Tag Archives: super PAC

Campaign Finance: the money behind the “school choice” voucher scam designed to defund public education

30 Tuesday Jul 2024

Posted by in campaign finance

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Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

243038 07/29/2024 AFC Victory Fund Jeanne Sinquefield PO Box 4947 St Louis MO 63108 Retired Retired 7/24/2024 $25,000.00

C243038 07/29/2024 AFC Victory Fund Rex Sinquefield PO Box 4947 St Louis MO 63108 Retired Retired 7/24/2024 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

From the AFC Victory Fund “8 Day Before Primary Report” at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

What they’re spending all that money on:

Yep, it’s the “school choice” voucher scam designed to defund public education:

Press Release
AFC Announces Launch of Affiliated “AFC Victory Fund” Super PAC
Updated on May 28, 2024 [….]
Dallas, TX – The American Federation for Children is pleased to announce the official launch of AFC Victory Fund, a national Super PAC that will take AFC’s work of championing school choice and empowering parents to the next level.

During the 2024 election cycle, AFCVF will be a powerful force in state legislative races nationwide, devoting at least $10 million in support of school choice champions and against opponents.

AFCVF’s mission is to support candidates who prioritize education freedom, enabling families to choose the best education for their children. AFCVF believes every child deserves an education tailored to his or her unique needs and aspirations.

During the 2022 election season, AFC’s political affiliates and allies created a “sonic boom” for school choice. We spent $9 million to ensure parents’ voices were represented and set the stage for another year of historic school choice expansion, winning 277 out of 368 races, a 75% success rate that included the defeat of at least 40 anti-school choice incumbents. [….]

The “Super PAC” contributors, via Open Secrets:

YASS, JEFF BALA CYNWYD, PA Susquehanna International Group 02/21/24 $3,000,000 AFC Victory Fund
YASS, JEFF BALA CYNWYD, PA Susquehanna International Group 09/07/23 $3,000,000 AFC Victory Fund
YASS, JEFF BALA CYNWYD, PA Susquehanna International Group 03/20/24 $1,700,000 AFC Victory Fund

UIHLEIN, RICHARD LAKE BLUFF, IL Uline Inc 01/22/24 $1,000,000 AFC Victory Fund

DEVOS, BETSY GRAND RAPIDS, MI Windquest Group 12/27/23 $500,000 AFC Victory Fund
DEVOS, DICK GRAND RAPIDS, MI Windquest Group 12/27/23 $500,000 AFC Victory Fund

YASS, JEFF BALA CYNWYD, PA Susquehanna International Group 12/15/23 $500,000 AFC Victory Fund
YASS, JEFF BALA CYNWYD, PA Susquehanna International Group 02/23/24 $500,000 AFC Victory Fund

FUTURE OF EDUCATION AUSTIN, TX Future Of Education 01/23/24 $250,000 AFC Victory Fund

HENDRICKSON, BRETT SOUTHLAKE, TX Nokomis Capital 02/05/24 $250,000 AFC Victory Fund

HOCK, STACY A AUSTIN, TX Retired 01/31/24 $200,000 AFC Victory Fund

ARDLEIGH IMPACT CORP SPRINGFIELD, VA Ardleigh Impact Corp 02/09/24 $150,000 AFC Victory Fund

CRANBERG, ALEX PONTE VEDRA, FL Aspect Energy 02/20/24 $125,000 AFC Victory Fund

Club for Growth Action, Club for Growth Action 05/14/24 $100,000 AFC Victory Fund

MARSHALL, E PIERCE JR DALLAS, TX Elevage Capital Management 01/18/24 $100,000 AFC Victory Fund

MIDDLETON, D MAYES II WALLISVILLE, TX State of Texas 01/16/24 $100,000 AFC Victory Fund

RICKETTS, J PETER OMAHA, NE US Senate 02/05/24 $100,000 AFC Victory Fund

HINE, GILBERT CLARENDON SAN ANTONIO, TX Worldwide Facilities 01/17/24 $50,000 AFC Victory Fund

POPOLO, JOSEPH V JR DALLAS, TX Charles & Potomac Capital 12/21/23 $50,000 AFC Victory Fund

WINN, STEPHEN DALLAS, TX Mirasol Capital 02/21/24 $50,000 AFC Victory Fund

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 02/25/24 $40,136 AFC Victory Fund
AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 05/25/24 $29,349 AFC Victory Fund
AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 03/25/24 $27,504 AFC Victory Fund

BRIGHAM, BEN AUSTIN, TX Anthem Ventures 02/23/24 $25,000 AFC Victory Fund

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 04/25/24 $24,691 AFC Victory Fund
AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 06/25/24 $12,911 AFC Victory Fund

BROWN, DALE MIDLAND, TX Moriah Group 02/05/24 $10,000 AFC Victory Fund

LAMY, JAY AUSTIN, TX Aquila Commercial 02/19/24 $10,000 AFC Victory Fund

LONSDALE ENTERPRISES INC LOS ALTOS, CA Lonsdale Enterprises 12/31/23 $10,000 AFC Victory Fund

RYDIN, MICHAEL T HOUSTON, TX Heavy Construction Systems Specialists 02/06/24 $10,000 AFC Victory Fund

WELDON, PETER J WINTER PARK, FL Retired 12/31/23 $10,000 AFC Victory Fund

GREG ABBOTT CAMPAIGN AUSTIN, TX Greg Abbott Campaign 01/22/24 $9,233 AFC Victory Fund

ANGELO JR, ERNEST MIDLAND, TX Petroleum Engineer 02/01/24 $5,000 AFC Victory Fund

HEAD, VIM KATY, TX Retired 02/21/24 $5,000 AFC Victory Fund

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 03/31/24 $3,752 AFC Victory Fund

DAVIS, ROSS M HOUSTON, TX Capital Management Inc 02/09/24 $3,000 AFC Victory Fund

BENNETT VENTURES LP AUSTIN, TX Bennett Ventures Lp 05/20/24 $2,500 AFC Victory Fund

GREG ABBOTT CAMPAIGN AUSTIN, TX Greg Abbott Campaign 03/01/24 $2,350 AFC Victory Fund

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN INC COLUMBIA, MD American Federation for Children 06/30/24 $1,943 AFC Victory Fund

FUSCO, KATHLEEN VERO BEACH, FL Retired 04/20/24 $1,000 AFC Victory Fund

WILKERSON, STACY HOUSTON, TX Retired 01/16/24 $500 AFC Victory Fund

GREG ABBOTT CAMPAIGN AUSTIN, TX Greg Abbott Campaign 05/14/24 $36 AFC Victory Fund

[emphasis added]

And, via the Missouri Ethics Commission AFC Victory Fund “8 Day Before Primary Report” – the Missouri General Assembly primary candidates benefitting from the support AFC Victory Fund or the recipients of attacks from AFC Victory Fund:

What that translates to:

Rick Brattin 22405 South Excelsior Rd Harrisonville MO 64701 State Senate 31 ✔ [support] 7/25/2024 $27,770.39

[emphasis added]

Note the “paid for” disclaimer (lower right):

Interestingly, the subject of the mailers has nothing to do with the “school choice” voucher scam designed to defund public education. That’s not surprising:

Venn Diagram of Right Wingnut Orthodoxy – not complete

Some right wingnuts with money really hate Rick Brattin (r)

25 Monday Jul 2022

Posted by in campaign finance

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Not that we blame them.

The republican primary candidates for the 4th Congressional District:

U.S. Representative – District 4
Republican
Name Mailing Address Random Number Date Filed

Jim (Soupy) Campbell 1228 MEL DOR ACRES CLIMAX SPRINGS MO 65324 180 2/22/2022

Rick Brattin P.O. BOX 920 HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 283 2/22/2022

William (Bill) Irwin PO BOX 383 HARRISONVILLE MO 64701 401 2/22/2022

Mark Alford PO BOX 1634 RAYMORE MO 64083 423 2/22/2022

Kalena Bruce PO BOX 1107 STOCKTON MO 65785 622 2/22/2022

Taylor Burks PO BOX 405 ASHLAND MO 65010 682 2/22/2022

Kyle Stonner LaBrue 4376 SKI DR OSAGE BEACH MO 65065 3/29/2022

[emphasis added]

Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].

We’ve received several mail pieces paid for by a right wingnut Federal Super PAC that attack Rick Brattin (r):

Let’s see, he didn’t support Donald Trump (r) early on. Something, something, China.

Something, something, Communist China.

Something, something, Chinese spies.

Never Trumper, anti-Trump. Something, something, China.

The disclaimer:

Paid for by Missourians for Truth PAC. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. [….]

Who paid for this [via the Federal Election Commission (FEC)]?:

Source information
Name MCDANIEL, CHRIS
City and state BLUE SPRINGS, MO, 64014
Occupation OWNER
Employer HEARTLAND FINANICAL GROUP INC
Year to date $50,000.00
Receipt information
Amount $50,000.00
Receipt date March 4, 2022
Report year 2022
Memo
Reported on Form 3X on line 11AI
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC
Political party
Type Super PAC (Independent Expenditure-Only)
State Missouri

[emphasis added]

Source information
Name LOWE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP LLC
City and state CLINTON, MO, 64735
Occupation
Employer
Year to date $10,000.00
Receipt information
Amount $10,000.00
Receipt date March 31, 2022
Report year 2022
Memo
Reported on Form 3X on line 11AI
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC
Political party
Type Super PAC (Independent Expenditure-Only)
State Missouri

[emphasis added]

Source information
Name WORTH, GAIL
City and state GRANDVIEW, MO, 64030
Occupation OWNER
Employer GAIL POWERSPORTS, INC
Year to date $5,000.00
Receipt information
Amount $5,000.00
Receipt date May 3, 2022
Report year 2022
Memo
Reported on Form 3X on line 11AI
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC
Political party
Type Super PAC (Independent Expenditure-Only)
State Missouri

[emphasis added]

Source information
Name LOWE, MATTHEW
City and state CLINTON, MO, 64735
Occupation VP OF SALES
Employer PLZ CORP
Year to date $5,000.00
Receipt information
Amount $5,000.00
Receipt date June 28, 2022
Report year 2022
Memo
Reported on Form 3X on line 11AI
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC
Political party
Type Super PAC (Independent Expenditure-Only)
State Missouri

[emphasis added]

Source information
Name WETZEL INVESTMENTS LP
City and state CLINTON, MO, 64735
Occupation
Employer
Year to date $1,000.00
Receipt information
Amount $1,000.00
Receipt date March 31, 2022
Report year 2022
Memo
Reported on Form 3X on line 11AI
Election type PRIMARY
Recipient information
Committee MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC
Political party
Type Super PAC (Independent Expenditure-Only)
State Missouri

[emphasis added]

The expenditures by Missourians for Truth PAC:

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Oppose BRATTIN, RICHARD RAY JR. IN-KIND DIRECT MAIL PRINTING AND POSTAGE CATAMARAN CONSULTING 07/22/2022 $12,500.00

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Oppose BRATTIN, RICHARD RAY JR. IN-KIND – DIRECT MAIL PRINTING AND POSTAGE CATAMARAN CONSULTING 07/22/2022 $12,500.00

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Oppose BRATTIN, RICHARD RAY JR. DIRECT MAIL DESIGN AND POSTAGE CATAMARAN CONSULTING 07/22/2022 $4,309.00

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Oppose BRATTIN, RICHARD RAY JR. DIRECT MAIL DESIGN AND POSTAGE CATAMARAN CONSULTING 07/22/2022 $4,309.00

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Support ALFORD, MARK DIRECT MAIL CATAMARAN CONSULTING 07/18/2022 $17,680.00

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Support ALFORD, MARK DIRECT MAIL CATAMARAN CONSULTING 07/11/2022 $22,310.00

MISSOURIANS FOR TRUTH PAC Support ALFORD, MARK DIRECT MAIL CATAMARAN CONSULTING 06/24/2022 $26,315.00

[emphasis added]

Ah, promoting Mark Alford (r):

Mark Alford (r) [May 2022 file photo].

Pass the popcorn.

Koch Money: because Josh Hawley (r) will never need to hold over fifty open public town halls across Missouri

07 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by in Claire McCaskill, Town Hall, US Senate

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We got astroturf (fake grassroots) campaign mail yesterday:

Right wingnut financed “astroturf” (fake grassroots) campaign mail – October 2018.

Who is paying for this?

That’s it?

Wait, hasn’t Senator Claire McCaskill (D) traveled across the state holding over fifty open public town halls? What a great way to remind everyone of that fact. Josh Hawley (r) does have a flatbed truck.

Donald Trump (r) and the republican controlled Congress gave a massive tax break to the top 1%, increasing the national debt by over a trillion dollars. They’ll be coming after Medicare and Social Security next. Hint: If you’re a billionaire you won’t ever need Medicare or Social Security. Raise your hand right now if you’re a billionaire.

This particular piece was paid for by “Americans for Prosperity Action”, a super PAC, using a Jefferson City PO box as a return address:

Koch brothers’ network launches new super PAC
By David Wright, CNN
Updated 1:58 PM ET, Mon September 10, 2018

…Americans for Prosperity, the sprawling Koch political network, announced Monday the launch of a new super PAC arm as the organization gears up for the final stretch of the 2018 midterms.

The new super PAC was described as “a new tool to build broad policy coalitions in Congress to help advance AFP’s vision,” which “will advocate for candidates who share our commitment to breaking internal and external barriers that prevent people from realizing their full potential.”

The super PAC, called “AFP Action,” will operate independently of the network’s preexisting 501(c)(4) nonprofit and with some key advantages.

Per campaign finance laws, the new group will be able to spend unlimited sums on election activities while being subject to some loose disclosure requirements, The nonprofit arm, however, is subject to even looser disclosure requirements but must dedicate a portion of their spending to “social welfare” activities that cannot explicitly target elections.

[….]

“…the new group will be able to spend unlimited sums on election activities while being subject to some loose disclosure requirements…”

So much for transparency.

Anyone think the Koch brothers will ever hold open public town halls in Missouri? Nah, me neither.

Our favorite Roy Blunt (r) commercial

02 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Uncategorized

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There’s a super PAC video of b-roll images of Roy Blunt (r) that’s just awesome. The PAC supports Roy Blunt.

Treacly music.
Lens flare.
Rolled up sleeves.
Slow motion. Jump cuts.
Bugs. Lots of them.
That smile. That grin.
More bugs.
More lens flare.
Unintentionally ironic bus wrap.
More rolled up sleeves.
Bugs on the bus windshield.

Cliché images, without substantive content. That about sums up Roy Blunt (r) in the United States Senate.

Independence USA PAC ad – Chris Koster (D)

11 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Uncategorized

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This ad by the Independence USA PAC (a Super PAC) has been running in the Kansas City media market:

Narrator: President Obama’s clean power plan cuts carbon emissions and creates thousands of jobs. But now, Attorney General Chris Koster is fighting Obama and clean energy. Koster has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from polluters and uses your tax dollars to sue the Obama administration. He wants polluters to be free to pump billions of tons of carbon into the air each year, contributing to asthma and heart disease. Chris Koster puts polluters ahead of the health of Missouri families. [Paid for by Independence USA PAC]

From the Independence USA PAC web site:

INDEPENDENCE USA PAC DEFENDS CLEAN POWER PLAN WITH ADS AIMED AT STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL
Independence USA Will Focus on AGs in Florida, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin Joining Lawsuit Against EPA’s Signature Climate Change Rules

New York, NY, November 6, 2015 — Building on Michael R. Bloomberg’s longstanding commitment to environmental and health issues, and his work with local leaders in the US and around the world on climate change, Independence USA will air ads in Florida, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, which places the nation’s first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants. The ads will focus on Attorneys General Pam Bondi of Florida, Bill Schuette of Michigan, Chris Koster of Missouri, and Brad Schimel of Wisconsin, who have joined a federal lawsuit initiated by the State of West Virginia to block the Clean Power Plan. Independence USA PAC was created and is funded by Michael R. Bloomberg.

The ads released today, totaling an 8 figure buy across the 4 states, build on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ commitment of over $100 million to support national, regional, and state-based groups helping state governments implement the Clean Power Plan, as well as the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign. Beyond Coal, which aims to secure the retirement of half the nation’s coal fleet, has already led to the closure or phasing out 205 coal-fired power plants and helped prevent more than 5,500 premature deaths per year….

It’s not like any of the 2016 republican gubernatorial candidates are better on this issue.