SuperPACs tied to President Trump and Elon Musk have begun to wade into Texas’ United States Senate race in a major way, with initial ad buys totaling over $11 million.
The spending disclosures filed by MAGA Inc, which is associated with President Trump, and the Elon Musk-backed America PAC came days after Lone Star Liberty – a SuperPAC boosting Ken Paxton’s Senate bid – disclosed over $9.2 million in advertising buys. Truth and Courage PAC, which is associated with Senator Ted Cruz, also reported spending over $1.7 million on the race in late August.
MAGA Inc. disclosed a $10 million ad buy on September 4, with ads that focus on taxes. The disclosure indicated the ads supported Paxton and opposed James Talarico.
MAGA War Room, a social media account managed by MAGA Inc., posted videos of two ads contrasting the records of Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.
“James Talarico voted to make it easier to increase property taxes, supported a $4 trillion tax hike, and Talarico supports a radical healthcare plan that could close rural hospitals and cost thousands in new taxes. Ken Paxton supports tax cuts and has a plan to let you deduct medical expenses and the down payment on your home. When it comes to taxes, Ken Paxton is the better choice,” says one of MAGA Inc.’s ads.
The other ad from MAGA Inc. focuses on an affordability agenda Paxton rolled out several weeks ago while also highlighting Talarico’s support for higher taxes, including higher taxes on Social Security.
America PAC, funded by businessman Elon Musk, reported spending $1.3 million on digital ads opposing Talarico on September 4. These ads appear to be focused on Talarico’s comments and votes on social issues. One ad features a clip of Talarico on the floor of the Texas House asserting that “God is non-binary,” while also emphasizing his belief that there are six genders and his support for biological boys being able to play in girls’ sports and for “taxpayer-funded sex change surgeries on kids.”
America PAC’s other ads against Talarico also feature similar messaging, with one ad urging voters to “defeat Talarico and his radical trans agenda.”
The recent outside spending to help Paxton comes as Talarico’s campaign entered the home stretch of the election season with a much larger warchest. As of June 30, Talarico’s campaign reported having over $21.5 million on hand, compared to just over $1.75 million for Paxton.
While SuperPAC spending to aid Paxton helps narrow that fundraising gap, a candidate’s official campaign committee can buy television advertising at a more favorable rate than a SuperPAC can.
