New Leadership Now spent $5.4M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 77% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 46% ended up on the winning side ($1.3M won, $1.5M lost, with $2.7M in races still being counted).
Outside spending
$5.4M
On the winning side
46%
$1.3M
On the losing side
$1.5M
$2.7M still being counted
Supporting vs attacking
23% / 77%
$1.3M for, $4.1M against
Google says New Leadership Now also spent $273K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (5% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
New Leadership Now reported $5.7M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- Elisa StadIndividual$4.3M (75%)
- Dan GillespieIndividual$400K (7%)
- Maurice DucaIndividual$250K (4%)
- Gillespie Family TrustCompany / nonprofit$225K (4%)
- David TrujilloIndividual$100K (2%)
- Jim CoulterIndividual$100K (2%)
- Common Blue StrategiesCompany / nonprofit$77K (1%)
- Neil MehtaIndividual$50K (1%)
- Scott GilbertsonIndividual$50K (1%)
- Jared MiddlemanIndividual$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 Race not called yet Result not matched
| Candidate | Race | Spending | Amount | Paid off? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Thompson | California 4th District | Attacking | $2.7M | Counting |
| Mike Thompson | California 4th District (primary) | Attacking | $1.5M | ✗ No |
| Eric Jones | California 4th District (primary) | Supporting | $1.3M | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did New Leadership Now spend in 2026, and did it win?
- New Leadership Now spent $5.4M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 77% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 46% ended up on the winning side ($1.3M won, $1.5M lost, with $2.7M in races still being counted).
- Who funds New Leadership Now?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2026 cycle were Elisa Stad ($4.3M), Dan Gillespie ($400K), Maurice Duca ($250K), Gillespie Family Trust ($225K), David Trujillo ($100K), out of $5.7M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did New Leadership Now spend the most on in 2026?
- against Mike Thompson (California 4th District, $2.7M, pending); against Mike Thompson (California 4th District, $1.5M, lost); for Eric Jones (California 4th District, $1.3M, won).