Why It Matters
Wilderness Action, Inc., a super PAC affiliated with The Wilderness Society Action Fund, has concentrated more than half its independent expenditures on opposing Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) in Minnesota's 8th U.S. House District, while supporting Democrats Amish Shah in Arizona and Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) in New Mexico.
The committee's spending against Stauber is notable because Minnesota's 8th District is rated Solid Republican, while its support for Shah and Vasquez focuses on contests rated Lean Democratic and Likely Democratic, respectively. Its spending reflects a conservation-focused strategy that includes challenging a Republican incumbent and supporting Democrats in two other congressional races.
The Wilderness Society Action Fund's website describes its mission as protecting public lands, addressing climate change, preserving biodiversity, and supporting communities affected by environmental policy. The organization advocates federal policies to protect public lands and supports candidates aligned with its conservation priorities.
What It Spent
Wilderness Action has reported approximately $633,055 in independent expenditures, including $342,414.60 opposing Republicans and $290,640.30 supporting Democrats. More than half its outside spending has targeted Stauber.
- The committee's spending covers three congressional races:
- Minnesota's 8th U.S. House District: $342,414.60 opposing Stauber, the Republican incumbent.
- Arizona's 1st U.S. House District: Approximately $160,000 supporting Democrat Amish Shah in an open-seat contest rated Lean Democratic.
- New Mexico's 2nd U.S. House District: Approximately $130,000 supporting Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) in a race rated Likely Democratic.
The committee's expenditures against Stauber exceed its combined spending supporting Shah and Vasquez.
Who Funds It
The Wilderness Society Action Fund is Wilderness Action's largest reported contributor, providing approximately $687,000 across seven transactions. The organization is a 501(c)(4) advocacy group affiliated with The Wilderness Society, a conservation nonprofit.
Other reported organizational contributors include:
- LCV Victory Fund: $200,000.
- NRDC Action: $100,000.
- House Majority PAC: $75,000.
- Midwest Values PAC: $30,000.
Five individual contributors also provided funding: Zoe Stein contributed $10,000; Kevin Luzak, Marcie Musser and Will Roush each contributed $5,000; and Diane Parish contributed $3,000.
The committee's financial backing reflects a coalition of conservation organizations and Democratic-aligned political groups. The Wilderness Society Action Fund supplies the largest share of its funding, with additional support from environmental advocacy organizations and other political committees.
The Ad Buy
Wilderness Action has used television and digital advertising, direct mail, mobile billboards, and other campaign communications to support its preferred candidates. Grassroots Media handled the committee's television advertising opposing Stauber, including an estimated $93,191.81 expenditure on Oct. 15 and $140,640.30 on Oct. 20. The two transactions totaled $233,832.11 in television advertising over six days.
Blue State handled digital advertising across all three races, including $106,000 on Oct. 13 supporting Shah, $76,000 on Oct. 13 supporting Vasquez, and $40,000 on Oct. 16 opposing Stauber. It also handled additional digital advertising opposing Stauber on Oct. 21. Production Solutions Inc. handled direct mail supporting the Democratic candidates, including approximately $25,000 each for Shah and Vasquez on Oct. 14.
Canary Consulting provided several services opposing Stauber, including $3,030 for mobile billboards and $2,600 for a press conference and tent rental on Oct. 15, $360 for newsletter preparation on Oct. 17, and $895.33 for yard signs and placards on Oct. 21.
You can explore more about this committee's filings at Legis1.com.
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