What Happened?

The Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes PAC has committed approximately $1.02 million in independent expenditures to support Scott Wiener in California's open-seat 11th Congressional District, making it the committee's single largest spending target this cycle. Legis1 reports that nearly 78 percent of the Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes PAC's roughly $1.31 million in reported independent expenditures went to supporting Scott Wiener. ​

The Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes PAC is affiliated with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a national LGBTQ advocacy organization. The PAC announced Oct. 22 a $1 million digital and mail campaign reaching roughly 400,000 voters in the district across connected television, streaming audio, social media, and digital pre-roll platforms.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

This race will fill the San Francisco seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and outside groups have poured millions into it. The HRC PAC's roughly $1.02 million supporting Wiener is not the largest outside investment in his candidacy: Abundant Future has reported $1.88 million supporting him, and GrowUSA has reported $1.45 million. On the other side, SF for All has reported approximately $1.14 million supporting his opponent, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan.

The HRC PAC's funding is heavily concentrated in a single donor: former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $1 million, while the next-largest individual contributors, James Costos and Morgan W. Cox III, each gave $2,500. That contribution amounts to about 98 percent of the committee's reported $1.02 million in receipts through Oct. 14.

Both Sides, Now

Wiener and Chan are both Democrats, making the Nov. 3 general election a contest within San Francisco's Democratic coalition rather than a partisan race. The HRC PAC backs Wiener on his LGBTQ rights record, housing work, and health care positions.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution opposing California Senate Bill 50 unless it is amended, saying the bill "would undermine community participation in planning" and risk displacement.

What Happens Next?

Voters in California's 11th Congressional District will choose between Wiener and Chan on Nov. 3. The reported totals still need to be checked against the original and amended independent-expenditure notices filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

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