From Salon · Gabby Birenbaum · · 2m
Elon Musk Funds Senate GOP Rescue for Ken Paxton
Elon Musk donated $190 million to boost Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign in Texas.
In brief
Elon Musk donated $190 million to boost Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign in Texas. Elon Musk provided $190 million to Senate Republicans to rescue Ken Paxton’s Senate race in Texas. Originally reported by Salon.
Senate Republicans launch rescue mission
Republicans dropped over $200 million to boost Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race.
Elon Musk funds Senate race
Musk poured nearly $190 million into U.S. Senate race in Texas.
Musk’s first donation
Musk gave $75 million to Senate Leadership Fund on Sept 9.
Second donation from Musk
Musk gave $83 million to Senate Leadership Fund two weeks later.
Texas PAC ad spending
SLF spent $159 million on TV, radio and digital ads.
SLF’s role in campaign
SLF backed Sen. John Cornyn in primary and estimated $150-200 million needed for Paxton.
Musk’s political involvement
Musk’s team reached out to Senate Leadership Fund to support Paxton.
Lone Star Liberty PAC funding
Lone Star Liberty PAC received $10 million from Musk and raised $5 million.
Lone Star Liberty PAC’s need
Lone Star Liberty PAC had only $35,000 by end of June.
Talarico’s fundraising
Talarico raised $64 million in Q3, a record for Senate candidates.
Paxton’s ad spending
Paxton’s group spent $17.5 million on TV ads in early September.
Total ad spending
Over $217 million spent on ads by outside groups in Texas Senate race.
Paxton’s tech focus
Paxton has investigated Musk’s X and other tech companies as attorney general.
Criticism of Paxton
Critics accuse Paxton of ignoring Musk’s AI content issues.
Musk’s ground game
Musk’s PAC spent $18.8 million on Republican ground operations.
Musk’s business ties
Musk moved company incorporations to Texas and has Texas headquarters.
Musk’s other donations
Musk donated $800,000 to five competitive U.S. House races.
The takeaway
Elon Musk provided $190 million to Senate Republicans to rescue Ken Paxton’s Senate race in Texas.
