After moving to Texas about four years ago, Elon Musk had largely avoided getting involved in the state’s messy political fights, suggesting in 2021 that he would prefer to “stay out of politics” all together.
Since then, however, Mr. Musk has very publicly changed his mind, throwing his weight behind former President Donald J. Trump.
And he has also done so, albeit more quietly, inside of his adopted home state, wading into local election contests in Texas where his sizable contributions can make an even bigger difference.
In September, Mr. Musk gave $1 million to one of the major power players in Austin, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a group committed to reining in tort lawsuits and the large costs they often impose on businesses. Less than two weeks later, he cut an even larger check, for $2 million, to a political action committee affiliated with the Austin-based group.
That $2 million donation, to Judicial Fairness PAC, has been helping to fund active campaigns to elect Republican judges by arguing that Texas cities are in the grip of a crime wave.
Over the last month, Judicial Fairness PAC has spent nearly $15 million, including more than $6.9 million on advertising and direct mail in support of another political action committee, Stop Houston Murders, according a state filing period that ended Saturday.