A political group associated with President Donald Trump has committed $10 million to television and digital advertisements in Texas ahead of the midterm elections.
The Saturday filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) marks MAGA, Inc’s first significant expenditure in a general election. The super PAC is named after Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
The ads are expected to heavily target Democratic candidate James Talarico, a 37-year-old state representative challenging Trump-backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for a US Senate seat.
Democrats speculate they may flip one of Texas’s Senate seats for the first time since 1993.
Although Paxton has faced multiple scandals, including a state impeachment trial, Democrats have struggled in Texas, failing to win a statewide office for over three decades.
In a Saturday statement, MAGA, Inc depicted Talarico as disconnected from everyday Texans.
“High Tax Talarico wants to take money out of Texans’ pockets,” spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer said. “MAGA Inc will ensure Texas recognizes Talarico’s radical policies and elects Ken Paxton to the US Senate.”
While Texas is traditionally a Republican stronghold, Trump’s declining popularity and cost-of-living concerns have boosted Democrats like Talarico heading into November’s midterms.
Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both congressional chambers, but Democrats aim to flip key seats to break the GOP’s legislative grip.
Control of Congress will likely shape the legislative agenda during Trump’s final two years in office.
The Saturday ads will focus on tax policy, accusing Democrats of seeking tax hikes that burden voters.
Conversely, Democrats have long accused Republicans of granting tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.
This criticism resurfaced last year when the Republican-led Congress passed Trump’s signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, along party lines.
Beyond boosting defense and immigration spending, the bill made permanent Trump’s first-term tax cuts and increased federal estate tax exemptions.
Critics noted these cuts would primarily benefit higher earners.
In response, Talarico’s campaign accused right-wing opponents of flooding the race with outside money and distorting his record.
“Billionaire-backed dark money groups are lying about James Talarico because they fear the people-powered movement we’re building to fix this broken, corrupt political system,” campaign spokesperson JT Ennis stated.
“James was proud to vote for the largest property tax cut in Texas history and has consistently voted to cut taxes for working Texans.”
Texas has been central to Republican midterm strategy.
Last year, Trump officials urged Texas lawmakers to redraw the congressional map to advantage Republicans by five extra House seats.
After Texas complied, other Republican-led states followed, while Democrats mounted similar efforts in states like California.
This week, Trump will travel to Dallas to headline a first-ever Republican midterm convention, speaking both nights.
Trump has become central to Republican strategy, touring the country for rallies and endorsing candidates. “What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” he told a South Carolina rally last month.
Questions have arisen regarding MAGA Inc’s massive fundraising and whether funds will reach down-ballot Republican candidates.
Addressing these concerns, Trump told reporters on Friday he plans to allocate $400 million to $500 million from MAGA, Inc to support Republicans in the midterms.
Trump has also leveraged his influence to shape Republican primaries, endorsing preferred candidates.
His endorsement, for example, helped Paxton defeat incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the May primary, despite concerns that the attorney general’s scandals might jeopardize his general election chances.