Texas voters are heading to the polls for a Senate contest that has already set a record for campaign spending, with more than $573 million poured into both sides of the race. The money comes from a mix of candidate‑raised funds and outside political action committees, including a staggering $212 million from billionaire Elon Musk to support Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
Paxton, the former Texas attorney general, has received the lion’s share of outside spending. A New York Times analysis found that Musk’s Senate Leadership Fund contributed $168 million to Paxton’s campaign, while the Trump‑aligned MAGA Inc. PAC added at least $10 million. Paxton’s total campaign funds amount to roughly $40 million, far below the $155 million raised by Democrat James Talarico.
In contrast, Talarico’s campaign has benefited from $21 million from the Lone Star Rising PAC, a Texas‑based super‑PAC that supports Democratic candidates. Talarico’s own fundraising has outpaced Paxton’s, reflecting a broader national trend of Democrats raising more money in high‑stakes races.
Voters in Texas have expressed discomfort with the sheer scale of the spending. “That kind of money is being spent on the wrong stuff,” said Rico Sanchez, a union sheet metal worker who voted for the Democrats because of the high cost of living. Kasey Blanco, a 21‑year‑old who split his ballot between Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Talarico, echoed the sentiment, saying, “It’s kind of scary. You see the extent that a lot of these politicians are trying to get into the game and distort the view.”
Both candidates used the final day of campaigning to highlight their platforms. Talarico focused on Paxton’s past corruption allegations and criticized the influence of big money, pointing to Musk’s spending as evidence that the candidate prioritizes wealthy donors over ordinary Texans. He also referenced the popular television series “Friday Night Lights” to emphasize an underdog narrative.
A victory for Talarico would mark the first time a Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, a milestone that could signal a shift in the state’s political landscape. Paxton, meanwhile, has maintained that political power should come from the people, a claim that has been challenged by the unprecedented level of outside money in the race.
Source: Al Jazeera
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