The Texas Senate race has become a major test of Republican strength, with Democrat James Talarico seeking to become the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the conservative state since 1988. He faces Republican Attorney-General Ken Paxton, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Talarico, a former teacher and seminarian, has made political corruption a central theme of his campaign. Trump has derisively nicknamed him “Talafreako”.
Paxton’s candidacy followed Trump’s intervention to remove a long-serving incumbent in favour of the attorney-general. The Republican has faced a series of controversies, including impeachment by the Republican-led Texas legislature on abuse of office charges, for which he was later acquitted, as well as allegations of multiple extramarital affairs.
Texas Senate race draws Musk funding
The contest has also attracted substantial financial support from Elon Musk, who donated tens of millions of dollars to Paxton’s campaign. The contributions included payments of 75 million US dollars on September 9 and 83 million US dollars on September 23 to the Senate Leadership Fund PAC.
Both sums were transferred to Paxton’s campaign the following day, according to the material. Talarico has accused Musk of attempting to use his wealth to influence the outcome.
“Elon Musk is trying to buy this Senate seat,” Talarico said. “There is something deeply wrong with a political system that allows one trillionaire to buy his own personal US senator.”
