MAGA Inc., the political action committee aligned with former President Donald Trump, has committed $10 million to television and digital advertising in support of Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, according to a Saturday filing with the Federal Election Commission.
The expenditure represents MAGA Inc.’s first major general election spending of the 2026 cycle and follows weeks of calls from Republican leaders for Trump and his allies to bolster Paxton’s campaign. The funds will be split between $5 million for negative ads targeting Democratic nominee James Talarico and $5 million for positive ads supporting Paxton, as detailed in the FEC filing.
Key Context and Background
The Texas Senate race has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterms, with Paxton facing Talarico in the race to replace retiring Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). Trump’s endorsement of Paxton during the Republican primary helped Paxton defeat Cornyn, a move that drew criticism from some GOP colleagues concerned about Paxton’s electability in the general election.
Reactions and Political Dynamics
Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), have publicly urged Trump to deploy resources in Texas, with Thune estimating that $8 million per week is required to compete effectively in the state. Thune stated on Fox News this week, “Their resources need to be brought to bear on Texas because it’s not one that we can lose if we’re going to hang on to a Republican majority.”
Paxton’s campaign has faced scrutiny over past controversies, including his 2023 impeachment by the Texas House on allegations of bribery and abuse of public trust, followed by his acquittal by the state Senate. Additionally, his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced in 2023 that she had filed for divorce from the attorney general, citing “biblical grounds,” though she did not elaborate on the reasons.
Funding and Campaign Strategy
MAGA Inc. spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer framed the spending as a response to Talarico’s policy positions, stating in a prepared statement, “High Tax Talarico wants to take money out of Texans’ pockets. MAGA Inc. is going to ensure Texas knows about Talarico’s radical policies and elects Ken Paxton to the U.S. Senate.”
The $10 million allocation marks the first significant general election expenditure by MAGA Inc. in the 2026 cycle, though the super PAC has raised $400 million in total funds. Trump has previously indicated that he plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in the midterms, telling reporters on Friday, “I’m going to spend whatever amount of money necessary to try to help us… This is my money that I control.”
Campaign Messaging and Opposition
The FEC filing specifies that the funds will be directed to Del Ray Media Inc., a political media operation, for both television and digital advertising. The spending comes as Talarico, a 37-year-old state representative, has positioned himself as a progressive alternative to Paxton, whose tenure as attorney general has been marked by legal and ethical controversies.
Political observers note that the race has tightened in recent months, with some Republicans expressing concerns that Paxton’s baggage could hinder GOP efforts to maintain control of the Senate. Analysts suggest that even with Paxton as the nominee, the race remains competitive due to broader Republican underperformance in Texas this election cycle.
Financial and Strategic Implications
The infusion of $10 million from MAGA Inc. is expected to significantly boost Paxton’s visibility in the final months of the campaign. However, the decision to allocate funds now—rather than earlier in the cycle—has drawn mixed reactions from GOP strategists, some of whom argue that Paxton’s vulnerabilities may require even greater investment to overcome.
The spending also underscores Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party’s electoral strategy, with his super PAC serving as a key financial resource for candidates aligned with his political agenda. Trump has emphasized that the funds are under his direct control, separate from the Republican National Committee’s resources, and has suggested that some of the money may be reserved for future elections.