Analysis

Super PACs have raised millions for 2020 presidential race


Super PACs focused on the 2020 presidential race have collectively raised nearly $18 million through June 30, according to a new Issue One analysis of federal campaign finance filings. 

All the while, these groups — which are allowed to collect unlimited amounts of money from individuals, labor unions, and companies — combined to spend $3.6 million, including expenditures on political ads, polling, research, and consultants.

America First Action — the main super PAC active on behalf of Republican President Donald Trump and which his re-election campaign has officially endorsed — raised $8.9 million during the first half of 2019, filings with the Federal Election Commission show. 

Meanwhile, single-candidate super PACs supporting 2020 Democratic candidates collectively raised $4.2 million through June 30. And Priorities USA Action — a super PAC that has vowed to support the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee — raised an additional $4.8 million during the first six months of the year. Combined, these pro-Democratic super PACs focused on the 2020 presidential race have raised $9 million.

Here’s a breakdown of the super PACs supporting 2020 White House hopefuls:

Super PAC Name Candidate Supported Amount Raised
America First Action Donald Trump $8.9 million
Priorities USA Action Democratic nominee $4.8 million
Act Now on Climate Jay Inslee $2.2 million
Dream United Cory Booker $1.1 million
Shared Purpose PAC John Hickenlooper $575,000
The Right Answer Committee John Delaney $340,000
Total   $17.9 million
     
     

Source: Issue One analysis of filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Note: The figures for the Right Answer Committee reflect its total receipts and spending since its creation in July 2018. The figures for the other committees reflect receipts and spending between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019.