Forward California spent $2.7M on independent expenditures in the 2020 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2020). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 100% ended up on the winning side ($2.0M won, $0 lost).
Outside spending
$2.7M
On the winning side
100%
$2.0M
On the losing side
$0
Supporting vs attacking
74% / 26%
$2.0M for, $704K against
Google says Forward California also spent $39K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (1% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Forward California reported $3.0M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- Joan Klein JacobsIndividual$1.5M (50%)
- Irwin Mark JacobsIndividual$1.5M (50%)
- Elizabeth Spratt-CooperIndividual$1K (0%)
- Jesse Ferguson, LLCCompany / nonprofit$250 (0%)
Where the money went
Biggest targets, with whether each one paid off.
✓ Backed the winner or attacked the loser ✗ Backed the loser or attacked the winner Result not matched
| Candidate | Race | Spending | Amount | Paid off? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sara Jacobs | California 53rd District (primary) | Supporting | $1.4M | ✓ Yes |
| Georgette Gomez | California 53rd District | Attacking | $704K | Unknown |
| Sara Jacobs | California 53rd District | Supporting | $639K | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did Forward California spend in 2020, and did it win?
- Forward California spent $2.7M on independent expenditures in the 2020 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2020). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 100% ended up on the winning side ($2.0M won, $0 lost).
- Who funds Forward California?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2020 cycle were Joan Klein Jacobs ($1.5M), Irwin Mark Jacobs ($1.5M), Elizabeth Spratt-Cooper ($1K), Jesse Ferguson, LLC ($250), out of $3.0M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Forward California spend the most on in 2020?
- for Sara Jacobs (California 53rd District, $1.4M, won); against Georgette Gomez (California 53rd District, $704K, unknown); for Sara Jacobs (California 53rd District, $639K, won).