Why It Matters

WINSENATE, a Democratic super PAC operated by Senate Majority PAC, is pouring millions of dollars into Senate races across the country, primarily attacking Republican candidates in some of the tightest races. Advertisements are focusing on health care, abortion, energy and consumer costs, corporate influence, environmental issues, and candidates' ties to President Donald Trump.

Senate Majority PAC's stated mission is to elect Democrats to the U.S. Senate. WinSenate is an independent expenditure-only committee, commonly known as a super PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited sums to support or oppose candidates but cannot coordinate its independent expenditures with candidates or their campaigns.

What It Spent

Through Aug. 31, WinSenate reported receiving approximately $21.1 million during the election cycle, all from Senate Majority PAC. It reported nearly $12.5 million in independent expenditures through that date, before a series of multimillion-dollar September advertising campaigns substantially increased its spending.

Those expenditures are part of a broader Senate Majority PAC operation. During the 2024 election cycle, WinSenate received and spent approximately $313.1 million, with nearly all of its funding coming from Senate Majority PAC. It spent approximately $311.3 million on independent expenditures that cycle, overwhelmingly opposing Republican Senate candidates.

Where the Money Went

WinSenate's September spending has focused on general-election contests in North Carolina, Ohio, Maine, Iowa, and New Hampshire.

In North Carolina, WinSenate has targeted Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee facing former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper for the open seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). WinSenate's advertising has attacked Whatley's previous work as an energy lobbyist, his investments in energy companies, and his positions on energy costs and the war in Iran.

In Ohio, the group is opposing Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who faces former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a special election for the seat Husted was appointed to after JD Vance became vice president. WinSenate has focused heavily on Husted's ties to FirstEnergy and his involvement with legislation benefiting the company during the corruption scandal surrounding Ohio's nuclear power plant bailout. Husted has not been charged with or accused of wrongdoing in the FirstEnergy criminal case.

In Maine, WinSenate is opposing Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who faces Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate. The group has also spent money supporting Jackson. Its advertising has focused on Collins' votes on Medicaid and health care, her support for Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, abortion rights, immigration enforcement, and the war in Iran.

In Iowa, WinSenate is opposing Ashley Hinson, who faces Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek for the open seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). WinSenate's advertisements have focused on Hinson's corporate campaign contributions and her environmental voting record, particularly on water pollution, PFAS chemicals, and Iowa's cancer rates.

In New Hampshire, WinSenate is targeting former Sen. John E. Sununu, who faces Rep. Chris Pappas in the race to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Its advertising has focused on Sununu's post-Senate lobbying work, investments, and connections to the pharmaceutical and energy industries, tying those issues to prescription drug and fuel costs.

WinSenate has also spent against Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), who faces former Rep. Mary Peltola and two Republican candidates in Alaska's ranked-choice general election.

Who Funds It

WinSenate's funding comes from Senate Majority PAC (SMP). Through Aug. 31, WinSenate reported approximately $21.1 million in receipts during the election cycle, all from SMP.

Senate Majority PAC itself is funded by large donors and affiliated organizations. Its major contributors this cycle have included Majority Forward, an affiliated 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, as well as Democracy PAC and other large donors. Because Majority Forward is a nonprofit that is not required to publicly disclose all of its donors, some of the original sources of money entering the broader Senate Majority PAC network are not publicly identifiable.

The Ad Spend

WinSenate's September filings and announced advertising campaigns show its spending increasing as the general election approaches.

On Sept. 8, WinSenate launched a $2.1 million television and digital campaign in Maine contrasting Jackson's record on expanding health care coverage with Collins' votes on Medicaid. In total, the Super PAC has reported spending $4.3 million against Collins and in support of Jackson. The group also launched a $2.5 million advertising campaign that day against Hinson in Iowa focused on water pollution, corporate contributions and cancer.

In Ohio, WinSenate launched additional advertising against Husted focused on FirstEnergy and energy costs, including a statewide television and digital campaign released Sept. 14. It subsequently announced a $6 million television and digital campaign centered on Husted's relationship with FirstEnergy.

In North Carolina, WinSenate announced a $5 million television campaign against Whatley focused on his previous lobbying work for energy companies, energy investments and utility and gasoline prices.

In New Hampshire, the group launched advertising against Sununu focused on his lobbying career and ties to pharmaceutical and energy companies, including a $1.8 million television, digital and streaming campaign announced Sept. 16.

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