Elon Musk’s growing financial support for Texas Republicans has brought his long-standing relationships with the state’s political leadership under renewed scrutiny as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Federal Election Commission filings show that Musk has contributed at least $158 million to a super PAC supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign, while a newly released state report shows he donated $5 million to Gov. Greg Abbott’s re-election effort.
Musk backs Paxton and Abbott
Although polls suggest that several races in traditionally deep-red Texas are unusually close, Musk has publicly endorsed Paxton. In a post on X last week, he wrote: “The fate of Texas and America is at stake. Vote for @KenPaxtonTX today.”
A newly released state campaign report shows that Musk donated $5 million to Abbott’s re-election effort, making him the governor’s single largest donor.
Abbott correspondence faces court-ordered release
The relationship between Abbott and Musk has attracted public interest for years. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who is running against Abbott, recently filed a lawsuit seeking access to all 1,400 pages of correspondence between the governor and Musk. Abbott had been trying to block the records’ release.
Abbott’s office described the communications as “intimate and embarrassing.”
This week, a judge ruled that Abbott had unlawfully “interfered with, and continues to interfere with” Hinojosa’s right, as a state lawmaker, to access the documents and ordered their release. Abbott has appealed. A hearing is scheduled for November 2, one day before the election.
Talarico attacks Paxton’s record
State Rep. James Talarico, who is running against Paxton in the Senate race, has focused his campaign on his opponent’s record. As attorney general, Paxton was indicted on felony securities-fraud charges, which he settled without a plea. He was also accused by a whistleblower of using his office to obtain financial benefits for political donors and was impeached, although he was later acquitted.
At a campaign event in El Paso on Monday, Talarico questioned Paxton’s relationship with Musk.
“Ken Paxton is the ultimate megadonor,” Talarico said. “Elon Musk is trying to buy this Senate seat.”
Musk’s broader Texas ties
Musk’s involvement in Texas politics did not begin with the 2026 midterm elections. Over the years, he has benefited from favorable relationships with state leaders, tax breaks and political allies.
Tesla moved its headquarters from Palo Alto, California, to Austin in 2021. SpaceX moved its headquarters from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas, in 2024.
Musk’s initial move to Texas coincided with a change in operations within the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Previously, attorneys would draft notices of investigation—administrative subpoenas known as CIDs—based on public complaints or evidence they had gathered, then send them upstream for approval.
Source: www.wired.com