Better Future Mi Fund spent $12M 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, 0% ended up on the winning side ($0 won, $12M lost).
Outside spending
$12M
On the winning side
0%
$0
On the losing side
$12M
Supporting vs attacking
4% / 96%
$465K for, $11M against
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Better Future Mi Fund reported $13M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- Ken GriffinIndividual$4.0M (31%)
- Patrick Ryan Sr.Individual$1.5M (12%)
- Larry EllisonIndividual$1.0M (8%)
- Stephen SchwarzmanIndividual$1.0M (8%)
- Paul SingerIndividual$500K (4%)
- John ChildsIndividual$500K (4%)
- Bernie MarcusIndividual$400K (3%)
- Daniel LoebIndividual$350K (3%)
- William OberndorfIndividual$250K (2%)
- Daniel DevosIndividual$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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Peters | Michigan Senate | Attacking | $9.6M | ✗ No |
| Gary Peters | Michigan Senate (primary) | Attacking | $1.5M | ✗ No |
| John James | Michigan Senate | Supporting | $465K | ✗ No |
Questions people ask
- How much did Better Future Mi Fund spend in 2020, and did it win?
- Better Future Mi Fund spent $12M 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, 0% ended up on the winning side ($0 won, $12M lost).
- Who funds Better Future Mi Fund?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2020 cycle were Ken Griffin ($4.0M), Patrick Ryan Sr. ($1.5M), Larry Ellison ($1.0M), Stephen Schwarzman ($1.0M), Paul Singer ($500K), out of $13M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Better Future Mi Fund spend the most on in 2020?
- against Gary Peters (Michigan Senate, $9.6M, lost); against Gary Peters (Michigan Senate, $1.5M, lost); for John James (Michigan Senate, $465K, lost).