Democrats Sweep Texas Races as Musk’s Backed Republicans Fall
Democratic candidates won several major statewide races in Texas on November 4, ending over thirty years of Republican dominance in those contests. Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, and James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race. Democrats also won the lieutenant governor and attorney general races. Nationally, Democrats took charge of both houses of Congress, delivering a blow to President Donald Trump and his party.
Musk, who owns X and has companies including Tesla and SpaceX headquartered in Texas, posted two comments about the results. Shortly after midnight, he wrote that data centers in space looked appealing. A minute later, he joked that his “election-interfering space lasers” had not worked.
Musk spent nearly $500 million supporting Republican political efforts during the 2026 midterm cycle, making him the biggest single donor in a federal election period since the 2010 Citizens United decision, campaign finance figures show. He gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September; the group used money to support Paxton. Musk also contributed $5 million to Abbott’s reelection campaign.
Talarico, the first Texas Democrat to win a Senate seat since 1988, invoked the wealthy and politically powerful figures who opposed him in his victory speech. The Texas results carry particular weight for Musk’s businesses. Hinojosa urged a halt to new data center projects, while Talarico campaigned for tighter oversight of their development amid debate over the facilities’ electricity and water use. Musk did not say whether his post signaled a change in company plans.
Texas Voters Reject Musk-Backed Republicans and Their Big Money
The Texas results delivered a sharp rebuke to Republican candidates backed by Elon Musk. Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott, James Talarico beat Ken Paxton for the Senate, and Democrats also won the lieutenant governor and attorney general races. Democrats took both chambers of Congress nationally, frustrating President Donald Trump and his party.
Musk poured nearly $500 million into Republican political efforts during the midterm cycle. His September contribution of $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund helped support Paxton, while he also gave $5 million to Abbott’s reelection campaign. Neither investment prevented defeat. Talarico’s victory made him the first Democrat to secure a Texas Senate seat since 1988.
After the results, Musk used X to joke that his “election-interfering space lasers” had failed and said data centers in space looked appealing. The outcome underscores that enormous spending cannot guarantee voters’ support.
The stakes extend to Musk’s companies, which have established headquarters in Texas. Hinojosa called for a halt to new data center projects, and Talarico campaigned for tighter oversight as electricity and water use fuel debate over the facilities. Those proposals put public oversight of fast-growing infrastructure squarely in the aftermath of a decisive political shift.
Texas Election Upset Shows Donor Money Cannot Command Voters
Democrats scored major victories in Texas and nationally, but the results also show the limits of political spending: voters, not donors, decide elections. Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott, James Talarico beat Ken Paxton for the Senate, and Democrats won the state’s lieutenant governor and attorney general races. They also gained control of both houses of Congress, dealing President Donald Trump and Republicans a political blow.
Musk spent nearly $500 million supporting Republican political efforts during the midterm cycle, including $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September. That group backed Paxton. Musk also contributed $5 million to Abbott’s reelection bid. Their losses do not erase the right of an individual donor to participate in politics; they demonstrate that money cannot dictate the outcome.
Musk responded on X with a joke that his “election-interfering space lasers” had not worked and a post saying data centers in space looked appealing. Talarico, the first Texas Democrat to win a Senate seat since 1988, pointed to the wealthy and influential figures who opposed him.
The new political landscape may bring closer scrutiny of data center development. Hinojosa urged a halt to new projects, while Talarico sought tighter oversight amid debate over electricity and water demands. Musk did not say whether his comment meant his companies would change their plans.
Reported by The New Republic, KPRC 2 Click2Houston, Wired, The Verge, The San Francisco Standard.
