Former President George W. Bush and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) co-hosted a fundraising event in Dallas on Monday evening to support Republican Senate candidates, excluding Texas Attorney General and GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, according to multiple reports.
The event, organized by Cornyn, benefited six Republican Senate candidates in races that could determine control of Congress. Bush was listed as a "special guest" on invitations. The fundraiser supported Maintain the Majority, a joint fundraising committee backing Senate candidates in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Ohio.
Key attendees included Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan (AK), Jon Husted (OH), former Rep. Mike Rogers (MI), Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA), former Sen. John Sununu (NH), and Michelle Tafoya (MN). Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in a primary, was notably absent from the event.
Deeper Dive & Context
Event Details and Attendees
The fundraiser was held Monday evening in Dallas and focused on supporting Republican Senate candidates in competitive races. According to sources familiar with the event, Bush’s participation was highlighted as a key draw for donors. The Maintain the Majority committee includes Cornyn and the listed candidates, though Paxton was not among them.
Political Context and Relationships
The exclusion of Paxton follows a contentious primary in which he defeated Cornyn, a long-serving senator. Bush and Cornyn have historically aligned with establishment Republicans, while Paxton is closely associated with former President Donald Trump’s political orbit. The event’s organizers did not provide an official rationale for Paxton’s exclusion.
Donor Involvement
Some attendees of the fundraiser have previously contributed to Paxton’s Senate campaign, according to reports. The event’s organizers did not comment on whether Paxton was invited but declined to attend. The fundraiser’s focus on battleground Senate races underscores the high stakes of the 2026 midterm elections.
Election Timeline
Early voting in Texas is scheduled to begin on October 19, 2026, with Election Day on November 3, 2026. The fundraiser occurred as Texas Republicans prepare for a closely watched Senate race.