Americans for Prosperity Independent Expenditures

What are Independent Expenditures and Communications Costs?

Organizations and individuals looking to do more than just write a check to their favorite candidates can spend unlimited money — independently — to buy ads, send mail or otherwise advocate for the election or defeat of specific candidates. Following a series of recent court decisions, companies, unions and other groups have joined individuals in the ability to make these independent expenditures without any limits. The spending is reported to the FEC, but sources of funds may or may not be disclosed.

Internal communication costs are internal political messages generally aimed only at the members of a union or organization, or company executives. These may be coordinated with the candidates and can be paid for directly from the organization's treasury.

Not included in these totals are funds spent for so-called "issue ads" that don't explicitly call for any candidates' election or defeat. That spending is not reported to the FEC. [x close]

Independent Expenditures, Communication Costs and Coordinated Expenses as of February 20, 2020

Against Democrats: 100.00%
For Democrats: 0.00%
Against Republicans: 0.00%
For Republicans: 0.00%
Against Democrats $2,319,317 100.00%
For Democrats $0 0.00%
Against Republicans $0 0.00%
For Republicans $0 0.00%

Independent Expenditures, Communication Costs and Coordinated Expenses Details

Candidate State Party Chamber Total For Against
Barber, Ron AZ D House $2,471 $0 $2,471
Begich, Mark AK D Senate $179,112 $0 $179,112
Braley, Bruce IA D Senate $131,902 $0 $131,902
Hagan, Kay R NC D Senate $67,144 $0 $67,144
Kirkpatrick, Ann AZ D House $1,098 $0 $1,098
Kuster, Ann Mclane NH D House $20,235 $0 $20,235
Landrieu, Mary L LA D Senate $817,874 $0 $817,874
Nunn, Michelle GA D Senate $765,177 $0 $765,177
Orman, Greg KS I Senate $34,776 $0 $34,776
Peters, Gary MI D Senate $98,046 $0 $98,046
Pryor, Mark AR D Senate $220,039 $0 $220,039
Rahall, Nick WV D House $16,219 $0 $16,219

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