Big Red Leadership PAC spent $3.0M on independent expenditures in the 2024 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2024). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 100% ended up on the winning side ($3.0M won, $0 lost).
Outside spending
$3.0M
On the winning side
100%
$3.0M
On the losing side
$0
Supporting vs attacking
45% / 55%
$1.3M for, $1.7M against
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Big Red Leadership PAC reported $3.1M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- J Peter RickettsIndividual$1.6M (52%)
- Marlene RickettsIndividual$1.5M (48%)
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Vargas | Nebraska 2nd District | Attacking | $1.7M | ✓ Yes |
| Don Bacon | Nebraska 2nd District | Supporting | $690K | ✓ Yes |
| Don Bacon | Nebraska 2nd District (primary) | Supporting | $644K | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did Big Red Leadership PAC spend in 2024, and did it win?
- Big Red Leadership PAC spent $3.0M on independent expenditures in the 2024 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2024). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 100% ended up on the winning side ($3.0M won, $0 lost).
- Who funds Big Red Leadership PAC?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2024 cycle were J Peter Ricketts ($1.6M), Marlene Ricketts ($1.5M), out of $3.1M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Big Red Leadership PAC spend the most on in 2024?
- against Tony Vargas (Nebraska 2nd District, $1.7M, won); for Don Bacon (Nebraska 2nd District, $690K, won); for Don Bacon (Nebraska 2nd District, $644K, won).