Talarico targets Musk’s spending as Texas Senate race enters final stretch
publishers 45articles 75first reported 3 Oct, 02:45 UTCdeveloping since 3 Oct · 30 editions
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico has intensified attacks on Elon Musk’s financial support for Republican Ken Paxton as early voting begins in Texas ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
In a new campaign advertisement and at rallies, Talarico declared that “Texas is not for sale” and accused Musk of trying to secure political influence by supporting Paxton. CNBC calculated that Musk has spent about $366 million across 40 races during the 2026 midterms, including at least $189.6 million through various channels in support of Paxton. Federal filings cited by The Guardian show Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which transferred the same amount to a Republican super PAC backing Paxton.
Musk attacked Talarico in posts on X, saying there was “something deeply wrong” with him and alleging that he “hates Texas and America.” Talarico responded that the political system allows a single wealthy donor to seek his “own personal U.S. senator.”
The candidates also held competing rallies in the Fort Worth area as voting began. Talarico focused on affordability and Paxton’s legal and ethical controversies, while Paxton criticized Talarico’s positions on meat, energy and gender and presented himself as a defender of Christianity and the oil and gas industry.
Libertarian nominee Ted Brown rejected claims that his candidacy could spoil the close contest, saying votes for him represent support for an alternative to the two major parties. The Cook Political Report has rated the race a toss-up, while several recent polls have shown Talarico narrowly ahead.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 552 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
- 75
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 552 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- passed
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- none
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