Defend US PAC spent $3.4M on independent expenditures in the 2022 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2022). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 71% ended up on the winning side ($2.4M won, $970K lost).
Outside spending
$3.4M
On the winning side
71%
$2.4M
On the losing side
$970K
Supporting vs attacking
29% / 71%
$967K for, $2.4M against
Google says Defend US PAC also spent $65K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (2% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Defend US PAC reported $4.7M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- American Advancement, IncCompany / nonprofit$1.6M (33%)
- Prosperity Alliance, IncCompany / nonprofit$1.3M (27%)
- American Policy CoalitionCompany / nonprofit$700K (15%)
- Safe Streets Safe CommunitiesCompany / nonprofit$400K (9%)
- American Exceptionalism Institute IncCompany / nonprofit$250K (5%)
- American Jobs and Growth PACAnother PAC$203K (4%)
- Hometown Freedom Action NetworkAnother PAC$100K (2%)
- Rustic Decor, LLCCompany / nonprofit$50K (1%)
- Hilliary Communications LLCCompany / nonprofit$50K (1%)
- Protecting Americans Project Action FundAnother PAC$50K (1%)
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markwayne Mullin | Oklahoma Senate (special) | Supporting | $942K | ✓ Yes |
| Jamie McLeod-Skinner | Oregon 5th District | Attacking | $737K | ✓ Yes |
| Catherine Cortez Masto | Nevada Senate | Attacking | $274K | ✗ No |
| Angie Craig | Minnesota 2nd District | Attacking | $223K | ✗ No |
| Tom Malinowski | New Jersey 7th District | Attacking | $219K | ✓ Yes |
| Tom O'Halleran | Arizona 2nd District | Attacking | $184K | ✓ Yes |
| Elissa Slotkin | Michigan 7th District | Attacking | $181K | ✗ No |
| Abigail A. Spanberger | Virginia 7th District | Attacking | $170K | ✗ No |
| Cindy Axne | Iowa 3rd District | Attacking | $151K | ✓ Yes |
| Elaine G. Luria | Virginia 2nd District | Attacking | $136K | ✓ Yes |
| Susan Wild | Pennsylvania 7th District | Attacking | $121K | ✗ No |
| Mike Carey | Ohio 15th District | Supporting | $25K | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did Defend US PAC spend in 2022, and did it win?
- Defend US PAC spent $3.4M on independent expenditures in the 2022 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2022). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 71% ended up on the winning side ($2.4M won, $970K lost).
- Who funds Defend US PAC?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2022 cycle were American Advancement, Inc ($1.6M), Prosperity Alliance, Inc ($1.3M), American Policy Coalition ($700K), Safe Streets Safe Communities ($400K), American Exceptionalism Institute Inc ($250K), out of $4.7M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Defend US PAC spend the most on in 2022?
- for Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma Senate (special), $942K, won); against Jamie McLeod-Skinner (Oregon 5th District, $737K, won); against Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada Senate, $274K, lost).