Politics

/

ArcaMax

Elon Musk is throwing his cash around in Pa. again. This time, in support of 3 GOP lawmakers in swing districts

Fallon Roth, The Philadelphia Inquirer on

Published in Political News

PHILADELPHIA — Elon Musk is back.

The richest man in the world, who was laser-focused on delivering Pennsylvania for President Donald Trump in 2024, is wielding his wallet in the Keystone State once again to support Republicans in three swing congressional districts ahead of the midterms.

America PAC, Musk’s super PAC, has contributed roughly $12,000 apiece in support of U.S. Reps. Ryan Mackenzie, of Lehigh; Rob Bresnahan, of Lackawanna; and Scott Perry, of York — all GOP incumbents facing tough reelection challenges, according to an independent expenditure report filed Wednesday.

Though small potatoes in comparison, America PAC’s contributions in Pa. come roughly two years after Musk launched his intense and unprecedented efforts to mobilize voters in Pennsylvania for Trump when he spent millions of dollars, hosted a disinformation-filled town hall in Delaware County, and offered $1 million to random voters who signed a petition from his super PAC.

Republicans lauded Musk for the energy and clout he brought to the campaign trail and it earned him a place in Trump’s inner circle at the time, leading to his turbulent tenure overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency.

The PAC’s contributions for the congressional races went toward printing at Storytellers Group LLC, a Tennessee-based company, according to the report. He also contributed to several other competitive races across the country.

Even though Musk is not yet deeply involved in Pennsylvania, the PAC’s spending signifies that the billionaire likely views these three congressional seats as important as both parties vie for control of the U.S. House.

America PAC and spokespersons for Mackenzie, Bresnahan, and Perry did not immediately return a request for comment.

The PAC also has yet to make a contribution in support of U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R.-Bucks, will also be defending his seat against Democratic challenger Bob Harvie in a swing district this November.

The Bucks County Republican already has a massive war chest of his own, far surpassing his GOP counterparts in total fundraising.

“I think Fitzpatrick is fairly well positioned regardless of what Mr. Musk does or does not do,” said Christopher Nicholas, a GOP strategist.

 

But the three GOP incumbents benefiting from Musk’s latest spending all lagged their Democratic challengers in fundraising during the most recent quarter. And Tesla and SpaceX’s CEO’s support could help close the gap.

Musk has become a figure of scorn for Pennsylvania Democrats, and the challengers of Mackenzie, Bresnahan, and Perry all criticized his involvement in their respective races.

Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union leader who is challenging Mackenzie, seen as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the nation, said in a statement that Musk is “spending a fortune to buy this congressional seat” in the Lehigh Valley.

“I have a message for Elon and Ryan: Pennsylvania’s Seventh district is not for sale,” he said.

A spokesperson for former TV news anchor Janelle Stelson, who is running in a rematch against Perry in the 10th District, said that: “Scott Perry lacks the courage to highlight Musk’s efforts to increase corruption in our government, so now Musk is rewarding Perry for his subservience.”

And in the 8th Congressional District, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti said: “Unlike Rob, I don’t take a dime of corporate PAC money.”

“In Congress, I’ll answer to the people of NEPA, and no one else,” she said.

_____

Staff Writer Sam Janesch contributed reporting.

_____


©2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

 

Related Channels

The ACLU

ACLU

By The ACLU
Amy Goodman

Amy Goodman

By Amy Goodman
Armstrong Williams

Armstrong Williams

By Armstrong Williams
Austin Bay

Austin Bay

By Austin Bay
Betsy McCaughey

Betsy McCaughey

By Betsy McCaughey
Bill Press

Bill Press

By Bill Press
Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

By Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas

By Cal Thomas
Clarence Page

Clarence Page

By Clarence Page
Danny Tyree

Danny Tyree

By Danny Tyree
David Harsanyi

David Harsanyi

By David Harsanyi
Dick Polman

Dick Polman

By Dick Polman
Erick Erickson

Erick Erickson

By Erick Erickson
Froma Harrop

Froma Harrop

By Froma Harrop
Jacob Sullum

Jacob Sullum

By Jacob Sullum
Jamie Stiehm

Jamie Stiehm

By Jamie Stiehm
Jeff Robbins

Jeff Robbins

By Jeff Robbins
Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson

By Jessica Johnson
Jim Hightower

Jim Hightower

By Jim Hightower
Joe Conason

Joe Conason

By Joe Conason
John Stossel

John Stossel

By John Stossel
Josh Hammer

Josh Hammer

By Josh Hammer
Judge Andrew P. Napolitano

Judge Andrew Napolitano

By Judge Andrew P. Napolitano
Laura Hollis

Laura Hollis

By Laura Hollis
Marc Munroe Dion

Marc Munroe Dion

By Marc Munroe Dion
Michael Barone

Michael Barone

By Michael Barone
Mona Charen

Mona Charen

By Mona Charen
Rachel Marsden

Rachel Marsden

By Rachel Marsden
Rich Lowry

Rich Lowry

By Rich Lowry
Robert B. Reich

Robert B. Reich

By Robert B. Reich
Ruben Navarrett Jr.

Ruben Navarrett Jr

By Ruben Navarrett Jr.
Ruth Marcus

Ruth Marcus

By Ruth Marcus
S.E. Cupp

S.E. Cupp

By S.E. Cupp
Salena Zito

Salena Zito

By Salena Zito
Star Parker

Star Parker

By Star Parker
Stephen Moore

Stephen Moore

By Stephen Moore
Susan Estrich

Susan Estrich

By Susan Estrich
Ted Rall

Ted Rall

By Ted Rall
Terence P. Jeffrey

Terence P. Jeffrey

By Terence P. Jeffrey
Tim Graham

Tim Graham

By Tim Graham
Tom Purcell

Tom Purcell

By Tom Purcell
Veronique de Rugy

Veronique de Rugy

By Veronique de Rugy
Victor Joecks

Victor Joecks

By Victor Joecks
Wayne Allyn Root

Wayne Allyn Root

By Wayne Allyn Root

Comics

Dana Summers A.F. Branco Lisa Benson Tim Campbell Lee Judge Jimmy Margulies