Rick Perry’s PAC to Spend "Whatever is Needed" to Help Sen. John Cornyn Win

Stumping with Sen. John Cornyn in Austin, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said the political group he chairs — the Lone Star Freedom Project — would spend “whatever we need” to help Cornyn win his bruising Republican primary, on top of the nearly $18 million it has already spent on his behalf, Kayla Guo reported for The Texas Tribune.

Roughly three-quarters of GOP spending has come from pro-Cornyn sources. (Photo: John Cornyn Facebook)

Cornyn, serving his fourth term in the U.S. Senate, is fighting to keep his seat against challenges from Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston in a contest that appears headed for a May runoff.

Outside groups, Senate Republican leadership, and Cornyn’s own fundraising committees have spent tens of millions of dollars to support the incumbent and attack his GOP rivals.

The Texas Senate race became the second-most expensive in the country on Tuesday, according to AdImpact, with $98.2 million in total ad spending.

Roughly three-quarters of GOP spending has come from pro-Cornyn sources. Still, recent public polling shows Paxton leading the race.

Perry’s group has outspent all but one other outside group backing Cornyn. Combined with the senator’s campaign, nearly $60 million has been poured into the race, according to AdImpact.

The former governor made clear that spending would continue into a runoff if Cornyn advances beyond the March 3 election.

“We are committed to John, and we will spend whatever we need to spend for him to be successful,” Perry said.