What Happened?

Not every Senate mailer that landed in your mailboxes in late August came from your Senate candidates, which means they didn't always have a say in what those letters said. Senate Conservatives Action, a national group barred by law from coordinating with the campaigns it helps, reported $742,706 in independent spending for Republican Senate candidates from Jan. 1, 2025, through Monday, Aug. 31, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show.

It is the super political action committee (super PAC) of the Senate Conservatives Fund, which says the super PAC runs ads promoting conservative candidates. A super PAC can raise and spend unlimited sums. Over the same span it reported $1,119,485 in receipts and $1,380,701 in spending, which cut its cash on hand from $674,922 to $413,707.

Why Does It Matter To Me?

If you live in Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Kansas, Alabama or Wyoming, this group has reported spending to help the Republican on your Senate ballot. A Legis1 review of the filings lists its biggest beneficiaries:

Some of that help came as direct mail. The super PAC reported paying Allegiance Direct $28,588 on Thursday, Aug. 27, for mail backing Paxton, and $13,566 apiece on Friday, Aug. 21, for mail backing Moody and Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), the nominee for Wyoming's open seat. Not every dollar went to this year's races: Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) drew a similar sum, though his seat isn't up until 2028.

Both Sides, Now

The Senate Conservatives Fund says it backs candidates who will cut federal spending, enforce immigration laws, ban earmarks, impose term limits and oppose taxpayer funding for abortion. It says it stands up to "the liberals in both parties," and that has put it at odds with Senate Republican leaders.

Texas shows the split. The group endorsed Paxton, while Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the Senate majority leader, and allies of Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) argued a Paxton nomination would hurt Republican chances in November, The Texas Tribune reported. Pro-Cornyn forces outspent Paxton's side by close to nine to one, and Paxton still won the Tuesday, May 26, runoff.

Individual donors gave $1,063,072, including $999,540 from donors who gave more than $200 and are listed by name. The other $50,000 came from committees, and Lummis for Wyoming Inc., the campaign of retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), is listed with a $50,000 contribution. Lummis endorsed Hageman to succeed her in January.

What Happens Next?

The super PAC's September report is due Tuesday, Oct. 20, and a pre-general report covering Oct. 1 through Wednesday, Oct. 14, is due Thursday, Oct. 22, under FEC reporting deadlines. In the final 20 days before the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election, any new independent spending of $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours, so a late push for any of these nominees will surface almost in real time.

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