Elon Musk funnels $158 million to Texas super PAC backing Ken Paxton’s Senate bid
Elon Musk transferred a total of $158 million to a Texas super PAC that backs Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton’s bid for the United States Senate in September 2026, making the race the most expensive Senate contest ever recorded.
The infusion of money arrives at a pivotal moment in a tightly contested race against Democrat state Rep. James Talarico. Analysts note that the added resources could tip the balance in a contest that is currently within a few percentage points in national polls.
According to Federal Election Commission filings, Musk made two $75 million donations to the Senate Leadership Fund on September 9 and September 23, and two $83 million donations on September 10 and September 24. Each contribution was transferred to the Texas‑based super PAC the following day, creating a single, $158 million cash flow that has been earmarked for Paxton’s campaign.
Since the transfers, the Texas super PAC has spent more than $120 million on independent expenditures, with advertising alone exceeding $159 million across television, radio, and digital platforms—roughly twice the amount spent by Talarico’s campaign.
Paxton’s opponent, James Talarico, has raised a record $64 million in the third quarter, the highest amount ever reported for a Senate candidate in that period, according to campaign data. The close fundraising totals underscore the competitiveness of the race in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in over three decades.
Musk’s political spending this cycle surpasses $350 million, covering donations to other Republican entities such as the Congressional Leadership Fund ($20 million), the Republican Governors Association ($10 million), and additional contributions to MAGA Inc. and his own America PAC.
“Thanks to some generous investors who have dedicated money to an affiliate, Texas PAC, we’ve been able to go in and support Ken Paxton. We’ll spend nearly $200 million in that race. But again, thanks to Leader John Thune and the Republican caucus and our fundraising, we haven’t had to subtract resources from other states to do so,” said Senate Leadership Fund executive director Alex Latcham in a Bloomberg interview.
The influx of nearly $200 million earmarked for Texas, according to the fund’s leaders, allows Republican Senate strategists to maintain pressure elsewhere while defending a crucial seat that contributes to a 53‑seat majority in the chamber.
With the November 3 election approaching, both campaigns are expected to intensify advertising buys, and watchdog groups have signaled they will closely monitor Musk’s role in the contest as it could set a precedent for billionaire‑driven influence in future elections.
