Still, those close campaign fundraising numbers are not enough to calm the nerves of outside organizations determined to keep Cruz in office.
The nonprofit conservative group Club for Growth barnstormed Texas, as its president, David McIntosh, recently completing a fundraising swing through the state. The group also unleashed a major advertising buy, which is part of their seven-figure television campaign to back Cruz.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC linked to former aides of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has also not ruled out wading into the race. The PAC has no immediate spending plans for Texas, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. A spokesman for the group declined to comment.
McConnell himself admitted on Tuesday that Cruz faces a tough fight in the traditionally deep red state, but he still expects the incumbent lawmaker to pull off a victory.
“I think Ted’s got a competitive race by all indications,” McConnell said at a news conference in Kentucky. “We certainly expect to win Texas, but I think he does have a competitive race.”
It could be good news for Democrats under siege in states Trump won if the NRSC does shift financial resources to the Lone Star State. One of the beneficiaries could be Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. The committee has made her its top target, spending $5 million against her in what’s been a boost for her opponent, state Attorney General Josh Hawley.