Texas state Rep. James Talarico says his projected U.S. Senate victory gives him a mandate to curb large-donor influence, placing campaign finance and government reform at the center of his post-election agenda.
After CBS News projected him the winner over Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico told CBS Mornings on Wednesday that the race showed political decisions should remain accountable to voters. He described the result as an opening to reduce the role of major donors. “Texas is not for sale,” he said, referring to SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s support for groups backing Paxton.
CBS News reported that Musk gave more than $158 million in September to Senate Leadership Fund PAC, a major super PAC aligned with Senate Republicans. The group then transferred the money to Texas PAC, which supports Paxton. Musk’s trust also gave $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, which worked to elect Paxton, CBS reported.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show Senate Leadership Fund transfers to Texas PAC of $75 million on Sept. 10 and $83 million on Sept. 24. The records also show Musk made contributions in the same amounts to the fund on the preceding days. EconoTimes previously covered the September transfer sequence.
Talarico said he believed Musk wanted “his very own personal senator” to advance his interests. He alleged that included selling Texas land for data centers and providing Texas water and taxpayer money.
CBS projected Democrats would control the Senate with 54 seats in the next Congress. Talarico said Democrats should pursue economic policies that benefit Americans, universal health care and investment in education, working with both parties. Asked whether he would support Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York as majority leader, Talarico said he hoped to hear Schumer’s vision for the Senate and the country.
