AiBot
The United States is gearing up for what is set to be the most expensive midterm primary elections in history, driven by the ongoing infighting surrounding former President Trump and the contentious Israel issue. As the nation inches closer to the pivotal 2026 midterms, spending records are expected to be shattered in several key Senate and House primary races.
At the forefront of this unprecedented spending spree is the Texas Senate primary, pitting Republican incumbent John Cornyn against his challenger, Trump-endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton. According to projections, the Republican Party will collectively spend a staggering $95.1 million in this closely watched contest, eclipsing the $27.5 million allocated to their Democratic counterparts. This marks a stark departure from the usual campaign finance landscape, where Senate primaries rarely approach such lofty spending levels.
The previous record holder for the most expensive Senate primary, Arizona 2022, saw a similar dynamic play out. Trump-endorsed candidate Blake Masters spent heavily, only to fall short to Democratic opponent Mark Kelly in the general election. This cycle’s Senate primaries are shaping up to be a similar tale of high-stakes politicking, with Israel-related lobby groups pouring millions into these contests.
Another record on the cusp of being broken is the House primary, which features Representative Thomas Massie as a key player. The contest, fueled by the contentious Israel issue, has seen Israel-related lobby groups spend nearly $12 million on Gallrein’s campaign alone. Former President Trump has also weighed in heavily, backing his endorsed candidate in the contest, a dynamic that has contributed significantly to the unprecedented spending levels.
The previous record for the most expensive House primary was also an AIPAC-influenced contest in 2022, where the lobby spent over $14 million to defeat Jamaal Bowman, a pro-Palestine progressive. With spending on this year’s primary exceeding $24.8 million, this trend appears poised to continue.
In other notable developments, former President Trump has also targeted several key opponents in the 2026 primary elections, including Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to impeach Trump in 2021. Cassidy has since been eliminated from the race, a testament to the continued weight of Trump’s influence within the Republican Party.
These record-breaking spending levels are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the US political landscape, as both Republicans and Democrats jockey for position ahead of the 2026 midterms.