Cornyn: Stretched resources could be challenge for GOP this fall

Scarce resources will be one of the biggest challenges facing Senate Republicans' campaign efforts, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Wednesday.

Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), said a wide playing field would stretch thin the assistance the Senate GOP campaign committee could offer to candidates this fall.

"One of our challenges is that there are so many states in play [...] that we're going to have to allocate resources in a way that maximizes our opportunities," Cornyn said during an appearance on ABC News's "Top Line" webcast.

A day after voters across the country helped decide some of the Republican challengers in open or occupied Senate seats, Cornyn said he's begun the process of reaching out to Republican candidates to offer assistance. Some candidates, however, defeated NRSC-favored candidates in high-profile races.

"I think we have a lot of opportunities," Cornyn said about the crop of GOP candidates this fall.

The NRSC had just under $17.1 million in cash on hand going forward in this cycle at the end of April, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. That amount roughly equals the amount the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) had banked through the end of the same time period.

DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez (N.J.), meanwhile, expressed confidence Wednesday morning in his committee's funding and resources this year.

"We are going to have the resources to help our candidates seek reelection, and we are going to judge every race on a case-by-case basis, that's always been the case at the DSCC," he said during an appearance on MSNBC. "It will always be the case."

The Texas senator did note a tumultuous cycle for candidates in both parties, advising his flock to hew closely to voters.

"I think most of this is going to be directed toward Democrats," Cornyn said of the anti-incumbent sentiment. "But I would suggest to anyone on the ballot in 2010 that they'd better be listening and responding."

— Jordan Fabian contributed to this report.