For months, Texas Republicans have anxiously awaited the arrival of national resources to help boost Ken Paxton, one of the GOP’s most vulnerable Senate candidates.
Now, Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has entered the scene, this week disclosing the first spending from his super PAC to benefit Paxton and raising GOP hopes that the floodgates soon will open wide to help the Texas attorney general overcome a deep financial deficit with his Democratic rival James Talarico. Other groups, including a super PAC associated with Sen. Ted Cruz, also have begun to step up their activity on Paxton’s behalf.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump’s political operation disclosed $10 million in spending to aid Paxton, marking the first major outlay by Trump’s main super PAC to help Republicans in the midterms.
Musk’s America PAC is largely funded by the billionaire himself, who has become one of the biggest individual donors shaping US politics — and a major player in Texas politics specifically.
With its activity, America PAC has signaled the Texas contest is one of its priorities as it plans massive spending to shape the outcome of the midterms. One person who has spoken to the group in Texas says they are hiring for what they believe to be an expansive turnout operation in the state.
