Democrats win Congress as Musk-backed Republicans lose races

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, while Elon Musk’s large-scale support for Republican candidates did not prevent losses in several high-profile races, including Texas’s Senate contest. The results put the billionaire’s campaign spending and his role in government on the agenda for Democratic lawmakers, who have said they intend to scrutinize his Department of Government Efficiency work and his companies’ federal contracts. Musk gave more than $445 million to Republican candidates, political action committees and outside groups during the midterm cycle, according to federal filings analyzed by OpenSecrets. Other reports put his contributions at about $474 million, using totals with differing scopes. Federal filings show large sums going to Republican-aligned super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts independently of candidates. Texas was a major focus of the spending. OpenSecrets-based reporting put Musk’s contributions to Texas election efforts at at least $225 million. Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton, whom Musk supported, lost to Democrat James Talarico. Musk also directed money toward Republican Gov....