Trump Vows to Campaign in 35 Races as Musk PAC Targets Key Seats

President Donald Trump pledged on Wednesday to campaign for Republican candidates in approximately 35 competitive races during the final month before the November midterm elections. Speaking at a dinner in the White House Rose Garden attended by members of Congress, the president stated he would travel to every one of those locations to assist his party in retaining its congressional majorities. Trump emphasized that his efforts would focus on tight contests rather than safe seats, noting that he does not intend to stump for candidates who are leading by large margins. The announcement coincides with the first significant deployment of funds by Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., which filed with the Federal Election Commission on Saturday to spend $10 million on television and digital advertisements in the Texas Senate race. The president outlined his strategy during the evening event, telling the assembled lawmakers that he would dedicate the final 30 days, and possibly longer, to visiting these specific battlegrounds. He cited the re-election bid of Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska as a priority, joking about a competitor who shares the same name. Trump also confirmed plans to return to Texas to support State Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging Democrat James Talarico for a Senate seat. Earlier in the day, in the Oval Office, Trump clarified that although he is not personally affected by the outcome since he is not running for office, he feels a duty to help his party. He noted that he had previously encouraged supporters to treat the midterms as if he were still on the ballot. Financial backing for the Republican effort is intensifying alongside the president’s personal involvement. MAGA Inc., which holds a war chest of more than $400 million, launched its first major general election spending initiative in Texas. The $10 million ad campaign aims to counter Democratic attacks by highlighting tax issues. The advertisements portray Talarico as favoring higher taxes on wealthy households and broader tax increases, while positioning Paxton as a champion for tax breaks for first-time homebuyers and families. Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesman for MAGA Inc., stated that the group intends to ensure Texas voters understand what he called Talarico’s radical policies. In response, Talarico’s campaign spokesperson, JT Ennis, accused billionaire-backed dark money groups of spreading lies. Ennis asserted that Talarico voted for the largest property tax cut in Texas history and consistently works to lower taxes for working residents. Simultaneously, billionaire Elon Musk’s super PAC, America PAC, began injecting capital into key races. Filings revealed that the group spent roughly $800,000 on independent expenditures across several House and Senate contests. The largest portion, exceeding $247,000, went toward the Texas Senate race. Additional funds supported candidates in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Ohio. In the House, the PAC funded races in Wisconsin, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. This initial spending marks the start of what observers expect to be a larger operation, with reports suggesting Musk may contribute between $100 million and $200 million this cycle. During the 2024 election, Musk spent approximately $290 million to support Trump and the Republican Party. The political landscape presents significant challenges for the incumbent party. Midterm elections historically serve as a referendum on the sitting president, often resulting in seat losses for the controlling party. Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority in the House with 218 seats compared to 212 for Democrats. In the Senate, Republicans hold a 53-45 majority, excluding Independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King, who caucus with Democrats. Public disapproval of Trump regarding economic conditions and the ongoing conflict with Iran has created headwinds for Republican candidates. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on August 31 showed Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent, the lowest of his political career and the third consecutive month at that level. The conflict with Iran, now in its seventh month, has disrupted global oil supplies, contributing to higher energy prices and a cost-of-living crisis in the United States. Recent exchanges of fire between Washington and Tehran have renewed fears of a wider war. Several Senate races have shifted to toss-up status due to tightening polls. The Cook Political Report rates six contests as toss-ups: Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. Five of these seats are currently held by Republicans, while Michigan is an open seat held by a Democrat. The organization recently moved Iowa and Texas from lean Republican to toss-up categories based on new polling data. In Texas, the race between Paxton and Talarico is viewed as a critical test of the political map. Paxton secured the nomination after defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a May primary runoff, a victory aided by Trump’s endorsement. However, Paxton has faced difficulties raising campaign funds following that contentious primary. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has publicly urged Trump to intervene, warning that Republican Senate committees lack the resources to compete in expensive media markets like Texas. Thune acknowledged the competitive nature of the environment, stating he does not sugarcoat the risks of losing the Senate majority. Trump, meanwhile, maintains that the funds in MAGA Inc. are separate from those controlled by the Republican National Committee. He stated that he controls the money and could choose to withhold it until the 2028 election cycle if he wished, despite being constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. The president also indicated he would campaign for several gubernatorial candidates, though his primary focus remains on the Senate and House. Criticism of the Democratic candidate in Texas has intensified. Trump referred to Talarico using a derogatory nickname, calling him one of the worst candidates he has ever seen. These remarks followed reports that in 2020, Talarico described capitalism as an oppressive system linked to white supremacy and predicted the decline of the oil and gas industry. Talarico’s campaign responded by stating that he is a proud capitalist and supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that protects existing jobs. They characterized his previous comments as missing the mark. The upcoming Republican National Convention will also feature Trump prominently. He is scheduled to speak on both nights of the event, a scheduling decision attributed to concerns over the RNC’s ability to attract attendees. As the election approaches, the combined efforts of the president’s personal campaigning and the substantial financial resources from MAGA Inc. and America PAC represent a coordinated attempt to secure Republican control of Congress. The outcome of these 35 identified races will likely determine whether the party retains its power in both chambers of Congress.