That’s what Democrat James Talarico’s Senate campaign paid last week for a single 30-second television ad during a Major League Baseball game in Harlingen, Texas, 26 times the cost of a comparable spot during the 2024 Senate race, according to FCC records. More than $500 million has poured into the Texas Senate race between Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, making it one of the most expensive non-presidential contests ever. In some markets, the money has consumed all available airtime. “Elon Musk’s America PAC has spent $22.7 million directly in the race. Paxton spent $60,000 for a single Sunday Night Football spot. Talarico holds a slim polling lead and would be the first Texas Democrat to win a Senate seat since 1988.