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Business & Finance · October 16, 2026

Elon Musk spent $158 million on GOP leadership. Dem candidate James Talarico says rallygoers are ‘my slingshot’ against the ‘Goliaths’ to win Texas

Part of: Texas Senate: Paxton vs. Talarico →
5 sources →

Tesla and SpaceX recently collaborated on a high-end, next-generation Tesla Roadster demonstration in McGregor, Texas. The vehicle, showcased by Elon Musk, features SpaceX-derived thrusters, a suction system for inverted driving, and the ability to hover or 'fly' briefly. While fans praised the technical feat of 0-60 mph in under a second, critics and analysts noted the project's decade-long delays and potential legal hurdles for street use. Concurrently, Musk's political influence in Texas has come under scrutiny as he contributed $158 million to Republican leadership, supporting Ken Paxton's Senate campaign against Democratic challenger James Talarico, who frames the race as a struggle against 'Goliaths' and billionaire influence.

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Reported by multiple outlets

  • Tesla held a launch event for the next-generation Roadster at a SpaceX site in McGregor, Texas.
  • The new Roadster uses SpaceX technology, including rocket thrusters and suction systems.
  • The vehicle demonstrated a 0-60 mph acceleration time of less than one second.
  • Production for the Roadster is now targeted for 2028 after years of delays.
  • Elon Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports Republican candidates including Ken Paxton.

Reported by only some outlets

  • James Talarico missed nine days of campaigning due to the flu, sparking false online rumors about his mental health.
  • Tesla has stopped selling its Model S and Model X cars.
  • James Talarico is avoiding sharing a stage with Bernie Sanders despite the Senator's planned visit to Texas.
  • A 'Thrust' version of the Roadster requires a $250,000 deposit.
  • Speculation exists regarding a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX following SpaceX's June IPO.

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