Texas Democrats Say Elon Musk’s Spending Has Not Sunk James Talarico’s Senate Bid - Music

Elon Musk has directed more than $400 million toward Republican-aligned efforts in the 2026 midterms, including $158 million supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Democratic strategists argue that the spending has failed to overwhelm James Talarico’s campaign and may have brought political baggage of its own.

Republicans have relied heavily on their financial advantage as they try to prevent a Democratic surge in the 2026 midterm elections. Elon Musk has contributed more than $400 million to races nationwide this cycle, including $158 million to super PACs supporting Ken Paxton in his Texas Senate contest against Democrat James Talarico.

With the election approaching, Democratic strategists say the spending has not achieved its intended effect. Luke Warford, a Texas Democratic strategist and co-founder of the Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund, said the campaign was feeling as confident as possible. Matt Angle, director of the Democratic Lone Star Project, acknowledged that the scale of Republican spending had been a serious concern, but said Democrats never expected to match it financially.

Musk-backed groups, including the Texas PAC and America PAC, have spent weeks attacking Talarico on television, radio, social media and other platforms. Their messages have portrayed him as too radical for Texas voters, focusing on his positions on abortion, LGBTQ issues, capitalism and border security. A Paxton campaign advertisement also used an AI-generated image of Talarico defacing a Bible.

Warford argued that the attacks repeat themes used against Democrats in 2024 and may be less effective against a candidate who has built his own public profile. Talarico’s campaign has emphasized earned media and direct communication with voters through social media, an approach intended to limit the impact of conventional television advertising.

Democratic operatives also say their party has become more strategic in its advertising, including by investing beyond traditional television markets. Warford said the race’s underlying political conditions give Democrats a chance and questioned whether Musk’s spending could move Paxton several points ahead.

Musk’s political role has also become part of the Democratic argument. Angle said Talarico and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa have used Musk’s relationship with Donald Trump to portray Texas Republicans as increasingly aligned with national Republican politics and wealthy donors.

The spending may carry a further liability because of Musk’s own public profile. Warford said voters were aware that the world’s richest man was intervening to support what Democrats describe as a weak and unpopular candidate, arguing that the money came with substantial political baggage.

Democrats also believe Republican spending during the primary may have weakened Paxton before the general election began. John Cornyn, who lost the Republican nomination to Paxton after Paxton received Trump’s endorsement, benefited from a large-scale negative advertising effort against Paxton. Angle said that primary fight may have damaged Paxton more than later Democratic attacks did.

As voting nears its end, Democratic strategists remain cautious but view the race as an unusually strong opportunity. Warford described it as the best chance Texas Democrats have had in a generation, despite the unprecedented Republican-aligned spending directed at the contest.

Sources: Rolling Stone.