Why It Matters

NRDC Action Votes has reported $5 million in independent expenditures opposing eight Republican candidates across Senate and House races, with more than 60% of the total against Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) in the Ohio Senate race. The environmental super PAC has also spent against Republican candidates in North Carolina and Republican House members in Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Iowa.

The group describes itself as an independent-expenditure political committee focused on averting dangerous climate change, supporting healthy people and thriving communities, and protecting nature and wildlife, according to its website.

What It Spent

Through Aug. 31, the committee had raised $3.09 million, spent $1.28 million, and held $1.82 million in cash. FEC's periodic financial summary through Aug. 31 reports $250,000 in independent expenditures. The candidate-level spending reported for the cycle totals $5 million across eight Republican candidates.

The largest target is Husted, with $3.05 million in spending opposing him in Ohio's Senate race. Michael Whatley, a Republican Senate candidate in North Carolina, drew $500,000 in opposition spending.

At the House level, Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) in Michigan's 7th District, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) each faced $300,000 in opposition spending. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) in Pennsylvania's 8th District and Jennifer Balkcom, a Republican candidate in North Carolina's 11th District, each drew $250,000 in opposition spending, while Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) drew $50,000.

Who Funds It

NRDC Action Fund is the dominant contributor identified in the committee's itemized receipt data, accounting for approximately $3.08 million of NRDC Action Votes' $3.09 million in total receipts through Aug. 31.

The Ad Buy

A $3 million estimated digital ad buy was reported with C Plus K LLC on Sept. 17 opposing Husted. C Plus K LLC also handled a $500,000 digital ad buy reported Sept. 18 opposing Whatley.

Van Ness Creative Strategies received $300,000 on Sept. 29 for digital advertising opposing Luna. The same vendor was paid $250,000 on July 23 for digital advertising opposing Bresnahan. Van Ness Creative Strategies also appears in filings for digital advertising targeting Wittman, Barrett and Nunn.

The spending reflects the PAC's environmental and energy agenda. NRDC Action Votes said its Sept. 29 campaigns targeting Husted, Barrett, Luna, Wittman and Nunn focused on data centers, energy costs and federal tax policy. Its $250,000 campaign against Balkcom focused on Hurricane Helene recovery.

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

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