In a decisive boost for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), the Elon Musk‑backed America PAC reported $2,387,625.68 in independent expenditures through September 9, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The committee allocated $512,287.53 to support Paxton and $1,875,338.15 to oppose Democratic state Rep. James Talarico (D‑District 50).
How the money was spent
Digital advertising accounted for the largest share of the spending, with $1,364,645.67 directed entirely against Talarico. The bulk of that amount went to IMGE LLC ($1,303,645.67) and Full Reach Media Group LLC ($61,000). Phone‑call outreach was handled by Connection Strategy LLC, which received $775,385.01 for campaign calls disseminated on September 8 and 9.
Printing costs made up the remaining $247,595. Storytellers Group LLC was paid $123,000 for pro‑Paxton printed material and an equal amount for anti‑Talarico pieces, with an additional $1,595 for supplemental printing.
Combined GOP spending
America PAC’s expenditures join a $10 million Texas buy by MAGA Inc., previously reported by The Dallas Express. MAGA Inc. split its spend evenly between a $5 million effort supporting Paxton and a $5 million effort opposing Talarico, using television and digital ads.
Together, the two groups have reported $12,387,625.68 in independent expenditures tied to the Paxton‑Talarico matchup, roughly $12.4 million in total, including about $6.9 million in ads opposing Talarico, according to Reuters.
Trump affiliation and broader strategy
The newly registered No Going Back PAC, which shares a treasurer, phone number, and address with MAGA Inc., is affiliated with President Donald Trump (R). Reuters cited AdImpact saying the group has reserved more than $24.9 million for advertising in key battleground states such as Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Ohio. Full donor disclosure for No Going Back will not be available until late October.
Election outlook
The spending surge comes less than eight weeks before the November 3 election. A Silver Bulletin polling average gave Talarico a narrow 2.1‑point lead as of the latest Reuters report, indicating a competitive race that could be swayed by the continued flow of independent ads.
Both America PAC and MAGA Inc. declined to comment on their strategies, while a Talarico campaign spokesman previously disputed MAGA Inc.’s portrayal of the Democrat’s record.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
