Why It Matters

A newly registered Salt Lake City super PAC, Our Heritage Matters, is directing its late-cycle spending toward Libertarian and other third-party candidates while also opposing Republicans in competitive congressional races. Its largest targets include the Iowa U.S. Senate open-seat race and the Kansas Senate contest, where its support for Libertarian candidates adds another layer to races already attracting substantial outside spending. ​

The spending pattern could benefit Democratic candidates if Libertarian campaigns draw votes from Republican nominees, although that outcome is uncertain and the committee's intentions have not been independently established. Punchbowl News reported Oct. 27 that the committee's activities could aid Democratic candidates in congressional races, including Montana's open 1st District and Kentucky's open 6th District.

Our Heritage Matters has not publicly identified a broader policy agenda or the interests financing its activities. Its reported spending suggests an emphasis on third-party candidacies and opposition to Republican candidates rather than a clearly documented issue-based advocacy program.

What It Spent

Based on the independent expenditure figures assembled for this article, Our Heritage Matters has reported approximately $1.21 million in outside spending, including roughly $643,000 supporting Libertarian candidates and $321,000 opposing Republicans. These figures are provisional because the committee has not fully reconciled the underlying 24- and 48-hour notices against amendments and subsequent filings.

The committee's largest reported spending targets include:

  • Thomas Raymond Laehn (Libertarian), Iowa Senate: Approximately $304,000 supporting Laehn. The open-seat general election features Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson.
  • David C. Graham (Libertarian), Kansas Senate: Approximately $188,000 supporting Graham. The general election features incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Democrat Adam Hamilton.
  • Jay Bowman, Kentucky's 6th District: Approximately $95,000 supporting Bowman.
  • Rick Stewart, Iowa's 2nd District: Approximately $74,000 supporting Stewart.
  • Thomas McMasters: Approximately $56,759.87 supporting McMasters.
  • Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS): Approximately $157,000 opposing Marshall.
  • Aaron Flint, Montana's 1st District: Approximately $72,000 opposing Flint.
  • Timothy Gabriel Evans: Approximately $46,559.37 opposing Evans.

The Ad Buy

The committee's reported Senate expenditures have primarily involved digital advertising purchased through Chase Grove LLC. On Oct. 21, the firm was listed in expenditures of $107,000 supporting Laehn in Iowa and $74,000 supporting Graham in Kansas. Additional reported expenditures supporting Laehn included $105,000 on Oct. 22 and $57,000 on Oct. 23.

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Chase Grove also appeared in reported expenditures opposing Marshall, including $52,000 on Oct. 21 and $43,000 on Oct. 22. Good Way Associates was listed as a direct-mail vendor in several House races. Reported Oct. 24 expenditures included $37,000 supporting William Oliver Reeside Jr. in South Carolina's 1st District, $36,000 supporting Stewart in Iowa's 2nd District, and $35,000 supporting Bowman in Kentucky's 6th District.

Other Spenders in the Same Races

In Iowa's Senate race, the supplied outside-spending figures show SLF PAC spending approximately $40.9 million opposing Turek and $1.7 million supporting Hinson. WinSenate reportedly spent $33.5 million opposing Hinson and $2.3 million supporting Turek. These figures require reconciliation with current FEC filings before publication.

In Kansas, the supplied figures show SLF PAC spending $11.2 million opposing Hamilton and $225,000 supporting Marshall. People Over Politics Action Fund reportedly spent $11.1 million opposing Marshall, while Lower Costs Now spent $5.8 million opposing Marshall and $4.5 million supporting Hamilton.

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

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