Musk PAC trying to defeat Kaptur

SANDUSKY — A political action committee that billionaire Elon Musk created is trying to help state Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Township, defeat U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. Musk's America PAC is concentrating most of its money on helping Donald Trump in the November election but also has intervened in a number of Congressional races. Musk's support for Merrin was first reported by the Toledo Blade. A spokeswoman for Kaptur's campaign says the PAC's intervention shows that "out of state billionaires" support Merrin while Kaptur campaigns on behalf of "working families." A spokeswoman for Merrin declined comment. Kaptur is seeking another term representing the 9th District, which includes Sandusky, Port Clinton, Toledo and much of northern Ohio. A Toledo Libertarian, Tom Pruss, also is on the ballot. Federal Election Commission data compiled by OpenSecrets.org shows the PAC has spent about $170,000 in the race, dividing the money up between money spent to help Merrin and money spent to attack Kaptur. The PAC also has spent about $227,000 in the Ohio District 13 U.S. House race pitting the incumbent Democrat, Emilia Sykes, against Republican challenger Kevin Coughlin. Both of those two Ohio races are considered close. The Center for Politics, which tracks political races, rates the Sykes race as a "tossup" but says Kaptur's race currently "leans Democrat." America PAC indicates it has spent about $31 million to aid Trump and about $19 million to attack Kamala Harris. Commission records don't show that Musk has contributed to America PAC yet, but reports later this year are expected to show Musk's contributions. After the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk was planning to donate $45 million a month to the PAC, Musk denied the report on X.com. "I am making some donations to America PAC but at a much lower level and the key values of the PAC are supporting a meritocracy and individual freedom," Musk wrote. "Voters only need to turn on their televisions to see the lying ads funded by outsiders who only care about their bottom line," said Alexandra Wilcox, Kaptur's campaign manager. "While puppets like Merrin do exactly what those deep-pocketed donors tell him, Congresswoman Kaptur fights for working families and stands up to the big-money outsiders rigging Ohio districts, pulling Merin's strings, and doing everything they can to buy a seat in Congress." Musk is known for SpaceX, his rocket company; his Starlink company, which provides internet service from satellites; for his X.com social media company, formerly known as Twitter; and for his Tesla electric vehicle company, among other ventures. Musk voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and has said he voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but in recent years have moved right and supported Republicans.