Republican-linked PACs spend in Democratic primary races
Political groups tied to Republicans are funding some Democratic primary contests as both parties fight for control of Congress in November.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Republican-linked political groups are spending money in Democratic primaries, according to Al Jazeera, in a strategy aimed at helping nominees Republicans see as easier to beat in November. The tactic matters because the midterm elections will determine control of Congress during the final two years of US President Donald Trump’s term.
Al Jazeera reported that US media have identified such activity in New Jersey, Maine, Texas, Pennsylvania and Nebraska. Democrats now hold minorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the party is trying to take control of both chambers in the midterms.
How the PAC spending works
Political action committees, or PACs, are outside groups that raise and spend money to support or oppose candidates and parties, according to Al Jazeera. Traditional PACs face limits on how much they can raise or donate to a candidate, but super PACs can raise and spend unlimited sums on independent political activity.
Al Jazeera noted that the modern super PAC system grew after a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that allowed unions and special-interest groups to spend without limits on independent political speech. Super PACs may not give money directly to candidates, but they can pay for advertising and other campaign efforts.
These groups must report financial activity to the Federal Election Commission, Al Jazeera reported. Because filing deadlines can come after elections, voters may not know who was behind major spending until after they cast ballots.
Al Jazeera also reported that some groups use short-lived or obscured super PACs to hide the original source of funds. The practice is often described by critics as dark money.
Groups tied to Conservative Americans PAC
According to Al Jazeera, new FEC filings over the weekend showed two super PACs, Real Change PAC and Lead Left, spending in Democratic primary races. The groups spent more than $4.3 million to lift Democratic candidates viewed by Republicans as vulnerable in general elections, Al Jazeera reported, citing US media.
Al Jazeera reported that both Real Change PAC and Lead Left are connected to Conservative Americans PAC, a Republican super PAC founded in 2023. Conservative Americans PAC is funded by the nonprofit American Prosperity Alliance, and Al Jazeera reported that nonprofits may legally keep donor names private.
The outcomes have varied. In Texas, Lead Left spent more than $750,000 on ads supporting Maureen Galindo, a sex therapist accused of making antisemitic remarks while criticizing Israel, according to Al Jazeera. Galindo denied the allegations and lost the Democratic primary to Johnny Garcia.
In Maine, Real Change PAC spent about $500,000 backing state auditor Matt Dunlap, who defeated Joe Baldacci, Al Jazeera reported. In Nebraska, Lead Left spent $435,000 against John Cavanaugh, who narrowly lost to activist Denise Powell, according to the report.
Both parties have used the tactic
Al Jazeera reported that Democrats have also tried to influence Republican primaries. In 2022, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee helped boost Republican John Gibbs against incumbent Representative Peter Meijer in Michigan; Democrat Hillary Scholten later defeated Gibbs in the general election.
Samantha Bullock, a spokesperson for Conservative Americans PAC, told Politico the current Republican strategy was retaliation for past Democratic involvement in GOP primaries. She said Republicans were “levelling the playing field” and “would be stupid not to take advantage,” according to Politico.
The DCCC criticized the Republican-linked spending. Spokesperson Justin Chermol said in a statement cited by Al Jazeera that the tactic had “backfired” and that Republicans faced a “bleak” outlook.
Al Jazeera reported that super PAC money has become a central force in US elections since 2010, helping candidates pay for advertising, staff and attacks on opponents. Candidates without that support can struggle to win primaries and may never reach general-election voters, according to the report.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.