Elon Musk's Super PAC Backs GOP Rep. Mike Lawler with $600,000
The donation comes as Lawler faces a competitive re-election bid in New York's 17th Congressional District.
Elon Musk's self-financed America Super PAC has contributed $600,000 to support the re-election campaign of Republican New York Rep. Mike Lawler, according to Federal Elections Commission filings. The donation arrives as Lawler, a two-term congressman representing the Hudson Valley, faces a challenging race against Democrat Cait Conley in New York's 17th Congressional District.
Filings show the funds were allocated for contracts with StoryTellers LLC for printing, postage, and other messaging aimed at supporting Lawler and opposing Conley. This substantial contribution suggests that Musk, who owns SpaceX, Tesla, and X Corp., may significantly increase his spending in the final days of the campaign, potentially exceeding a million dollars to bolster Lawler's bid and criticize Conley.
Musk has emerged as a major donor in the 2026 midterm elections, having spent nearly $400 million this cycle, with over $276 million directed towards Republican candidates since July. The race in New York's 17th District is considered highly competitive, with political watchdogs rating it as a "toss-up."
In response to the Super PAC's donation, Conley's campaign spokesperson, Maddy Rosen, stated, "It’s no surprise that Elon Musk has spent millions to keep his puppet Mike Lawler in office." Rosen linked Musk's support to Lawler's voting record on tax breaks for data center operators and regulations concerning data centers and AI operations. "As always, when it comes to Mike Lawler’s disastrous record, just follow the money," Rosen added.
Lawler's campaign spokesperson, Ciro Riccardi, asserted that the campaign cannot legally coordinate with Super PACs and has no control over the spending of America PAC or any other outside group. Riccardi also criticized Conley for her stance on Super PAC funding, noting that "27 outside groups, including a teachers’ union super PAC, VoteVets, and the League of Conservation Voters, have spent nearly $6.5 million to elect her." He further pointed out Conley's joint committee with the House Majority PAC, a Washington-based Super PAC, as an example of hypocrisy.
The 17th Congressional District, which Lawler currently represents, includes parts of Westchester County as well as Rockland, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties. Lawler won his previous elections by narrow margins, securing 52% of the vote against Mondaire Jones in 2024 and a slim 50.3% against Sean Patrick Maloney in 2022.
Meanwhile, other prominent figures are also making significant financial contributions to the midterm elections. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is reportedly spending $80 million to support Democratic candidates. Additionally, Trump-aligned groups, such as MAGA Inc., are projected to spend upwards of $400 million to aid Republican candidates, with groups like No Going Back PAC investing millions in races like the one in the 3rd House District and Lawler's district.