PAC
Padilla
Defend the Dream
Politician's leadership PAC · FEC committee C00771238
Padilla gave $220K directly to 34 federal candidates in 2026 through its PAC, Defend the Dream, and 100% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings with varying coverage dates; the most common larger-campaign cutoff is Oct 14, 2026). 29 of the 29 candidates with a result won.
Checks to candidates
$220K
34 candidates on the 2026 ballot
Winners bought
29
5 more still being counted
Hit rate
100%
$188K on winners, $0 on losers
Party split
0% / 100%
Republicans / Democrats
Who funds it
The people giving to the Padilla PAC
- Michelle Heredia-CordovaTribal Chairperson · Table Mountain Rancheria · CA$10K2 gifts
- Christopher DixonGeneral Partner · Andreessen Horowitz · CA$10K2 gifts
- Nat SimonsInvestor · Meritage Group LP · CA$10K2 gifts
- Matthew TanielianConsultant · Franklin Square Group LLC · DC$10K2 gifts
- Ben HorowitzCofounder and General Partner · Andreessen Horowitz · NV$10K2 gifts
- Jules BuenabentaCEO · Fit Future in Tech Inc. · CA$9K2 gifts
- Nathalie HerbstCFO · Kmec, Inc. · CA$8K2 gifts
- Michael SmithManaging Principal · Cornerstone Government Affairs · MD$8K2 gifts
- Cristobal AlexHead of Dc Office · Tusk Strategies · DC$7K2 gifts
- Raymond BuchegerGovernment Affairs Consultant · Accelerate Strategies · DC$6K2 gifts
Show 15 moreShow fewer
- Kimberly RobbinsHomemaker · CA$5K
- Arshi SiddiquiAttorney · Bellwether Government Affairs · FL$5K
- Randall BaronAttorney · Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP · CA$5K
- Matthew EpperlyManaging Director · Chartwell Strategy Group · MD$5K
- Elena SilenokFounder · Clothia, Inc. · CA$5K
- Janice BrownLawyer · Meyers Nave · CA$5K
- Steven BillsAi Researcher · Anthropic Pbc · CA$5K
- Felicia HorowitzPhilanthropist · Horowitz Foundation · NV$5K
- Andrew HauptmanChairman · Andell Holdings, Inc. · CA$5K
- Irving AzoffChairman and CEO · The Azoff Company · CA$5K
- Steven MadisonLawyer · Quinn Emanuel · CA$5K
- Frank MoranBusiness Owner · Teamone · CA$5K
- Nicole MutchnikNot-Employed · Not-Employed · CA$5K
- Spencer BurkholzLawyer · Robbins Geller · CA$5K
- Joseph DaleyAttorney · Robbins, Geller · CA$5K
Names, employers and occupations are as the committee reported them to the FEC. People with the same name in the same state are counted as one person. Federal law bars using these names to ask for money or for any commercial purpose.
Biggest checks
| Candidate | Race | Amount | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Gray | California 13th District | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Chris Coons | Delaware Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Cory Booker | New Jersey Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Derek Tran | California 45th District | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Mark Warner | Virginia Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| John Hickenlooper | Colorado Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Jeff Merkley | Oregon Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Jon Ossoff | Georgia Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Ben Ray Luján | New Mexico Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
| Jack Reed | Rhode Island Senate | $10K | ✓ Won |
Questions people ask
- How much did Padilla give to candidates in 2026?
- Padilla gave $220K directly to 34 federal candidates in 2026 through its PAC, Defend the Dream, and 100% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings with varying coverage dates; the most common larger-campaign cutoff is Oct 14, 2026). 29 of the 29 candidates with a result won.
- Which politicians did Padilla give the most to in 2026?
- Adam Gray (Democrat, California 13th District, $10K), Chris Coons (Democrat, Delaware Senate, $10K), Cory Booker (Democrat, New Jersey Senate, $10K), Derek Tran (Democrat, California 45th District, $10K), Mark Warner (Democrat, Virginia Senate, $10K).