Americans for Progressive Action USA spent $2.6M 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, 15% ended up on the winning side ($297K won, $1.7M lost).
Outside spending
$2.6M
On the winning side
15%
$297K
On the losing side
$1.7M
Supporting vs attacking
12% / 88%
$297K for, $2.3M against
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Americans for Progressive Action USA reported $4.8M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- Christopher Richardeson SullivanIndividual$3.5M (73%)
- Henry BassIndividual$805K (17%)
- Vincent SullivanIndividual$500K (10%)
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martha McSally | Arizona Senate (primary) | Attacking | $821K | ✗ No |
| Thom Tillis | North Carolina Senate | Attacking | $573K | Unknown |
| Joni Ernst | Iowa Senate (primary) | Attacking | $381K | ✗ No |
| Susan Margaret Collins | Maine Senate (primary) | Attacking | $318K | ✗ No |
| Sara I. Gideon | Maine Senate (primary) | Supporting | $187K | ✓ Yes |
| Mitch McConnell | Kentucky Senate (primary) | Attacking | $178K | ✗ No |
| Barbara Bollier | Kansas Senate (primary) | Supporting | $109K | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did Americans for Progressive Action USA spend in 2020, and did it win?
- Americans for Progressive Action USA spent $2.6M 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, 15% ended up on the winning side ($297K won, $1.7M lost).
- Who funds Americans for Progressive Action USA?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2020 cycle were Christopher Richardeson Sullivan ($3.5M), Henry Bass ($805K), Vincent Sullivan ($500K), out of $4.8M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Americans for Progressive Action USA spend the most on in 2020?
- against Martha McSally (Arizona Senate, $821K, lost); against Thom Tillis (North Carolina Senate, $573K, unknown); against Joni Ernst (Iowa Senate, $381K, lost).