Why It Matters

BlackPAC, a super PAC focused on mobilizing Black voters and advancing racial and economic justice, has concentrated its outside spending on two Democratic Senate candidates, Scott Colom in Mississippi and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.

The group has directed the majority of its spending toward Colom as it seeks to influence two Senate contests through digital advertising and media production. BlackPAC works to engage and mobilize Black communities around voting rights, criminal justice reform, police accountability, environmental justice, economic opportunity and equitable health care.

What It Spent

BlackPAC's periodic financial reports through Aug. 31 show $411,018 in independent expenditures. Including a subsequent $251,899 expenditure reported Sept. 30, its identified candidate-level expenditures total $662,917. The committee reported approximately $970,159 in receipts, $1.96 million in disbursements, and $794,839 in cash on hand.

The committee reported the additional expenditure after the periodic report's cutoff. Because the FEC's rapid-reporting data can contain original and amended transactions, the combined amount remains subject to reconciliation against the committee's subsequent regular filings. As a Super PAC, BlackPAC can raise and spend unlimited funds independently of candidates but cannot coordinate its independent expenditures with their campaigns.

Where the Money Went

Colom, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Mississippi, received the largest share of BlackPAC's reported support, totaling $411,018. El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, received $251,899 in reported support.

Who Funds It

Government That Works PAC is listed as contributing $500,000 to BlackPAC. The 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Federal Political Action Fund is listed as contributing $400,000 across two transactions. Together, these contributions total $900,000, accounting for approximately 93% of BlackPAC's $970,159 in reported receipts through Aug. 31.

The Ad Buy

BlackPAC reported a $250,000 expenditure to Waterfront Strategies on Aug. 4 for digital advertising and production supporting Colom in Mississippi. On Aug. 6, the committee reported an additional $64,250 to Technicolor Political for digital advertising and production supporting Colom. Another $96,768 expenditure to the same vendor followed on Aug. 7 for media buying and production. These three expenditures total $411,018 in reported support for Colom.

On Sept. 30, BlackPAC reported an estimated $251,899 expenditure to Technicolor Political for digital advertising and production supporting El-Sayed in Michigan. Technicolor Political appears in three of the four identified transactions, including the expenditure supporting El-Sayed. Its reported work encompasses media buying, production, and digital advertising.

You can explore more about this committee's filings at Legis1.com.

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