Elon Musk Starts Spending Millions on Midterms. Texas and Maine Emerge as Key Senate Targets.

Elon Musk's political machine is beginning to deploy money for the 2026 midterm elections, offering the first concrete look at which congressional races the billionaire sees as critical to Republican hopes of maintaining power in Washington.

America PAC, the super PAC backed by Musk, spent more than $800,000 across seven U.S. Senate races and several competitive House contests, according to a new Federal Election Commission disclosure.

The initial spending is relatively small compared with the political war chest Musk could eventually unleash. He has reportedly authorized America PAC to spend as much as $120 million to help elect Republicans in November, making him a potentially powerful financial force in the closing months of the campaign.

For now, the Senate is clearly the priority. Nearly 90% of the $800,475 disclosed Wednesday went toward Senate contests, with Texas receiving by far the biggest investment. America PAC spent more than $247,000 to support Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and oppose Democrat James Talarico.

Talarico has dramatically outspent Paxton on advertising since the general election began. As of August 20, the Democrat's campaign had spent more than $25 million on ads since late May, while Paxton's campaign had spent only about $119,000, according to AdImpact data cited by The Texas Tribune.

America PAC had already stepped up its social media attacks against Talarico before the new expenditures surfaced. Maine is Musk's second-biggest Senate target so far. The PAC spent roughly $170,000 in the state, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins is fighting for reelection in a race with potentially major implications for control of the chamber.

Another nearly $106,000 went to Ohio to support Republican Sen. Jon Husted. America PAC also disclosed $91,459 in New Hampshire, $54,600 in Iowa, $25,605 in Michigan, and $17,235 in Alaska.

The expenditures were made between August 18 and August 31, although the filing also lists two expenses scheduled for September 10. All were categorized as printing costs, suggesting Musk's group is initially focusing on direct-mail advertising rather than expensive television campaigns.

America PAC is also entering the battle for the House, although on a smaller scale. Nearly $90,000 was directed across eight congressional races, supporting Republican incumbents Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin, Mike Lawler in New York, Jen Kiggans in Virginia, Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey, and Scott Perry, Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania.

The PAC is also backing Republican Scott Singer, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz in Florida. The spending comes days after House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly met with Musk in Texas while campaigning for Republicans in competitive congressional districts.

Johnson subsequently told CBS News that Musk had publicly discussed much of his political activity but declined to reveal details of their private conversation. "We're going to win the midterms," Johnson said.

Musk's return as a major Republican financier represents another turn in his complicated relationship with politics and President Donald Trump. The billionaire spent hundreds of millions of dollars supporting Trump and other Republicans during the 2024 election, including more than $239 million contributed to America PAC.

After joining the Trump administration to lead the Department of Government Efficiency and later publicly falling out with the president, Musk suggested his days of massive political spending might be ending. "I think I've done enough," Musk said in 2025 when asked about future political contributions.

That retreat did not last, as Musk has since repaired his relationship with Trump and Republican leaders. The New York Times reported in July that he authorized America PAC to spend up to $120 million on a field operation designed to elect Republicans in the midterms.