President Trump’s political operation is stepping up in Texas ahead of the November 2026 elections. MAGA Inc., the Trump‑aligned super‑PAC, disclosed a $10 million ad buy targeting the high‑stakes Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Representative James Talarico. Half of the money is earmarked to promote Paxton’s record as a “tax cutter” with a plan to make life affordable, while the other half is used to criticize Talarico’s support for what the ads label a “radical healthcare plan.”
Funding Strengthens the GOP’s Texas Strategy
President Trump told reporters on Friday that the super‑PAC’s war chest is approaching $1 billion, with $500 million earmarked for upcoming battles. As of the end of July, MAGA Inc. reported more than $403 million in cash on hand, underscoring the administration’s commitment to defending conservative values in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988.
The Texas campaign follows a broader trend of wealthy donors and high‑profile allies directing resources to the Lone Star State. Elon Musk’s America PAC has already spent $1.6 million in early Texas Senate ads, signaling a coordinated effort among pro‑Trump forces to secure the seat.
Local Context and Candidate Backgrounds
Paxton secured the Republican nomination by defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn after President Trump’s endorsement. Cornyn warned that Paxton’s past, including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House on corruption charges, could jeopardize the GOP’s chances. Nevertheless, Paxton’s supporters argue his law‑enforcement background and tax‑cut agenda align with Texas voters’ priorities.
Talarico, meanwhile, has raised nearly $70 million as of June’s end, positioning him as a formidable fundraiser. He has faced criticism for statements supporting reduced meat consumption and for describing God as nonbinary, which Paxton’s campaign has used to paint him as out of step with the state’s conservative values.
Polling, Party Dynamics, and the Road Ahead
The Cook Political Report currently rates the race a toss‑up, and recent polls show Talarico holding a slight edge. However, Texas’s 14‑point margin for President Trump in 2024 suggests a structural advantage for Republicans that could swing the race back in their favor.
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, a senior Republican, indicated that the Senate GOP may look to the president’s resources for additional support, noting the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has held back coordinated spending in favor of independent groups like MAGA Inc.
Joanna Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the NRSC, explained that the “fall of coordinated spending limits” now allows the committee to discuss spending decisions directly with candidates, but the strategy has shifted to let allied super‑PACs lead the charge in Texas.
Implications for Texas Voters
With 20 media markets spanning 270,000 square miles, Texas campaigns are notoriously expensive. The influx of $10 million from MAGA Inc. will likely increase the volume of television and digital messaging, giving voters more exposure to the contrasting visions of Paxton and Talarico. Supporters of the Trump administration view this investment as a necessary defense of conservative principles, fiscal responsibility, and religious liberty in a state that has long been a Republican stronghold.
As the election draws nearer, both campaigns will continue to mobilize their bases, with the Trump administration’s financial backing serving as a clear signal of confidence in Paxton’s ability to keep Texas’s Senate seat firmly in Republican hands.
Original reporting: WMAL (Washington DC) — read the source article.
