Texas has long been a major source of campaign funding for presidential candidates, with donors from the Lone Star State contributing over $65 million to the current election cycle. This financial windfall helps fuel the deluge of ads and events focused on a handful of swing states, far from the reliably Republican stronghold of Texas.

Texans Dig Deep to Influence National Races

A Generous Donor Base

Texas has a rich history of political fundraising, with both Republicans and Democrats tapping into the state's deep-pocketed donors. "Texas has a history of not just Republicans but Democrats raising a lot of money," said Brendan Glavin, deputy research director at OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization that tracks money in politics. "There's clearly a good donor base in Texas for candidates."This donor base has been a boon for presidential campaigns, with the major-party candidates and top surrogates making regular stops in Texas to collect checks. The principal campaign committees for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have received $35 million and $30 million, respectively, from Texan donors through the end of August.

Fueling the Battleground States

While Texas itself is not considered a battleground state, the money raised from its donors is crucial for funding the campaigns' activities in the handful of swing states that will ultimately decide the election. "You've got to get the money where it is so then you can turn around and spend it in the battleground states," Glavin explained. "That's just the way the modern campaign has to work."This dynamic is not unique to Texas, as other large, non-competitive states like California, New York, and Florida also play an outsized role in funding political campaigns across the country. But the Lone Star State's $65 million contribution to the current election cycle is a testament to the state's enduring influence in national politics.

The Rise of Digital Fundraising

One of the significant changes in campaign finance over the past decade has been the shift towards digital fundraising. Candidates now rely heavily on text messages and emails to reach potential donors, a far cry from the days of mailing out donation requests. This technological advancement has made it easier than ever for Texans to contribute to presidential campaigns, with the click of a button or the tap of a screen.However, traditional in-person fundraising events have not been abandoned entirely. Prominent Texans have hosted high-dollar events, such as a $2.5 million gathering in Dallas that featured President Joe Biden. These intimate gatherings allow candidates to cultivate relationships with their most generous supporters, while also providing a platform for soliciting additional contributions.

Boosting Down-Ballot Candidates

For Texas Republicans, supporting the presidential nominee is not just about influencing the top of the ticket – it's also about bolstering down-ballot candidates. "Texans understand the dynamic," said Tarrant County Republican Chair Bo French. "We are a red state and Republicans don't have to convince us as much, but they do need our money and there is a lot of it here in Texas."This sentiment underscores the broader strategic importance of Texas' political donations. By funneling resources to the presidential campaign, Texan donors are not only shaping the national race but also strengthening the Republican Party's position in state and local contests.As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the Lone Star State's outsized role in funding presidential campaigns is likely to continue. With its deep-pocketed donors and enduring political influence, Texas remains a crucial battleground for campaign fundraising, even if it is not considered a battleground state on election day.