Trump-related political groups spend $10 million on ads to support Texas Senator Paxton

(Central News Agency Bridgewater Comprehensive Foreign News Report on the 5th) According to documents released by the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) today, political groups related to U.S. President Trump have spent US$10 million (approximately NT$320 million) on television and digital ads for the Texas Senate race.

The Associated Press reported that this is the first time MAGA Inc. has spent heavily in a key election. It also reflects that with the participation of 37-year-old state Rep. James Talarico in the election, Texas, a seat that was considered a sure win for the Republican Party in the past, may now have a chance for the Democratic Party to win.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee in this election. Trump's endorsement helped Paxton defeat U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who was seeking re-election in the May primary runoff.

Public dissatisfaction with Trump over the economy and the Iran war has become an obstacle for many Republican candidates. Voters usually turn against the ruling party in midterm elections, with Democrats hoping to regain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Texas election is seen as a strong symbol of whether the political landscape will expand this year.

The ads seek to highlight tax burdens as a major issue and address voters' concerns about continued inflation. The two ads attempt to portray Talarigg, who advocates higher taxes on wealthy families, as advocating for across-the-board tax increases while claiming that Paxton will provide tax breaks for first-time homebuyers and families with children.

The key bill Trump signed into law last year expanded and extended many of the expiring tax cuts in his 2017 tax overhaul. But the bill also widens the budget deficit, leading to higher interest costs on the national debt. Trump has also raised import tariffs to boost revenue for the state treasury.

Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesman for Make America Great Again, said in a statement today: "High-tax Tala Rig wants to steal Texans' money. Make America Great Again will ensure that Texans understand Tala Rig's radical policies and elect Paxton to the U.S. Senate."

Talarigg's campaign spokesman JT Ennis disputed the ad's accusations, denying that the Democrat is seeking across-the-board tax increases.

"A secretive group of billionaire-backed donors are smearing Talarigue because they fear we are using the People Power movement to overturn a dysfunctional and corrupt political system," Ennis said in a statement. "Talarigue is proud to have voted for the largest real estate tax cut in Texas history, and he has consistently voted for tax cuts for working-class Texans."

Make America Great Again has at least $400 million in campaign funds, which Republican candidates have been waiting for Trump to use.

Trump told reporters yesterday: "No matter how much money is needed, I will spend a lot of money to help us." He emphasized that these funds are at his sole discretion.