Elon Musk is throwing his cash around in Pa. again. This time, in support of three GOP lawmakers in swing districts.
Elon Musk's super PAC has contributed roughly $12,000 a piece to benefit GOP U.S. Reps. Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, and Scott Perry.
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 benefitting 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.
