Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) informed his Senate GOP colleagues Tuesday that he plans to donate $250,000 out of his re-election account to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Cornyn, who has been rumored to be interested in succeeding Sen. John Ensign (Nev.) as NRSC chairman, is delivering to the committee one of the larger single donations it has received this cycle from a Republican Senator. Cornyn is running for a second term against state Rep. Rick Noriega (D).

“Sen. Cornyn is focused firmly on his own re-election race,” said his spokesman, Brian Walsh. “But he is also committed to supporting the good work of Sen. Ensign and the NRSC as Republicans work to retake the majority in the Senate.”

Cornyn made the announcement this afternoon at NRSC headquarters, where the Senate Republican Conference was holding its weekly policy luncheon. Cornyn reported $9.4 million in cash on hand in his campaign account as of June 30; Noriega reported $916,000.

The Democrats currently hold 51 seats in the Senate, compared with Republicans’ 49.

But with the GOP defending 23 seats this cycle, to just 12 for the Democrats — including several Republican-held seats in competitive states — the Democrats are expected to make gains in the Nov. 4 elections.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee reported $46.3 million on hand as of June 30, compared to just $24.6 million for the NRSC.