Elon Musk PAC spends millions to keep GOP in control of house

There will probably be more where it came from. Punchbowl News reported in September that the PAC had committed $10 million to “turnout” in House races across the country.

In an interview with Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson in July, Musk said his PAC “wasn’t meant to be some kind of hyperpartisan PAC” and that the goals were to “promote meritocracy” and promote “freedom to operate, meaning the least amount of possible government intervention”.

It remains unclear how much Musk contributed to the PAC himself, who created the PAC and is deeply involved in its operations. The PAC’s July report did not include any contributions from Musk, and the group is not required to disclose any other contributions until mid-October. Musk also denied earlier reports that he planned to spend $45 million a month on the effort.

Neither Musk nor a PAC representative responded to a request for comment.

So far, America PAC has spent more than $60 million on the election, with the vast majority going to support Trump and oppose Vice President Kamala Harris.

But the spending indicates that Musk’s pivot to the right isn’t limited to Trump, and that he’s invested in helping Republicans retain control of the House.

Races where Musk’s PAC spends

According to recent FEC filings, Musk’s PAC spends heavily on both digital advertising and canvassing operations.

In each case, the PAC spends an equal amount to boost the GOP candidate and negatively to the Democratic candidate.

In the list below, total expenditures by district are rounded to the nearest $100.

Here are the 15 races where America’s PAC is spending:

• $484,600 in New York’s 17th District, where Republican Rep. Mike Lawler faces former Democrat Rep. Mondaire Jones.
• $305,700 in New York’s 19th District, where Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro faces Democratic candidate Josh Riley.
• $280,100 in California’s 41st District, where Republican Rep. Ken Calvert faces Democratic candidate Will Rollins.
• $236,100 in California’s 45th District, where Republican Rep. Michelle Steel faces Democratic candidate Derek Tran.
• $227,200 in Ohio’s 13th District, where Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes faces Republican candidate Kevin Coughlin.
• $184,500 in California’s 22nd District, where Republican Rep. David Valadao faces Democratic candidate Rudy Salas.
• $180,000 in New Mexico’s 2nd District, where Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez faces former Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell.
• $174,900 in Maine’s 2nd District, where Democratic Rep. Jared Golden faces Republican candidate Austin Theriault.
• $170,000 Ohio’s 9th District, where Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur faces Republican candidate Derrick Merrin.
• $140,000 in Washington’s 3rd District, where Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces Republican candidate Joe Kent.
• $125,700 in Colorado’s 8th District, where Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo faces Republican candidate Gabe Evans.
• $124,100 in New Jersey’s 7th District, where Republican Rep. Tom Kean faces Democratic candidate Sue Altman.
• $113,100 in Nebraska’s 2nd District, where Republican Rep. Don Bacon faces Democratic candidate Tony Vargas.
• $58,800 in the general district of Alaska, where Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola faces Republican candidate Nick Begich.
• $53,300 in Iowa’s 3rd District, where Republican Rep. Zach Nunn faces Democratic candidate Lanon Baccam.

This story has been updated.

Correction: September 17, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated which district Rep. Marcy Kaptur represents. She represents Ohio’s 9th district, not the 13th.