Why It Matters

Fresh Start SC PAC has reported nearly $2.5 million in spending on South Carolina's U.S. Senate election, spending nearly twice as much opposing incumbent Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) as supporting Democratic challenger Annie Andrews. The super PAC's advertising has focused on health care and criticism of Graham's positions, while its available donor disclosures identify just two contributors. ​

The super PAC has reported about $2.50 million in outside spending through Oct. 15, all in the South Carolina Senate election. Its financial summary through June 30 shows $80,000 in receipts, no disbursements, and $80,000 in cash on hand. These figures predate the committee's October advertising expenditures.

Semafor reported Sept. 17 that a new group was launching a $2.5 million campaign to boost Andrews, emphasizing health care and criticizing Graham's positions. The Greenville News reported Oct. 15 that, as of Oct. 12, Fresh Start SC PAC was the only PAC reporting digital advertising purchases supporting Democrats.

What It Spent

The committee has concentrated its spending on a single Senate race, reporting approximately $1.63 million opposing Graham and $871,000 supporting Andrews. Opposition spending accounts for roughly 65% of its total spending.

The largest reported transaction was a $1.32 million television advertising expenditure opposing Graham on Oct. 7, exceeding the committee's total spending supporting Andrews. Between Oct. 7 and Oct. 9, the PAC reported approximately $1.32 million in television advertising opposing Graham, $564,000 in television advertising supporting Andrews, $300,000 in digital advertising supporting Andrews and $300,000 in digital advertising opposing Graham, all through Waterfront Strategies. MVAR Media LLC also received payments for television and digital advertising production supporting Andrews and opposing Graham.

The Nov. 3 election will determine who holds the Senate seat Graham currently occupies, a seat she inherited after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died. The Republican nominee won an August special primary runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC).

Who Funds It

The committee's disclosed receipts through June 30 totaled $80,000, entirely from individual contributions. Susan P. Johnson contributed $55,000 across two transactions, while Andrew Goffe contributed $25,000.

The available reporting-period summary shows no organizational donors or contributions from other political committees. However, the disclosure period ends before the committee's approximately $2.5 million October advertising campaign, so the reviewed financial records do not establish the ultimate source of those expenditures.

The Ad Buy

Waterfront Strategies handled the committee's major television and digital advertising placements, accounting for approximately $2.48 million in reported spending. MVAR Media LLC received approximately $16,000 for advertising production.

Fresh Start SC PAC has also been associated with 52 reported broadcast buys, with its largest placements concentrated in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson and Charlotte television markets.

On Oct. 13 and 14, the PAC reportedly filed six changes to existing advertising purchases, adjusting previously scheduled airtime rather than adding new television markets:

  • WSOC-TV, Charlotte: Oct. 6-12 purchase reduced by $2,400 to $92,150.
  • WSOC-TV, Charlotte: Oct. 13-19 purchase increased by $2,400, from $106,300 to $108,700.
  • WCNC-TV, Charlotte: Oct. 6-12 purchase reduced by $650 to $13,400.
  • WCNC-TV, Charlotte: Oct. 13-19 purchase increased by $650 to $50,650.
  • WYFF, Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson: Oct. 13-19 purchase increased by $1,500 to $50,300.
  • WYFF, Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson: A separate Oct. 13-19 purchase increased by $1,300 to $48,150.

These broadcast purchase figures reflect advertising reservations and adjustments, not additional expenditures to add to the committee's FEC-reported independent-expenditure total.

Other Spenders in the Same Races

Other super PACs have also reported significant spending in South Carolina's Senate contest, although their spending includes activity during the Republican nomination campaign and the general election. Security Is Strength PAC has reportedly spent about $3.84 million supporting the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, $3.22 million supporting Darline Graham, and $2.91 million opposing Andrews.

Palmetto Action has reportedly spent about $3.53 million opposing Mark Lynch, $3.19 million opposing Norman, and $711,000 supporting Darline Graham. American Mission has reportedly spent about $2.29 million supporting Darline Graham and $374,000 supporting Lindsey Graham.

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

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