Musk's Midterm Bet: A $76 Million Push for Texas
America PAC injected tens of millions into the Texas Senate race in the final fortnight of the campaign, solidifying the billionaire's status as the cycle's largest individual donor.
By Elijah Fitzgerald ·
The final two weeks of the midterm campaign have been defined by a massive infusion of capital aimed at securing a Republican hold on the U.S. Senate in Texas. A pre-election report filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday revealed that Elon Musk’s personal political committee, America PAC, received more than $76 million in new contributions during this critical period. This late-stage surge underscores the high stakes involved as the election enters its concluding phase.
The committee deployed nearly $43 million in expenditures during the same two-week window, leaving it with approximately $47 million in cash reserves for the final stretch. The Texas Senate contest consumed the majority of these funds, attracting $15.2 million in the immediate reporting period. This sum is double the amount the PAC spent in that specific race throughout the summer, marking a significant escalation in intensity.
Spending in Texas was heavily skewed toward attacking the Democratic candidate, James Talarico. Of the recent funds, $12.4 million targeted Talarico, while $2.8 million promoted Republican opponent Ken Paxton. Daily filings indicate an additional $9.1 million spent against Talarico following the initial report, bringing the total cycle spending against him to nearly $28 million. This figure represents roughly 40 percent of all money the PAC has allocated to supporting or opposing candidates in this election.
The committee also shifted its advertising strategy, directing $11.4 million toward digital platforms in the final two weeks. This digital spend nearly matched the combined total of traditional mail and texting efforts. According to an analysis of FEC filings, Musk has now contributed over $445 million to Republican political groups this cycle, establishing him as the largest known individual donor in the midterms. More than $165 million of that total has flowed to America PAC since July.
Musk has remained active online regarding the Texas race, which he has described as having something deeply wrong with it. He recently called Talarico a creep and asserted, without providing evidence, that the Democrat would vote to remove children from parents to transition them. Earlier in the month, Musk amplified a false claim that Talarico had been treated at a mental health facility. Talarico responded by criticizing a political system that allows a trillionaire to effectively purchase a Senate seat.
Despite the heavy spending, the race remains competitive. An Emerson College poll conducted between October 17 and 19 found Talarico leading by two points, with 48 percent support compared to Paxton’s 46 percent. This margin is within the poll’s three-point margin of error. The outcome matters significantly for Musk, as a Democratic House majority would likely trigger investigations into his role in the Department of Government Efficiency and his companies’ federal contracts. Democratic lawmakers have already signaled they would scrutinize federal funding awarded to Musk’s businesses, including restrictions on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite service in Ukraine.
America PAC declined to comment on the new figures. The final days of the campaign will now hinge on whether these substantial expenditures can sway enough undecided voters to tip the balance in a tightly contested state.
