Elon Musk spent an estimated $474 million on the 2026 midterm election, the most by any non-candidate in U.S. history. He spent approximately $200 million on a Texas Senate race where his candidate lost by 12 points to a Democrat.
Where
Statewide
When
Election Day 2026, Nov. 4
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Spending on 2026 midterm election$474 million1Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
Spending on Texas Senate race$200 million1Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
Who's involved
Elon Muskspent estimated $474 million on 2026 election
President Trumpreceived Musk's support
James Pindelljournalist reporting on Musk's spending
Jackie Kucinichjournalist reporting on Musk's spending
The facts
Musk spent an estimated $474 million on 2026 election, most by any non-candidate in U.S. history.1
About $200 million of Musk's spending was on Texas Senate race where his candidate lost by 12 points.1
Democrat won Texas Senate race for first time since 1988.1
Musk spent at least $288 million on 2024 Trump and Republicans, according to Washington Post.1
Musk spent estimated $20 million on 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Boston Globe Much of Musk's business model depends on data centers that Democrats were running against.1
Boston Globe With Democratic House and Senate majorities, Musk's losses likely just beginning and he positioned to become new boogeyman.1
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
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.
Democrat James Talarico won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas on November 4, 2026, defeating Republican Ken Paxton. Talarico is the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988 and the first to win statewide office in more than three decades.
$$200 million for campaign spending for Paxton
James Talarico, Democrat who won Texas U.S. Senate seat; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas U.S. Senate; Trump, President who attacked Talarico during campaign and 1 more
Republican Tom Sell won Texas' 19th Congressional District seat for the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Democrat Kyle Rable. With 99% of votes counted, Sell received 69.5% and Rable received 30.5%.
Tom Sell, Republican candidate, projected winner of Texas' 19th Congressional District; Kyle Rable, Democratic candidate
Tejano singer and Latin Grammy winner Bobby Pulido defeated Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz in Texas Congressional District 15 during U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday, November 4, 2026. Pulido won 62% of the vote, flipping the seat from Republican to Democratic representation.
Bobby Pulido, Tejano singer, Latin Grammy winner, and Democratic congressional candidate who won the election; Monica De La Cruz, Republican incumbent in Congressional District 15 who lost the election
Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden announced formation of working groups made up of county election and registration officials to improve the Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) system as redevelopment continues.
Robert S. Howden, Texas Secretary of State; County election and registration officials, Working group members
Democrat Sarah Eckhardt, a state senator, won the race for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, defeating appointed Republican incumbent Don Huffines. Eckhardt's victory flips the comptroller's office to Democratic control for the first time since 1999.
$$1 billion for Texas Education Freedom Accounts program budget allocation
Sarah Eckhardt, Democratic candidate for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, state senator; Don Huffines, Republican incumbent Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Farrah Abraham ran for Austin City Council District 5 on November 3, 2026, and finished fourth in a four-person race. Incumbent Ryan Alter and David Weinberg advanced to a December 12 runoff.
Farrah Abraham, Candidate for Austin City Council District 5; Ryan Alter, Incumbent, advanced to runoff; David Weinberg, Advanced to runoff
A national "blue tsunami" swept Democrats to gains in ruby-red districts Trump won by double digits in 2024, improving Democrats' margin by 15 percentage points. California Democrats had pursued redistricting changes via Proposition 50 in anticipation of Republican gerrymanders in states including Texas.
$more than $100 million for campaign spending freed up by protecting incumbent Democrats in Southern California swing districts
California Democrats, pursued Proposition 50 redistricting measure; Greg Abbott, Texas Governor who lost reelection; Gavin Newsom, California Governor who promoted Prop. 50 and 4 more
Young Latino voters ages 18 to 29 in Harris County showed record turnout in the 2026 election, with participation tripling compared to the 2018 midterm elections, according to LULAC. Immigration policies, homeownership costs, rising rents, property taxes, and gas prices motivated voters.
$nearly 1.8 million for hispanic voters casting ballots during early voting
Ashley Barahona, University of Houston student who voted; Dr. Sergio Lira, President of Greater Houston LULAC Council; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Organization tracking Latino voter turnout