Elon Musk formally endorses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in state Senate race

Elon Musk has formally endorsed Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, The Hill reported on Oct. 20. Musk’s endorsement followed weeks of financial support for Paxton’s candidacy, with the reporting describing Musk as the lone donor to a Texas PAC backing Paxton.

According to The Hill, Musk spent more than $150 million on Paxton’s bid. The reporting described that spending as going through a political action committee created to support Paxton in the Senate race, and it characterized Musk as the only donor making contributions through that vehicle.

The endorsement itself was delivered in a post associated with Musk, The Hill said, and it aligned Musk’s public support with his private financial involvement described in the same report. The Hill did not describe any formal policy platform changes by Paxton tied to the endorsement in its account.

The announcement adds another high-profile line item to the Texas race’s fundraising narrative, particularly because the reporting described Musk’s funding as concentrated through a single PAC and characterized that arrangement as Musk being the lone donor. Concentrated donor support can affect how campaigns and aligned groups are able to scale messaging and outreach, subject to state and federal campaign-finance rules.

The Hill’s report also framed the relationship between Musk and Paxton as having developed through Musk’s sustained contributions over several weeks prior to the formal endorsement, rather than as a one-time act. How the money is ultimately spent will depend on the PAC’s permissible uses under election law and the PAC’s reporting obligations.

For Paxton, the endorsement and funding described by The Hill come as outside supporters look to influence statewide races where voters weigh candidates’ records and priorities. For Musk, the move highlights how technology executives are increasingly willing to use both public endorsements and large political spending to shape electoral contests.

The next steps for voters and state election administrators will be guided by Texas election procedures and the PAC’s required disclosures. The public record of contributions and expenditures, once filed, can provide additional detail on the timing and uses of the spending referenced by The Hill.