Super PACs in 2020 election 5.1

Question 1

Super PACs in the 2020 Election

Answer 1

• Super PACs played a major role in fundraising and campaign expenditure.
• 2,197 groups registered with the FEC.
• Hybrid PACs (Carey committees) maintain separate accounts for contributions and independent expenditures.

Question 2

Negative Campaigning

Answer 2

Much of the expenditure was on negative campaigning, or ‘attack ads’, rather than promoting their own party’s candidates and policies.

Question 3

Pro-Biden/Democrat Super PACs

Answer 3

• Future Forward USA: Spent over $114 million (supporting Democrats: $47 million, attacking Republicans: $67 million).
• House Majority PAC: Spent $138 million attacking Republicans, $5 million supporting Democrats.
• The Lincoln Project: Raised over $67 million, focused on winning over moderate Republicans.

Question 4

Pro-Trump/Republican Super PACs

Answer 4

• Senate Leadership Fund PAC: Raised around $309 million, spent heavily on attack ads in key Senate races.
• Club for Growth Action PAC: Raised around $63 million, spent $10.4 million attacking Biden, $1.4 million on pro-Trump ads.
• Committee to Defend the President: Raised over $15 million, spent two-thirds on pro-Trump advertising.

Question 5

Gun Control vs. Second Amendment Super PACs

Answer 5

• National Rifle Association’s Victory Fund: Spent over $16 million supporting Republicans and attacking Democrats.
• Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund: Spent over $20 million supporting gun control and opposing Republicans.