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Elon Musk has formally endorsed Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, urging Texans to vote for him in the upcoming midterms. In a post on X, the social media platform he owns, Musk stated, "The fate of Texas and America is at stake. Vote for @KenPaxtonTX today." Musk has been a significant financial supporter of Paxton, donating over $150 million to a political action committee backing his campaign, as reported by The Hill.
Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, is in a competitive race against Democratic state Representative James Talarico. Despite Texas being a traditionally Republican state, the race is tight, with Talarico leading Paxton by 2.2 points according to a polling average by Decision Desk HQ, as of Tuesday (October 20).
The Texas Senate race has seen significant financial investment, with more than $500 million spent on ads, including over $350 million from Republicans. However, despite the heavy spending, the polls have not shifted significantly in Paxton's favor. CNN reports that Musk's involvement in the race has been a topic of discussion among Texas voters, reflecting the broader influence of his donations in the state's 2026 midterm election.
Musk, who moved from California to Austin in 2020, has been a prominent Republican donor, previously supporting President Trump in 2024. His financial contributions to Paxton's campaign highlight his continued involvement in Texas politics.