Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico announced that his campaign raised a record $30 million during the second quarter, far outpacing the more than $9 million reported by Republican nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during the same period. The fundraising surge comes as Republicans work to defend the Texas Senate seat, which is considered critical to preserving President Donald Trump’s Senate majority.

Background
Talarico’s campaign said it has raised more than $70 million since launching in September, with more than 1.5 million donations from over 780,000 individual contributors. Campaign officials said 97% of contributions were $100 or less, describing the effort as a grassroots campaign capable of competing in one of the nation’s largest states. National Democrats have increasingly viewed Texas as a competitive Senate battleground, while the National Republican Senatorial Committee has said it is rallying behind Paxton. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll found the race tied at 47% for each candidate, although Republicans have historically dominated statewide elections in Texas, where no Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race since 1988. Federal campaign finance reports detailing donors and cash on hand are due July 15.

Lawmakers Launch Bipartisan Committee

Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators are making an unusual political move that is drawing attention across Washington. Although they represent opposite political parties, Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick have joined forces on a new fundraising effort ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential election cycle.

The lawmakers recently established a new political action committee (PAC) called Common Ground PA, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission. The organization is supported through separate fundraising committees connected to each senator.

The partnership is rare in today’s highly polarized political climate, where bipartisan cooperation has become increasingly uncommon. Political observers say it reflects the working relationship the two first-term senators have built while representing one of America’s most important battleground states.

According to The Center Square, a spokesperson for McCormick said the PAC was created because many supporters wanted an opportunity to back both senators.

A spokesperson for McCormick said the donors behind the PAC appreciate the cooperative relationship between Senators McCormick and Fetterman on issues affecting Pennsylvania and wanted a way to financially support both lawmakers.

Fetterman has frequently broken with many members of his own party by supporting positions that appeal to moderate and conservative voters. His willingness to work across party lines has earned praise from some independents and Republicans while drawing criticism from progressive Democrats.

Despite repeated speculation that he could eventually leave the Democratic Party, Fetterman has consistently rejected those claims. He has previously said he would “be a terrible Republican” and maintains that he still believes in many of the Democratic Party’s traditional principles, even though he often disagrees with party leaders on several major issues.

McCormick, who won his Senate seat in 2024, has also emphasized bipartisan cooperation on issues affecting Pennsylvania while remaining a reliable Republican voice on fiscal policy, national security, and economic growth.

Both senators are serving their first terms in the U.S. Senate. Fetterman will face voters again in 2028, while McCormick’s first reelection campaign is scheduled for 2030.

Pennsylvania continues to play a pivotal role in national politics. As one of the country’s premier swing states, it is expected to be fiercely contested in upcoming presidential and Senate elections. The state is also one of the few with a split Senate delegation, making the launch of Common Ground PA an especially noteworthy development.

Whether the bipartisan fundraising effort becomes a model for future cooperation or remains an isolated example, it underscores the political importance of Pennsylvania as both parties prepare for several high-stakes election cycles.