Texas Senate race becomes the costliest in US history with $573m spent

At least $573.2 million was spent to support the candidates in the United States Senate race in Texas as of Tuesday, November 3, making it the most expensive federal election in the country's history. The total includes funds raised directly by the campaigns and independent expenditures from outside groups. Voters in the state began casting their ballots on Tuesday to select the winner between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.

The spending surge began well before the election day. Elon Musk, whose SpaceX company is headquartered in southern Texas, directed at least $212 million toward Paxton's campaign. A New York Times analysis estimated that this figure is likely an undercount due to anonymous spending. Musk previously led the Department of Government Efficiency, a federal cost-cutting panel appointed by President Donald Trump. Additionally, Trump's MAGA Inc PAC contributed at least $10 million to support Paxton.

Talarico raised $155 million for his campaign, surpassing the $40 million raised by Paxton. Federal law caps the amount individual donors can contribute to a campaign, requiring those donors to identify themselves. However, political action committees known as super PACs can spend unlimited amounts in support of a candidate, provided they do not coordinate directly with the campaign. Paxton received the bulk of this outside spending, including $168 million from the Senate Leadership Fund, which largely supports the Republican candidate. The Lone Star Rising PAC spent at least $21 million to aid Talarico.

Candidates delivered their final arguments late on Monday, November 2, while national attention turned to the state. Talarico positioned himself as an underdog, referencing the television show Friday Night Lights and criticizing Paxton's past corruption allegations as Texas attorney general. He argued that the heavy spending by Musk demonstrated a preference for wealthy interests over ordinary voters. From San Antonio, Talarico stated that a victory would shock the billionaires and mark the first time a Democrat won statewide office in Texas since 1994.

Paxton countered by portraying Talarico as a threat to the state's identity, which has been dominated by Republicans for three decades. His campaign frequently cited the 1836 Texas Revolution against Mexican control. Speaking in Collin County, Paxton warned that a loss for his party would mean losing jobs and the local way of life. He claimed that Texas is unique and that if the state falls, there is no other state to move to.

Voters expressed mixed reactions to the record expenditures. Rico Sanchez, a 40-year-old union sheet metal worker, voted for the Democratic ticket due to high living costs. He described the spending as money going to the wrong things and emphasized the need for control. Kasey Blanco, 21, split his ballot by voting for Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Talarico. He said the extent of political spending was scary and distorted the view of the candidates.

Monique Orellana, 46, said she was uncomfortable with Musk's financial injection into the race. She noted that she would vote Republican if the party kept its promises, such as fixing grocery prices, but felt they had not delivered. Luis Plazas, 58, said he was less concerned about the spending but wanted economic improvements and a change in the deportation campaign. He voted Republican based on religious beliefs and a preference for conservative values, despite not being fully happy with the candidates.