Why It Matters

The Senate GOP's leading super PAC is shifting millions of dollars across key Senate races, pausing additional spending in North Carolina after investing more than $32 million there while redirecting resources to defend Republicans in states including Kansas. SLF PAC has reported about $80 million in outside spending this cycle as it works to protect and expand the Republican Senate majority.

Its spending has targeted Democratic Senate candidates in several states while supporting Republican candidates, making the group one of the largest outside spenders in the battle for Senate control. SLF describes itself as "the only outside organization solely dedicated to protecting and expanding the Republican Senate Majority." Through June 30, the committee had raised $253.66 million and held $238.61 million in cash on hand.

What It Spent

SLF PAC's regular FEC reports showed $6.45 million in independent expenditures through June 30. The committee later disclosed tens of millions of dollars in additional spending through 24- and 48-hour independent-expenditure reports, bringing the PAC's spending this cycle to about $80 million.

Where the Money Went

SLF has directed substantial spending toward Senate races in Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Iowa, Maine, Georgia and other states, while its latest spending decisions show the group shifting resources as the Senate map changes.

Among its largest Democratic targets are Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper, Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Joshua Turek in Iowa and Troy Jackson in Maine. The committee has also spent to support Republican candidates, including Michael J. Rogers in Michigan, Rep. Ashley Hinson Arenholz (R-IA) and Sen. Susan M. Collins (R-ME).

The Washington Post reported Oct. 2 that SLF was pausing additional spending in North Carolina after spending more than $32 million in the race between Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley. The group had initially announced plans to invest $71 million in North Carolina. A person familiar with SLF's plans told the Post that shifting resources was the best use of the group's money as it seeks to preserve the Republican Senate majority. At the same time, SLF began spending in Kansas to support Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) against Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton. Semafor reported that SLF was putting seven figures into the Kansas race and had also recently increased its spending in Ohio and Iowa.

Who Funds It

One Nation, the nonprofit organization affiliated with SLF, is its largest funding source, contributing $70.74 million through June 30, or about 28% of the super PAC's total receipts.

SLF's other major donors include individuals and corporations. Its largest disclosed individual donors include billionaires such as Miriam Adelson, Stephen Schwarzman, Paul Singer, Elon Musk and Kenneth Griffin. Corporate donors include Chevron Corporation, RAI Services Company, the American Petroleum Institute, Altria Client Services LLC and Devon Energy Corporation.

Chevron contributed $3.9 million, RAI Services Company contributed about $3 million, the American Petroleum Institute contributed $3 million, Altria Client Services LLC contributed $2.25 million, and Devon Energy Corporation contributed $2 million.

The Ad Buy

SLF's recent filings show multimillion-dollar media placements targeting Democratic Senate candidates. These include spending through Flexpoint Media opposing Brown and through MHB Media Inc. opposing El-Sayed and Georgia Senate candidate Jon Ossoff.

The North Carolina pullback marks a significant shift from SLF's initial spending plan. In April, the group announced a $342 million initial investment across eight Senate races, including $71 million reserved for North Carolina. After spending more than $32 million in the state, SLF paused further spending as Whatley continued to trail Cooper, according to the Washington Post. SLF simultaneously shifted resources to Kansas to support Marshall.

The committee's spending is part of a broader national advertising strategy focused on Senate races. SLF has announced investments across Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio, using television, cable, streaming, radio, digital advertising, direct mail, texting, field activity and voter turnout programs.

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

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