A $168M battle: Texas Democrat James Talarico faces Musk-backed Ken Paxton in a David-and-Goliath Senate race

Talarico’s rally comparison

At a packed rally in Texas on Thursday, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico compared his campaign to the biblical story of David and Goliath. He told supporters, “You are my slingshot,” without naming Musk or the money being directed against him. Talarico has framed politics as a contest between the ultrawealthy and everyone else, rather than a simple fight between right and left. He said, “We are going up against our own Goliaths.”

A closer Senate contest

Talarico was initially seen as another Democrat likely to inspire brief optimism before losing on Election Day. He is now viewed as a genuine challenger to Republican Ken Paxton.

Voter hesitation about Paxton has contributed to Talarico’s progress. Paxton has faced persistent corruption questions and was impeached by his own party in the Texas legislature, then acquitted.

Money and fundraising

Thursday’s filings showed Musk gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which transferred the same amount to Texas PAC, Paxton’s main backer. Musk also gave $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, another committee supporting Paxton.

Stakes beyond Texas

A Talarico victory would make him the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Texas in more than 30 years. The contest is among the nation’s most expensive and closely watched Senate races.

The outcome will help determine Senate control during Trump’s final two years in office, affecting whether his administration sees legislative passage or sustained investigations and resistance. Trump has made multiple Texas visits to campaign for Paxton, while Talarico has distanced himself from Joe Biden’s administration and national Democratic leaders.