Why It Matters

The United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), has reported more than $53 million in independent expenditures this election cycle, with its largest spending effort targeting Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. ​

The group's website says it "works to elect candidates who share its vision and support a strong U.S.–Israel relationship in Congress." Its spending has included substantial expenditures both to oppose and support Democratic candidates, particularly in competitive primaries. The provided expenditure breakdown identifies $26.66 million opposing Democrats and $22.70 million supporting them, though those candidate-level totals require reconciliation with amended Federal Election Commission filings.

Through Aug. 31, the committee reported $109.72 million in receipts, $83.61 million in disbursements and $54.92 million in cash on hand. Its official FEC financial summary recorded $53.41 million in independent expenditures through that date.

What It Spent

United Democracy Project's largest reported target was El-Sayed, against whom the committee spent approximately $20.24 million in the open Michigan Senate race. It also reported spending $10.52 million to support Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who lost the Democratic primary to El-Sayed.

The committee's other major reported expenditures included $3.58 million opposing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), $2.44 million opposing former Rep. Cori Bush, $5.73 million supporting Adrian Boafo and $4.97 million supporting Melissa Conyears-Ervin.

The spending reflects the committee's involvement in Democratic primaries and its opposition to Massie, a Republican incumbent. Its Michigan advertising criticized El-Sayed's support for the "uncommitted" movement and his positions on Israel-related issues.

Who Funds It

AIPAC is listed as United Democracy Project's largest contributor, with $30 million in reported contributions. That amount is 18.75 times the $1.6 million attributed to Manzanita Action Fund, the next-largest organizational contributor examined in the supplied records. Other reported organizational contributors include Kraft Group LLC ($1 million) and Portage Capital LLC ($650,000). Major individual donors include Paul Singer ($2.6 million) and Haim Saban ($2 million).

The Ad Buy

Targeted Platform Media LLC handled advertising placements for United Democracy Project in Michigan and House races in Illinois, California, and Maryland. According to the supplied transaction records, the committee reported $7.67 million in payments to Targeted Platform Media and $1.77 million to MVAR Media between July 21 and July 28 for expenditures opposing El-Sayed.

The reported transactions include $3.84 million to Targeted Platform Media on July 28 and $3.83 million on July 21 for advertising opposing El-Sayed; $2.33 million on June 16 for advertising supporting Boafo; and $2.08 million each on June 9 and June 16 for advertising supporting Stevens. In July, Axios reported that United Democracy Project had reserved approximately $19 million in television advertising in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, citing AdImpact

On Oct. 9, Jewish Insider reported that United Democracy Project was distributing mailers to approximately 130,000 Jewish voters in Michigan. The advertisements criticized El-Sayed's response to the March attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, including his remark that "hurt people hurt people." El-Sayed later apologized, saying he meant to provide broader context.

The Forward reported Oct. 12 that the committee disclosed a $94,620 direct-mail expenditure opposing El-Sayed. The spending marked the group's renewed involvement in the Michigan general election following its unsuccessful effort to defeat him in the Democratic primary.

Other Spenders in the Same Races

In Michigan's Senate race, the supplied outside-spending records attribute $31.73 million opposing El-Sayed and $1.08 million supporting Republican Mike Rogers to SLF PAC. No Going Back PAC reportedly spent $19.81 million opposing El-Sayed and $3.36 million supporting Rogers. WinSenate reportedly spent $17.51 million opposing Rogers and $4.82 million supporting El-Sayed. In Illinois' 7th Congressional District, FairShake reportedly spent $2.48 million opposing La Shawn Ford, while United We Can spent approximately $538,000 supporting Anthony Driver Jr.

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

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