has more cash available right now — about $291,000 compared to Middleton's $118,000 — but that's because Middleton has been spending heavily. He reported more than $3.2 million in expenditures during the reporting period and has also loaned his own campaign $5.2 million.
Former state Sen. Don Huffines continued to post eye-popping fundraising numbers in the comptroller's race, raising $4.7 million. His Democratic opponent, Sarah Eckhardt, reported raising about $320,000.
Meanwhile, Republican railroad commissioner candidate Bo French raised about $334,000, roughly double what Democrat Jon Rosenthal reported.
Senate race stands out
The race that's getting everyone's attention, though, is the contest for the U.S. Senate.
James Talarico reported raising about $32 million during the second quarter, a staggering number that his campaign says is the largest ever raised by a Senate candidate during the second quarter of an election year.
He finished June with $21.5 million cash on hand.
Paxton wasn't exactly struggling. He raised $9.2 million, which his campaign described as the largest fundraising quarter ever for a non-incumbent Republican Senate candidate, and ended the reporting period with $1.7 million in cash on hand.
Even so, Talarico's numbers show just how invested national Democrats have become in the race. With Democrats no longer needing to pour money into Maine after Senate candidate Graham Platner left that race, even more national dollars could find their way to Texas.
South Texas races heating up
Several congressional races in South Texas also posted competitive fundraising numbers.
In Congressional District 15, Democratic challenger and Tejano singer Bobby Pulido slightly outraised Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, bringing in $1.4 million compared to her $1.2 million.
De La Cruz still has the financial edge overall, ending the reporting period with $2.5 million cash on hand while Pulido reported about $1.2 million.
The Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican," another sign that national Democrats believe the district could become competitive. Pulido has also been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" program, which sends additional party resources into targeted races.
Other South Texas races told a similar story.
In Congressional District 28, Democrat Henry Cuellar narrowly outraised Republican Tano Tijerina and continues to hold a cash-on-hand advantage.
President Donald Trump recently endorsed Tijerina, criticizing Cuellar for continuing to run as a Democrat after receiving a presidential pardon last year.
In District 35, Democrat Johnny Garcia also outraised Republican Carlos De La Cruz. Garcia has likewise earned a spot in the Democrats' "Red to Blue" program after redistricting made the seat significantly more competitive.
Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez also held the fundraising advantage over Republican Eric Flores in Congressional District 34.
The campaign season is only getting louder
With less than four months until Election Day, the fundraising race is far from over.
Republicans still enjoy enormous financial advantages in most statewide contests, especially with Abbott and Patrick sitting on massive campaign accounts. But the U.S. Senate race is shaping up differently.
Talarico's fundraising haul shows Democrats see an opportunity, while Paxton's numbers prove Republicans aren't backing down.
