Cornyn touts his lifelong ability to raise money for the GOP in the latest case to succeed McConnell

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, unveiled his updated fundraising for Republicans this election cycle on Friday, bringing his all-time total to nearly $415 million, in a final pitch to Senate colleagues just days before the election of the Republican leader to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

A source familiar with Cornyn’s political operation told Fox News Digital that the Texas Republican ultimately raised $33 million in the 2024 election cycle.

The total included $16 million for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

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“I am deeply grateful to the thousands of Americans who contributed to our efforts this cycle,” Cornyn said in a statement about the fundraising numbers. “Their unprecedented support helped build the resources needed to advance our shared priorities in the Senate. This historic level of engagement reflects the deep commitment of voters who want to see effective, conservative leadership in Washington.”

The huge haul in 2024 brings his total money during his Senate term to about $415 million, the source said.

Cornyn is trying to succeed McConnell as leader among competitors Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D.and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. The election will take place by secret ballot on November 13.

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The ability to raise money is considered a major factor in the upcoming Republican leadership race because the winner will become a symbol of the Republican Congress and will be relied on to drive resources to key Senate races. This is the role McConnell assumed throughout his time in office, during which he became known as a fundraising juggernaut.

Over the course of 2024, Cornyn made his fundraising data public for both colleagues and donors to see.

Notably, the senator has maintained the status of a Republican fundraiser behind McConnell for fifteen years, the source further pointed out.

The Texas Republican founded the Cornyn Victory Committee in 2021 to support Republican campaigns. During the 2021-2022 election cycle, the commission fundraising efforts $20 million, which the source noted was more than all of his GOP colleagues except McConnell and then-NRSC Chairman Scott.

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While Cornyn has proven to have significant ability when it comes to directing resources, Thune has also made a name for himself when it comes to fundraising.

A source familiar with Thune’s political operation shared with Fox News Digital that he also raked in $33 million this election cycle, matching Cornyn.

The source pointed out that during the home stretch of the cycle, Thune was raising money or campaigning in Nevada, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, all of which had Senate races.

Thune has also raised money through his super PAC, New Heights Action, and 501c4 group New Heights for America, raising $22.3 million this cycle. The groups are led by John DeStefano, a former senior Trump administration official.

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In recent months, Thune’s team has been highlighting his travels during the Senate recess, and especially his field campaigns with candidates.

Cornyn’s itinerary has not been made public in its entirety, but the senator has often chosen to take advantage of the reliable fundraising boon that his home state of Texas has been for Republicans. His political operation referred Fox News Digital to various public events in Michigan, Nevada, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania since August.

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The source said the Texas senator raised $1 million in a single day in October for Republican Senate candidates in Ohio, Montana, Michigan and Wisconsin at events in Dallas and Houston.

Scott spent the 2024 cycle on his own re-election bid in Florida, which proved highly successful Tuesday night. The senator won his race handily by a larger margin than predicted.