Elon Musk Funds Record-Breaking Texas Senate Race for Ken Paxton
Elon Musk and Republican donors have spent over $500 million to support Ken Paxton in a historic Texas Senate race against James Talarico.
Republican donors, led by Elon Musk, are spending hundreds of millions of dollars in a late effort to support Ken Paxton in a highly competitive U.S. Senate race in Texas. Combined advertising spending has exceeded $500 million, placing the contest on track to be the most expensive U.S. Senate race in history.
Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which transferred matching sums to the Texas PAC. The TPG super PAC spent nearly $149 million on advertising to support Paxton. Republican messaging has focused on culture-war themes and attacks on Democratic candidate James Talarico's record regarding gender-transition care for minors.
Talarico currently holds a small lead in polling, though the gap remains within the margin of error. His campaign has focused on Paxton's history of corruption allegations and legal challenges. Despite the financial surge, Republicans face challenges with voter enthusiasm linked to the cost of living and a war with Iran launched by President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Paxton.
