Elon Musk bankrolls outgunned House GOP campaigns
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Elon Musk's super PAC is providing Republicans a critical funding backstop in key House districts, pouring millions of dollars into helping GOP candidates in races across the country.
Why it matters: It's a boon to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), whose primary super PAC is being heavily outspent by its Democratic counterpart in key districts.
- The GOP's Congressional Leadership Fund has put nearly $140 million into ads in competitive districts through the end of the year, compared to almost $180 million for House Majority PAC, according to AdImpact.
- But the two have been neck-and-neck in overall fundraising this cycle, with HMP raising $210 million and CLF raising $212 million to date.
By the numbers: Musk's America PAC has spent more than $8 million since mid-September to make up that $40 million gap, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
- The cash, spread out over 18 districts, makes Musk's PAC one of the biggest national spenders in 2024 congressional races.
- That's on top of $55 million he has poured into supporting former President Donald Trump.
Zoom in: America PAC's beneficiaries range from centrist Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) to Joe Kent, a hard-right U.S. Army veteran running against Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.).
- Among top recipients are Lawler, Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) – whose districts fall in the expensive New York City and Los Angeles media markets.
- All districts the PAC has put money into are considered highly competitive.
Zoom in: Musk has become a big Republican donor and spokesperson this election cycle.
- He even appeared at a Trump rally on Saturday and declared himself "dark MAGA."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
