Why It Matters

Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund, a super PAC focused on gun violence prevention, has reported millions of dollars in independent expenditures supporting Democratic House candidates and opposing Republican incumbents ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Its largest investments target competitive contests in Iowa, Arizona and Pennsylvania, where outside advertising could influence the fight for control of the House. ​

The committee's Gun Sense Voter website identifies the effort as a project of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund, working with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America to support candidates who advance gun safety policies.

What It Spent

Everytown's spending is concentrated in competitive House races, with its largest reported investments benefiting Democratic challengers to Republican incumbents.

In Arizona's 6th Congressional District, the committee has reported approximately $1.53 million supporting Democratic nominee JoAnna Mendoza, who faces Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ). The spending includes digital advertising, television advertising, production, and voter outreach. The race is rated Lean Democratic.

In Iowa's 1st District, Everytown has reported approximately $1.45 million supporting Christina Bohannan and $1.01 million opposing Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). Together, the approximately $2.46 million makes the district one of the committee's largest targets. The opposition spending against Miller-Meeks accounts for more than half of the approximately $1.98 million in Republican-opposition expenditures cited in the original tally.

In Pennsylvania's 8th District, a Toss-up contest, the committee has reported approximately $919,000 supporting Paige Cognetti and $490,000 opposing Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA). Its spending includes television and digital advertising, as well as production costs.

In Iowa's 3rd District, Everytown has reported approximately $480,000 opposing Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), along with $450,000 supporting Democratic challenger Sarah Trone Garriott.

The committee also reported approximately $451,000 supporting Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) in Michigan's 8th District, including digital advertising and smaller voter-outreach expenditures.

Additional reported investments include $450,000 supporting Christina Hines in Michigan's 10th District, $450,000 supporting Pia Dandiya in Florida's 22nd District and $450,000 supporting Lindsay James in Iowa's 2nd District.

Who Funds It

Everytown's financial support comes from major individual donors and its affiliated gun safety advocacy organization. According to the original September financial figures, the committee reported about $32.3 million in receipts, $4.51 million in disbursements, and $31.4 million in cash on hand through Sept. 30.

On Oct. 20, Forbes reported that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg directed $24 million to Everytown as part of a broader effort to help Democrats regain control of the House. Bloomberg also directed $16 million to House Majority PAC, according to reporting on his political spending.

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Inc., an affiliated advocacy organization, contributed a reported $6.91 million across 20 transactions. Connie Ballmer, a philanthropist and wife of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, contributed $3 million.

The committee also reported $442,000 in contributions to other political committees during the cycle: $200,000 to EDW Action Fund, $192,000 to HMP and $50,000 to With Honor Fund III Inc.

The Ad Buy

Everytown's recent spending has centered on television and digital advertising, including substantial transactions reported through Waterfront Strategies Inc. On Oct. 13, the committee reported approximately $995,000 for television advertising supporting Bohannan and another $995,000 for advertising opposing Miller-Meeks in Iowa's 1st District. Those were separately reported expenditures, not a single $995,000 purchase counted twice.

The same day, Everytown reported a $526,392 television advertising expenditure supporting Mendoza in Arizona's 6th District, with the filing describing the advertising as also opposing Ciscomani. A separate $20,000 production expenditure carried a similar description.

In Pennsylvania's 8th District, the committee reported $462,240 for television advertising supporting Cognetti and another $462,240 opposing Bresnahan on Oct. 13.

Other Oct. 13 transactions included about $456,000 for television advertising opposing Nunn; media-production expenditures of about $28,000 opposing Bresnahan; $24,000 opposing Nunn; and $19,000 opposing Miller-Meeks.

An Oct. 6 Axios report described a $10 million Everytown advertising initiative targeting eight Republican-held House seats. The campaign's messaging extended beyond gun legislation to public safety, crime, fentanyl trafficking, immigration and police funding.

Other Spenders in the Same Races

Everytown is competing with substantial outside spending from other political organizations. In Iowa's 1st District, Congressional Leadership Fund has reportedly spent about $5.06 million opposing Bohannan, while SD 2026 has reportedly spent about $1.62 million opposing Miller-Meeks, and 314 Action Fund has reportedly spent about $1.04 million opposing her.

In Arizona's 6th District, Congressional Leadership Fund has reportedly spent about $3.48 million opposing Mendoza, while House Majority PAC has spent roughly $2.89 million opposing Ciscomani. Americans for Prosperity Action has also reported about $415,000 supporting Ciscomani and $264,000 opposing Mendoza.

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

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