What Happened?

A new political group called Buckeyes PAC spent $2 million on television ads attacking former Sen. Sherrod Brown on immigration in Ohio's U.S. Senate special election. The group filed its spending with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the agency that tracks money in federal campaigns. ​

It registered with the FEC on Sept. 8 and launched its ads shortly after, spending nearly its entire $2.01 million in receipts on a single television buy through Oct. 14.

The race pits Brown, a Democrat who lost his Senate seat to Republican Bernie Moreno, against Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who was appointed to succeed JD Vance.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

Buckeyes PAC poured nearly every dollar it raised into one ad buy, leaving just $4,975 in cash on hand through Oct. 14, less than one-quarter of one percent of its total receipts.

The ads focused on immigration and noncitizen voting, and one ad accused Brown of supporting illegal voting, a charge his campaign asked stations to pull. Reuters reported that the PAC shares a treasurer with a pro-Trump super PAC, suggesting ties to Republican political operations, though no common donors or coordination were established.

Both Sides, Now

On Sept. 25, Cincinnati's Local 12 TV reported that the Buckeyes PAC acknowledged the bill cited in its ad did not allow illegal voting, but it kept defending its characterization of Brown's position. Cleveland.com fact-checked the PAC's immigration claims, examining allegations that Brown voted to let undocumented immigrants vote, opposed deporting violent felons, and supported giving Social Security benefits to people in the country illegally.

What Happens Next?

Buckeyes PAC's $2 million is a small fraction of the outside money in the race: the Senate Leadership Fund spent $68.22 million opposing Brown, more than 34 times what Buckeyes PAC spent, and WinSenate spent $44.81 million opposing Husted.

The Ohio Senate special election is rated a toss-up. The FEC requires super PACs to file updated financial reports on a regular schedule, so voters will be able to see whether Buckeyes PAC raises and spends additional money before Election Day. Will the flood of outside spending on both sides ultimately move voters, or cancel itself out?

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