Feud with megadonor helps topple Rep. Crenshaw in Texas primary
A Texas billionaire donor, Robert Marling, funded about two-thirds of a pro-Toth super PAC’s anti-Crenshaw campaign with roughly $675,000, helping Steve Toth defeat Rep. Dan Crenshaw 55% to 40% in the Republican primary. The feud between Crenshaw and Marling—centered on district dynamics and ideological differences—was amplified by mailers and TV ads paid for by Marling, with Trump not endorsing Crenshaw and Cruz involved on the opposing side. The loss illustrates how a single affluent donor can seize a GOP primary in a single district.