Elon Musk cash, culture wars, and Trump endorsements collide in explosive Texas Senate showdown

Texas Democrats tried Tuesday to win their first statewide office since 1994, challenging Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a U. S. Senate race that has become one of the costliest and most bitter of the midterms. Republicans worry about losing the seat, which would further endanger their narrowing Senate majority, according to The Independent.

Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn in the primary after President Donald Trump endorsed him late, despite GOP leaders' concern that his legal troubles made him the weaker pick. He was impeached in 2023 and acquitted by fellow Republicans, and a federal corruption probe ended without charges. His wife is now divorcing him. Paxton, who appeared with Trump several times, portrayed Democrat James Talarico as too progressive for Texas, citing his past remarks on gender. Talarico has called some of those statements "cringey" and opposes transgender athletes in women's sports where safety or fairness is at risk.

Talarico cast the contest as ordinary people against the ultra-wealthy, pointing to Elon Musk, who put $158 million into the Senate Leadership Fund, which passed the same sum to a Texas PAC backing Paxton. Musk also gave $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →