Why It Matters
Thomas Paine Society L.L.C., an independent expenditure filer, has directed its outside spending toward supporting candidates, primarily Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. Its spending includes advertising backing Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in Georgia's closely watched reelection contest and other Democratic Senate candidates in Ohio, North Carolina and Maine.
The organization's spending strategy emphasizes promoting candidates through newspaper advertising rather than attacking their opponents. Its activity spans several states where Democrats are defending Senate seats or seeking to gain Republican-held seats. OpenSecrets previously described the organization as a "Nonpartisan, independent, nonprofit" entity, although its reported candidate-specific spending this cycle has primarily benefited Democrats.
The Federal Election Commission classifies Thomas Paine Society as an independent expenditure filer, not a political committee or super PAC. Unlike a super PAC, a registered political committee must disclose its donors and finances; an independent expenditure filer reports spending to support or oppose candidates without necessarily facing the same comprehensive financial disclosure requirements.
What It Spent
Thomas Paine Society reported approximately $543,000 in outside spending through Oct. 29, according to the figures supplied for this article. Its spending supported candidates, with no opposition expenditures identified in the available summaries. However, the latest accessible FEC regular-report summary covers July 1 through Sept. 30 and lists $240,234.95 in independent expenditures. The larger late-October total could not be fully reconciled against amended and original filings.
The filer reported approximately $79,000 supporting Ossoff in Georgia's Senate race, where he faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). It also reported about $79,000 supporting Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown, slightly less than Ossoff's total before rounding; $69,000 supporting North Carolina Democrat Roy Cooper; and $58,000 supporting Maine Democrat Troy Jackson, who faces incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
Its additional reported expenditures include support for Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Texas Democrat James Talarico and Iowa Democrat Josh Turek. Complete candidate-level totals for those races were not independently established at the Oct. 29 cutoff, although FEC-derived transaction listings confirm spending benefiting each candidate.
The Ad Buy
Thomas Paine Society's reported advertising purchases were concentrated in newspapers, with placements supporting Democratic Senate candidates across several states.
On Oct. 18, it reported approximately $8,000 for advertising supporting Warner in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and $7,000 supporting Ossoff in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
On Oct. 25, the filer reported approximately $6,000 for advertising supporting Jackson in the Maine Sunday Telegram and $5,000 in the Bangor Daily News. It also reported approximately $5,000 for advertising supporting Talarico in the San Antonio Express-News.
Other Spenders in the Same Races
In Georgia, SLF PAC reportedly spent approximately $11.82 million opposing Ossoff, while The Georgia Way spent $7.05 million opposing Mike Collins and $69,000 supporting Ossoff. Lower Costs Now spent $3.38 million opposing Collins and $2.26 million supporting Ossoff.
In Maine, SLF PAC reportedly spent $33.06 million opposing Jackson, while WINSENATE spent $27.09 million opposing Susan Collins and $5.36 million supporting Jackson. Pine Tree Results PAC spent $16.74 million opposing Jackson.
You can explore more about this committee's filings at Legis1.com.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article
