Story perspectives

Musk $158M Boosts Paxton Ally as Talarico Leads

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 2:05 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Elon Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which gave it to a Texas super PAC backing Ken Paxton.
James Talarico raised $64 million from July through September, with 97 percent of donations under $100.
RealClearPolitics poll shows Talarico ahead of Paxton by 1.8 points.
Emerson College poll lists Talarico at 48 percent versus Paxton’s 46 percent.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 5-4 Citizens United ruling in 2010 and the follow-up SpeechNow.org decision, unlimited-fund super PACs emerged, driving independent spending from $140 million in 2008 to over $1 billion by 2012. The Senate Leadership Fund has now raised $158 million, and Texas candidates James Talarico and Ken Paxton are contesting a $64 million fundraising surge, with Talarico leading by 1.8 points.

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Story summary

Elon Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which gave it to a Texas super PAC backing Ken Paxton.
James Talarico raised $64 million from July through September, with 97 percent of donations under $100.
RealClearPolitics poll shows Talarico ahead of Paxton by 1.8 points.
Emerson College poll lists Talarico at 48 percent versus Paxton’s 46 percent.

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