In an October 2026 interview, Shane Goldmacher of The New York Times put the Republican money advantage at the largest in roughly 20 years, almost entirely from big donors. The discussion now extends to state races: Greg Abbott had $100 million in his campaign account, while Hinojosa lacks Talarico's money. The cash gap is framed as a real limit on Democratic gains and a reversal of the 2016-2024 pattern.