The 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas between Democratic candidate James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton has become the most expensive race for an elected office other than the presidency. Combined spending on advertising, including primaries and general election, has reached $573.2 million, with more than half funded by political action committees rather than direct candidate donations.
Where
Statewide
When
2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Total spending on 2026 U.S. elections nationallynearly $12 billion1Who pays or receives it: Campaign groups and donors
Combined advertising spending on Texas U.S. Senate race$573.2 million2Who pays or receives it: Candidates and PACs
Outside spending advantage of Republican-aligned groupsnearly $400 million1Who pays or receives it: Republican-aligned groups over Democratic-aligned groups
Donations by Elon Musk to Republican PACs supporting Paxton$445 million per source [1]; at least $168 million per source [2]12Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
Spending on U.S. Senate race in Texasmore than half a billion dollars1Who pays or receives it: Outside groups and candidates
Talarico campaign fundraising from individual donors$145 million per source [1]; $146 million per source [2]12Who pays or receives it: Individual donors to Talarico campaign
Paxton campaign fundraising$22 million12Who pays or receives it: Individual donors to Paxton campaign
Donations by George Soros to PACs supporting Democratsabout $100 million1Who pays or receives it: George Soros
Who's involved
James TalaricoDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate
Ken PaxtonRepublican U.S. Senate candidate
Elon MuskBillionaire donor to Republican-aligned PACs
George SorosBillionaire donor to Democratic-aligned PACs
Hilary BrasethExecutive director of OpenSecrets
David MillerAssistant professor of political science at American University
OpenSecretsNonprofit group that tracks campaign financing
The facts
2026 U.S. elections have total spending projected at nearly $12 billion.1
Congressional race spending this year has surpassed any other U.S. election.1
Texas U.S. Senate race received over $573.2 million in combined advertising spending.2
More than half of Texas Senate race spending came from PACs, not candidates.2
Talarico raised $145-146 million from individual donors; Paxton raised $22 million.12Stated by 2 sources
Republican-aligned outside groups outspend Democratic-aligned groups by nearly $400 million nationally.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Hilary Braseth, OpenSecrets executive director New playbook includes setting up super PACs to spend on both sides of the aisle.1
David Miller, American University political science professor Republican Party focuses on fewer, wealthier donors; Democrats focus on smaller dollar donations.1
Talarico ad Together we can defeat the most corrupt politician in Texas and make life more affordable.1
Paxton ad James Talarico and radical Democrats put everything at risk.1
Where the sources disagree
Total donations by Elon Musk to Republican PACs supporting Paxton $445 million per [1]; at least $168 million per [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Billions spent as 2026 becomes the most expensive election in U.S. history
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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Vivian Agugo, Fort Bend County voter; Brianna Brown, Executive director of Texas Organizing Project; Terrance McPeters, Fort Bend County voter who attended Republican event and 2 more