Security Is Strength PAC spent $14M on independent expenditures in the 2020 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2020). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 94% ended up on the winning side ($13M won, $776K lost).
Outside spending
$14M
On the winning side
94%
$13M
On the losing side
$776K
Supporting vs attacking
30% / 70%
$4.1M for, $9.6M against
Google says Security Is Strength PAC also spent $309K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (2% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Security Is Strength PAC reported $15M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- American Exceptionalism Institute Inc.Company / nonprofit$2.5M (17%)
- The Government Integrity FundCompany / nonprofit$1.9M (13%)
- Patrick Ryan Sr.Individual$1.0M (7%)
- Miriam AdelsonIndividual$500K (3%)
- Sheldon AdelsonIndividual$500K (3%)
- Saul FoxIndividual$310K (2%)
- Frank VanderslootIndividual$300K (2%)
- Annette SimmonsIndividual$300K (2%)
- Laura PerlmutterIndividual$250K (2%)
- Lawrence EllisonIndividual$250K (2%)
Where the money went
Biggest targets, with whether each one paid off.
✓ Backed the winner or attacked the loser ✗ Backed the loser or attacked the winner Result not matched
| Candidate | Race | Spending | Amount | Paid off? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaime Harrison | South Carolina Senate | Attacking | $8.8M | ✓ Yes |
| Lindsey Graham | South Carolina Senate | Supporting | $4.1M | ✓ Yes |
| Jaime Harrison | South Carolina Senate (primary) | Attacking | $776K | ✗ No |
| Lindsey Graham | South Carolina Senate (primary) | Supporting | $23K | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did Security Is Strength PAC spend in 2020, and did it win?
- Security Is Strength PAC spent $14M on independent expenditures in the 2020 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2020). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 94% ended up on the winning side ($13M won, $776K lost).
- Who funds Security Is Strength PAC?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2020 cycle were American Exceptionalism Institute Inc. ($2.5M), The Government Integrity Fund ($1.9M), Patrick Ryan Sr. ($1.0M), Miriam Adelson ($500K), Sheldon Adelson ($500K), out of $15M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Security Is Strength PAC spend the most on in 2020?
- against Jaime Harrison (South Carolina Senate, $8.8M, won); for Lindsey Graham (South Carolina Senate, $4.1M, won); against Jaime Harrison (South Carolina Senate, $776K, lost).