Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) could have a leg up in the race to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) later this year after senators claimed that fundraising prowess could play a crucial role in their decision.

Cornyn, who is considered the second-best fundraiser in the Senate after McConnell, comes from a large fundraising state and has already donated and raised millions of dollars for Republican senators this year. Cornyn is running against Sen. John Thune (R-SD) for the role.