Over $500m spent on ads in Texas Senate race between Paxton and Talarico

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 00:15 · Archive

Over $500 million has been spent on political advertising in the Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.

Over $500 million has been spent on political advertising in the closely watched Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico ahead of November's midterm elections.

James Talarico, a young progressive candidate known for faith-based messaging, raised a record $64 million in the third quarter, his campaign announced. This surpassed the previous Senate fundraising record of $57 million set by South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison in 2020. Talarico has raised more than $134 million since launching his campaign. His campaign said over 1.3 million people have donated, with 97 per cent of contributions $100 or less.

Ken Paxton's campaign and two affiliated fundraising committees raised a combined $18 million during the quarter. However, Republican outside groups have spent more than $175 million since September supporting Paxton or attacking Talarico, according to AdImpact, significantly offsetting the disparity in direct campaign fundraising.

Elon Musk, the world's richest person, has waded into the race. In September alone, Musk gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, the primary super PAC backing Republican Senate candidates, which accounted for more than half of that committee's fundraising in the third quarter. He separately donated $10 million to Lone Star Liberty Pac, dedicated to supporting Paxton, after the president of the Senate Leadership Fund requested the funding.

Talarico released ads over the summer painting Paxton as a politician with a history of corruption. An unnamed Democratic strategist told Politico: 'He's fighting this battle basically alone while Elon Musk and the full weight of the GOP fundraising apparatus outspends him 2:1. This is still an uphill battle.' Democrats have not won a statewide race in Texas since 1994 or a US Senate race there since 1988, though Talarico defeated an established Democrat for the Senate nomination earlier this year.

How it is being reported

• Democrat Talarico says he raised record $64 million over summer in Texas Senate raceDemocrats have not won statewide in Texas since 1994 or a U.S. Senate race there since 1988, but James Talarico is making the state competitive.CNBC · 15 Oct, 19:35
• Paxton v Talarico: tens of millions of dollars pour into closely watched Texas Senate raceElon Musk has spent $158m in a month to back Republicans in midterm races – with his efforts mostly focused on Texas Tens of millions of dollars are pouring into Texas as Democrats stage an audacious bid to win a US Senate seat in the Republican stronghold. Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is among those wading into the closely watched race as November’s midterm elections approach. Continue reading...Guardian World · 15 Oct, 17:41
• Over $500 million spent on ads during Texas Senate campaign, AdImpact data showsHundreds of millions have been spent on the Senate race in Texas as Ken Paxton and James Talarico battle it out with only weeks left before the midterms. CBS News' Kaia Hubbard reports.CBS News · 14 Oct, 00:36

In this story: Ken Paxton · James Talarico · Elon Musk · Texas · Senate Leadership Fund · Lone Star Liberty Pac

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem