Elon Musk-backed America PAC has reported nearly $2.4 million in independent expenditures supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and opposing state Rep. James Talarico (D-District 50), adding another wave of national Republican spending to Texas’ competitive U.S. Senate race.
America PAC reported $2,387,625.68 in the race through Wednesday, September 9, Federal Election Commission filings show. The committee directed $1,875,338.15 toward opposing Talarico and $512,287.53 toward supporting Paxton.
The money did not go directly to either campaign. America PAC operates as an independent expenditure-only committee, and its filings certify that the spending was not coordinated with a candidate, campaign or political party.
Nearly $1.9 million targets Talarico
Digital media accounted for the biggest share: $1,364,645.67, all opposing Talarico. IMGE LLC received $1,303,645.67 for digital media. America PAC listed September 6 as the public dissemination date. Full Reach Media Group LLC received another $61,000 for material disseminated September 3.
Connection Strategy LLC received $775,385.01 for campaign phone messages. America PAC publicly disseminated those calls on Tuesday, September 8, and listed Wednesday, September 9, as the date of disbursement or obligation, the filings show. The PAC split the amount almost exactly in half: $387,692.53 supported Paxton, while $387,692.48 opposed Talarico.
Printing accounted for the remaining $247,595. Storytellers Group LLC received $123,000 for material supporting Paxton and another $123,000 for material opposing Talarico. America PAC also reported $1,595 in additional printing costs supporting Paxton. America PAC listed September 1 as the public dissemination date for the printed materials, the filings show. It reported August 20 obligations for the paired $123,000 items and an August 27 obligation for the $1,595 item.
MAGA Inc. pushes total above $12 million
The new America PAC records follow MAGA Inc.’s $10 million Texas buy, which The Dallas Express reported on September 6. MAGA Inc. split the spending between a $5 million campaign supporting Paxton and a $5 million campaign opposing Talarico, using connected television and digital ads disseminated September 5.
Together, America PAC and MAGA Inc. have reported $12,387,625.68 in independent expenditures tied to the matchup. Of that, $6,875,338.15 went toward opposing Talarico. The combined spending had reached roughly $12.4 million, including about $6.9 million in ads opposing Talarico, Reuters reported Friday.
Talarico campaign spokesman JT Ennis previously disputed MAGA Inc.’s portrayal of the Democrat’s record. MAGA Inc. spokesman Alex Pfeiffer said the group would publicize Talarico’s positions and support Paxton, The Dallas Express reported. A spokesman for America PAC declined to comment, Reuters reported.
National outside spending accelerates
No Going Back PAC registered with the FEC on September 1. The group is affiliated with President Donald Trump (R) and has reserved more than $24.9 million in advertising across Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Ohio, Reuters reported, citing AdImpact.
No Going Back shares a treasurer, phone number and address with MAGA Inc., but the groups are not formally affiliated, Reuters reported. The registration timing will delay full donor disclosure until late October, according to Reuters.
The spending arrives less than eight weeks before the November 3 election. Talarico held a 2.1-point lead in the Silver Bulletin polling average as of Friday, Reuters reported.
Provided by Dallas Express
