American Unity PAC
| American Unity PAC | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | Super PAC |
| Affiliation: | Republican |
| Year founded: | 2012 |
| Website: | Official website |
American Unity PAC is a Republican super PAC that supports candidates for federal office whose policies align with the group's stated purpose of supporting "freedom for all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."[1] The organization is related to, but operates independently of, American Unity Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.
Mission
American Unity PAC lists the following statement of purpose on the organization's website:[1]
| “ | American Unity PAC is a federal independent expenditure-only committee (Super PAC) registered with the Federal Election Commission that is focused exclusively on protecting and promoting candidates for U.S. House and U.S. Senate who support freedom for all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.[2] | ” |
History
American Unity PAC was founded in 2012 with an initial $1 million donation from billionaire Republican donor Paul Singer.[3] At the time the organization was formed, The New York Times reported that the group's "sole mission will be to encourage Republican candidates to support same-sex marriage, in part by helping them to feel financially shielded from any blowback from well-funded groups that oppose it."[4]
The group's first expenditure in 2012 targeted Bill Foster (D-Ill.) who was challenging then-U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.). According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the ads purchased by American Unity PAC were not about same-sex marriage; they criticized Foster for his spending history. The article went on to note reasons for the super PAC's support of Biggert: "Biggert is hardly an out-front supporter of gay marriage. However, among Republicans she is considered to be friendly to LGBT issues."[5]
Work
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In 2014, USA Today described American Unity PAC's work: "American Unity's strategy varies by contest. In Illinois and Minnesota this year, it helped launch state-focused super PACs to back like-minded Republicans in primaries. In other states, it has encouraged its network of donors to send campaign checks directly to at-risk candidates."[6] American Unity's spokesperson Jeff Cook-McCormac described the donor base in 2013, saying, "What you have is this network of influential Republicans who really want to see the party embrace the freedom to marry, and believe it’s not only the right thing for the country but also good politics."[7]
2016 elections
In the 2016 elections, American Unity PAC spent a grand total of $2,431,134: $1,190,098 against Democrats and $1,241,036 for Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. [8]
| Top 8 largest American Unity PAC expenditures in 2016[8] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Total | For | Against | Desired Result |
| Carlos Curbelo |  |
Fla. | U.S. House | $426,713 | $426,713 | $0 |  |
| Joe Garcia |  |
Fla. | U.S. House | $326,930 | $0 | $326,930 | |
| Ted Strickland | |
Ohio | U.S. Senate | $303,449 | $0 | $303,449 | |
| Ben West | |
Ore. | U.S. House | $255,531 | $255,531 | $0 |  |
| Catherine Cortez Masto | |
Nev. | U.S. Senate | $219,224 | $0 | $219,224 | |
| Zephyr Teachout | |
N.Y. | U.S. House | $140,946 | $0 | $140,946 | |
| Mike Coffman | |
Colo. | U.S. House | $125,537 | $125,537 | $0 | |
| Tammy Duckworth | |
Ill. | U.S. Senate | $99,783 | $0 | $99,783 | |
2014 elections
In the 2014 elections, American Unity PAC spent a grand total of $4,778,405: $369,177 against Democrats, $3,155,361 for Republicans, and $603,131 against Republicans. [9]
| Top 10 largest American Unity PAC expenditures in 2014[9] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Total | For | Against | Desired Result |
| Richard Tisei | |
Mass. | House | $1,016,843 | $1,016,843 | $0 | |
| Dan Innis | |
N.H. | House | $768,217 | $768,217 | $0 | |
| Claudia Tenney | |
N.Y. | House | $603,131 | $0 | $603,131 | |
| Mike Coffman | |
Colo. | House | $291,863 | $291,863 | $0 | |
| John Katko | |
Conn. | House | $268,789 | $268,789 | $0 | |
| Joe Garcia | |
Fla. | House | $237,144 | $0 | $237,144 | |
| Bob Dold | |
Ill. | House | $234,634 | $234,634 | $0 | |
| Monica Wehby | |
Ore. | Senate | $118,559 | $118,559 | $0 | |
| Nan Hayworth | |
N.Y. | Senate | $115,774 | $115,774 | $0 | |
| Chris Gibson | |
N.Y. | House | $100,817 | $100,817 | $0 | |
2012 elections
In the 2012 elections, American Unity PAC spent a grand total of $2,245,078: $952,089 against Democrats and $1,292,989 for Republicans. [10]
| Top 9 largest American Unity PAC expenditures in 2012[10] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Total | For | Against | Desired Result |
| Richard Tisei | |
Mass | House | $528,935 | $528,935 | $0 | |
| Bill Foster | |
Ill. | House | $528,534 | $0 | $528,534 | |
| Raul Ruiz | |
Calif. | House | $423,555 | $0 | $423,555 | |
| Nan Hayworth | |
N.Y. | House | $261,148 | $261,148 | $0 | |
| Linda McMahon | |
Conn. | Senate | $130,525 | $130,525 | $0 | |
| Andrew Roraback | |
Conn. | House | $130,525 | $130,525 | $0 | |
| Richard L. Hanna | |
N.Y. | House | $124,523 | $124,523 | $0 | |
| Ileana Ros-Lehtinen | |
Fla. | House | $108,662 | $108,662 | $0 | |
| Judy Biggert | |
Ill. | House | $8,671 | $8,671 | $0 | |
Finances
The following table identifies total receipts and disbursements for American Unity PAC according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission:
| Annual federal receipts and disbursements for American Unity PAC, 2012-2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax year | Total receipts | Total disbursements |
| 2016[11] | $2,910,566 | $3,639,835 |
| 2015[12] | $2,052,112 | $846,877 |
| 2014[13] | $6,331,855 | $5,955,571 |
| 2013[14] | $262,783 | $259,905 |
| 2012[15] | $2,804,742 | $2,700,277 |
Donors
2015
According to the super PAC's filings with the FEC, the top donors in 2015 were:[12]
- Paul Singer, $1,010,082.50
- Seth Klarman, $1,000,000
- Mentzer Media Services, Inc., $41,289.52
- W. Patrick Wilson, $500
2014
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the top five donors in 2014 were:[16]
- Paul Singer, $2,997,324
- Seth Klarman, $1,300,000
- Daniel Loeb, $1,000,000
- Cliff Asness, $400,000
- Jon Pollock, $250,000
2013
According to the super PAC's filings with the FEC, the top five donors in 2013 were:[17][18]
- Paul Singer, $153,075.95
- Peter T. Paul, $55,000
- American Crossroads, $53,000
- Thaddeus Burns, $500
- Jay Moore, $500
2012
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the top five donors in 2012 were:[19]
- Paul Singer, $1,715,316
- Seth Klarman, $500,000
- Daniel Loeb, $250,000
- David Tepper, $150,000
- Cliff Asness, $100,000
Legal status
American Unity PAC is a super PAC. A super PAC is a political committee that can solicit and spend unlimited sums of money. A super PAC cannot contribute directly to a politician or political party, but it can spend independently to campaign for or against political figures. These committees are also called independent expenditure-only committees. A super PAC is not legally considered a political action committee (PAC) and as such is regulated under separate rules.[20][21]
Media
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'American Unity' super PAC. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 American Unity PAC "About Us," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Federal Elections Commission, "July Monthly Report, American Unity PAC," July 18, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "The G.O.P.’s Gay Trajectory," June 9, 2012
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Super PAC Supporting Pro-Gay Marriage Republicans Makes First Expenditure," September 28, 2012
- ↑ USA Today, "GOP super PAC plans gay-rights push this fall," August 17, 2014
- ↑ HedgeCo.Net, "Hedge Fund Founder Launches Pro-Marriage Equality PAC," April 30, 2013
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Center for Responsive Politics, "American Unity PAC Recipients, 2016," accessed July 5, 2017
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Center for Responsive Politics, "American Unity PAC Recipients, 2014," accessed May 27, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Open Secrets, "American Unity PAC Recipients, 2012," accessed July 17, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "American Unity PAC Year-End Report, 2016," May 16, 2017
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Federal Election Commission, "American Unity PAC Year-End Report, 2015," accessed May 27, 2016
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "American Unity PAC Year-End Report, 2014," January 30, 2015
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "American Unity PAC Year-End Report, 2013," January 31, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "American Unity PAC Year-End Report, 2012," January 31, 2013
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "American Unity PAC Contributors, 2014 Cycle," accessed May 27, 2016
- ↑ Federal Elections Commission, "American Unity PAC Post Special Election Report, 2013," accessed May 27, 2016
- ↑ Federal Elections Commission, "American Unity PAC Year-End Report, 2013," accessed May 27, 2016
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "American Unity PAC Contributors, 2012 cycle," accessed May 27, 2016
- ↑ The Atlantic, "The New York Times' Disingenuous Campaign Against Citizens United," February 24, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "Who's Financing the 'Super PACs?" May 7, 2012
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