Freedomworks for America spent $2.6M on independent expenditures in the 2020 federal elections, and 97% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2020). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 25% ended up on the winning side ($649K won, $2.0M lost).
Outside spending
$2.6M
On the winning side
25%
$649K
On the losing side
$2.0M
Supporting vs attacking
91% / 9%
$2.4M for, $242K against
Google says Freedomworks for America also spent $73K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (3% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Freedomworks for America reported $3.7M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- Richard UihleinIndividual$575K (15%)
- Celebrate Life Trust (Richard Stephenson Grantor)Company / nonprofit$550K (15%)
- John ChildsIndividual$325K (9%)
- Freedomworks IncCompany / nonprofit$250K (7%)
- Harlan CrowIndividual$125K (3%)
- Edward HeilIndividual$100K (3%)
- Alwal MooreIndividual$75K (2%)
- Mary Elizabeth WeissIndividual$60K (2%)
- Joanne OrrIndividual$50K (1%)
- Richard WeissIndividual$50K (1%)
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David A. Perdue | Georgia Senate | Supporting | $719K | ✗ No |
| Kelly Loeffler | Georgia Senate (special) | Supporting | $719K | ✗ No |
| Joe Biden | President | Attacking | $204K | ✗ No |
| John James | Michigan Senate | Supporting | $152K | ✗ No |
| Steve Daines | Montana Senate | Supporting | $128K | ✓ Yes |
| Donald Trump | President | Supporting | $101K | ✗ No |
| Joe Biden | President | Supporting | $75K | ✓ Yes |
| Joni Ernst | Iowa Senate | Supporting | $65K | ✓ Yes |
| David Schweikert | Arizona 6th District | Supporting | $41K | ✓ Yes |
| Thomas Massie | Kentucky 4th District (primary) | Supporting | $35K | ✓ Yes |
| Chip Roy | Texas 21st District | Supporting | $32K | ✓ Yes |
| Matt Rosendale | Montana at-large House seat | Supporting | $31K | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did Freedomworks for America spend in 2020, and did it win?
- Freedomworks for America spent $2.6M on independent expenditures in the 2020 federal elections, and 97% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Dec 31, 2020). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 25% ended up on the winning side ($649K won, $2.0M lost).
- Who funds Freedomworks for America?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2020 cycle were Richard Uihlein ($575K), Celebrate Life Trust (Richard Stephenson Grantor) ($550K), John Childs ($325K), Freedomworks Inc ($250K), Harlan Crow ($125K), out of $3.7M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Freedomworks for America spend the most on in 2020?
- for David A. Perdue (Georgia Senate, $719K, lost); for Kelly Loeffler (Georgia Senate (special), $719K, lost); against Joe Biden (President, $204K, lost).