(The Center Square) — The world's “richest man” is pumping money into Maine's congressional races as part of broader efforts to keep control of Congress in Republican hands.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's America PAC has begun spending money to back GOP candidates in key battleground states ahead of November's pivotal midterm elections, starting with the closely watched race between incumbent Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in Maine.
To date, Musk's PAC has already spent $170,000 on digital ads, mailers, texts and phone calls in support of Collin's reelection bid, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Collins is facing a formidable challenge from Democrat Jackson, an Allagash logger and former state Senate President, who was recently chosen by the party to replace disgraced Senate candidate Graham Platner after he dropped out of the race in early July amid allegations of sexual assault.
The Maine race is considered a must-win contest for the Democratic Party as it pushes to retake the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently have a 53-45 majority. Both parties are channeling tens of millions of dollars into a crush of TV and digital advertising to sway undecided voters ahead of the election.
Collins, a moderate who has been politically untouchable for the past three decades, is the only Republican senator running for reelection this year in a Democratic-led state that Kamala Harris carried in the 2024 presidential election.
The latest poll shows a competitive race with Jackson ahead of Collins by more than two percentage points, but within the margin of error.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, has committed more than $42 million to the Maine race.
But Musk's post-primary season spending spree is also targeting Maine's wide open 2nd Congressional District race, where Trump-backed former Republican Gov. Paul LePage is facing Democratic State Auditor Matt Dunlap in fight to fill the seat vacated by outgoing Rep Jared Golden, a Democrat who isn't seeking reelection.
Musk's PAC has contributed $21,000 to the congressional race to date, according to FEC disclosures, which has paid for TV and digital ads criticizing Dunlap's record at urging voters to support LePage.
Dunlap won the Democratic primary for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, after edging out the party's endorsed candidate, state Sen. Joe Baldacci, in the ranked choice voting tabulation. LePage was unopposed in the GOP primary.
Republicans are optimistic about flipping the seat in the swing congressional district, which President Donald Trump has won three times. Democrats are hoping to hold onto the seat as part of a broader strategy to win a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Overall, Musk's PAC has spent more than $8.3 million supporting Republican candidates this election cycle, and has pledged to spend up to $120 million on key congressional races. America PAC spent more than $260 million helping Trump and other Republicans during the 2024 election, according to disclosures.
