Story perspectives

Super PACs Pour $131 Million Into Paxton’s Senate Bid

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 10:28 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Paxton Receives Massive Funding

A Republican political action committee poured $131 million into Ken Paxton’s Senate bid over a 17-day period.
Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. contributed $22.2 million to pro-Paxton advertising since early September.
A Texas PAC linked to Senate leadership spent up to $125 million on airtime for Paxton, making the race ninth-most costly.
Democratic rival James Talarico has raised about $72 million, while Paxton reported just under $17 million in campaign funds.

Summary

Paxton Blames Trump

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Donald Trump's midterm convention hurt his Senate campaign numbers.
Paxton made the comment at a fundraiser in Washington in early September 2026.
A ReconMR Texas poll showed Paxton at 43% versus Democrat James Talarico at 49%.
President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton, praised him, and mocked his appearance during the Dallas convention.
Paxton's campaign called the leaked audio “manipulated nonsense” and offered no further comment.

History

Historical Context

In March 2002 President George W. Bush signed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, banning soft-money donations to national parties and limiting corporate issue ads. The 2010 Citizens United ruling removed those limits, enabling unlimited super-PAC spending. Today, super-PAC MAGA Inc. and a Texas leadership PAC have poured $131 million and $125 million into Ken Paxton’s Senate race, reflecting the law’s legacy.

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Paxton Receives Massive Funding

A Republican political action committee poured $131 million into Ken Paxton’s Senate bid over a 17-day period.
Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. contributed $22.2 million to pro-Paxton advertising since early September.
A Texas PAC linked to Senate leadership spent up to $125 million on airtime for Paxton, making the race ninth-most costly.
Democratic rival James Talarico has raised about $72 million, while Paxton reported just under $17 million in campaign funds.

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