TEXAS PAC
SLF-funded Super PAC that backed Ken Paxton, who lost Texas's 2026 Senate race.
Ken Paxton, the Republican TEXAS PAC spent to elect, lost Texas's Senate race on 3 November 2026 to James Talarico, 42.97% to 55.06%, after the committee had reported $180.93m of spending in the race.
Last refreshed: 11 November 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What did TEXAS PAC's Musk-matched millions buy in the Paxton race?
Timeline for TEXAS PAC
Mentioned in: Colom's Mississippi lead widens to 2,990
US Midterms 2026Talarico beats Paxton by 1.2m in Texas
US Midterms 2026Reported no receipts and $9.22m in cash for 1 to 14 October
US Midterms 2026: Texas PAC reports no October receiptsReported $32.35m against Talarico in one filing
US Midterms 2026: Texas PAC files $32.35m against TalaricoMentioned in: SLF funds new PACs in Nebraska and Maine
US Midterms 2026Background
The Republican that TEXAS PAC backed lost on 3 November 2026. Democrat James Talarico beat Ken Paxton 55.06% to 42.97% on the Texas Secretary of State's unofficial feed, and Paxton conceded before midnight. The committee had spent on both sides of the race, supporting Paxton and attacking Talarico.
TEXAS PAC is a federal Super PAC, FEC committee C00960211, registered on 28 August 2026. Its only reported donor is SLF PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund, which passed it sums matching Elon Musk's September gifts a day after each one. It is one of several fund-financed committees carrying a state's name, alongside The Maine Standard, Cornhusker Majority in Nebraska and Fair Deal Alaska.
CBS News put Musk's spending to boost Paxton at more than $150m, consistent with the filings; a $224m figure reported by CNBC does not match them. The committee concentrated most of the Republican side's Texas Senate money in one vehicle whose donor stayed hidden until mid-October.
TEXAS PAC carried Paxton's side
The committee reported $69.32m by 21 September, $36.75m supporting Paxton and $32.57m opposing Talarico. A single 30 September filing added $61.4m and took its total to $131.5m.
Its largest payments came as voting began. On 21 October it reported $32.35m against Talarico in one filing, money spent on 20 October, the day after in-person early voting opened, which lifted its total in the race to $180.93m. By mid-October it had outspent Talarico's own campaign about two to one, so outside money carried Paxton's side. Paxton still lost by about 1.2 million votes, with all 254 counties reported.
One donor funded TEXAS PAC
For its first weeks the committee filed only statements of organisation and 48-hour notices. More than $85m of Texas Senate spending by it and No Going Back PAC Inc. between 8 and 15 September carried no donor's name.
Its 15 October report listed a single donor: SLF PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund. In September Elon Musk made two gifts to the fund totalling $158m; a day after each, the fund passed TEXAS PAC the identical sum. The filings show matching sums and dates, with no stated link. The committee took nothing from 1 to 14 October and ended that fortnight with $9.22m and no debts. Its post-general report, showing money received after 14 October, is due on 3 December.
TEXAS PAC carried Paxton's side
What is TEXAS PAC?
One donor funded TEXAS PAC
Did TEXAS PAC's candidate win the 2026 Texas Senate race?
Who funds TEXAS PAC?
How much has TEXAS PAC spent on the Texas Senate race?
Is TEXAS PAC the same as NO GOING BACK PAC INC.?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 11 November 2026. Editorial standards.