DALLAS — National Republicans are opening their wallets for Ken Paxton, committing more than $40 million in outside spending as the Texas attorney general faces a competitive Senate race against Democrat James Talarico. A super PAC tied to Senate Republican leadership has reserved at least $32 million in television and other advertising time for Paxton, according to AdImpact. MAGA Inc., the super PAC aligned with President Donald Trump, separately put $10 million into the contest last week, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The spending surge follows recent polling showing Paxton slightly trailing Talarico. An AARP survey released Thursday found a close contest, adding to Republican concerns that Texas could produce the party’s first Senate defeat in nearly 40 years. Trump, who helped Paxton win the Republican primary, promised at the Republican National Committee’s convention in Dallas to keep campaigning for him. “We have to elect Ken Paxton,” Trump told delegates, saying he would return to Texas as often as necessary to secure a Republican victory. The financial intervention marks a sharp change for national Republicans. Many had been reluctant to embrace Paxton after opposing him during the primary, but the prospect of losing a reliably red Senate seat has pushed party leaders into full defensive mode as they work to preserve their Senate majority. “The Republican Party is united to elect Ken Paxton and keep Texas red in November,” said Alex Latcham, executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund. He said the group’s investment was intended to defeat Talarico and maintain Republican control of the chamber. The flood of outside cash is especially significant in Texas, where statewide media markets are among the nation’s most expensive. Talarico has raised substantially more than Paxton through their respective campaigns: $21.5 million was reported in Talarico’s latest filings, compared with $1.8 million for Paxton. Republican-aligned groups, however, have a much larger financial arsenal. In addition to the new Senate leadership spending and MAGA Inc.’s contribution, Elon Musk’s America PAC has spent about $1.6 million supporting Paxton, according to campaign finance data. Democrats have not yet reserved advertising time in Texas through their primary Senate super PAC, according to AdImpact. With competitive Senate races also unfolding in less expensive states such as Iowa and Alaska, party strategists face a difficult choice over whether to spend heavily in Texas or concentrate resources elsewhere. Talarico’s campaign is seeking to make Paxton’s personal and political controversies central to the race, including his contentious divorce and ethics complaints. Trump himself has drawn attention to Paxton’s rough edges while endorsing him, saying the attorney general “may not dress right” or “talk exactly perfectly,” but calling him “the greatest attorney general in America.” Talarico used the president’s remarks against Paxton during a recent television appearance, while spokesperson JT Ennis accused Republican-backed groups of using billionaire-funded advertising to mislead voters. The contest now enters the general-election stretch with national party money pouring into Texas, turning what Republicans once treated as a safe seat into one of the country’s most consequential Senate battles.