Defend US PAC spent $13M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026). 0% of the money with a result ended up on the winning side ($0 won, $13M lost).
Outside spending
$13M
On the winning side
0%
$0
On the losing side
$13M
Supporting vs attacking
22% / 78%
$3.0M for, $10M against
Google says Defend US PAC also spent $85K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (1% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Defend US PAC reported $1.4M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- American Exceptionalism Institute, IncCompany / nonprofit$825K (57%)
- Conservative Agenda for AmericaCompany / nonprofit$250K (17%)
- A Public Voice, Inc.Company / nonprofit$120K (8%)
- Affordable Energy Fund PACAnother PAC$95K (7%)
- Leadership for Ohio FundAnother PAC$40K (3%)
- Americans United for ValuesAnother PAC$40K (3%)
- Fund for a Working CongressAnother PAC$35K (2%)
- ReliableCompany / nonprofit$20K (1%)
- Building a Strong AmericaAnother PAC$15K (1%)
- Bowden MurrayIndividual$4K (0%)
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 Race not called yet Result not matched
| Candidate | Race | Spending | Amount | Paid off? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Talarico | Texas Senate | Attacking | $10M | ✗ No |
| Ken Paxton | Texas Senate | Supporting | $2.6M | ✗ No |
| Joshua Logan Mckee | Alabama 1st District (primary) | Supporting | $350K | Unknown |
Questions people ask
- How much did Defend US PAC spend in 2026, and did it win?
- Defend US PAC spent $13M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Republicans (FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026). 0% of the money with a result ended up on the winning side ($0 won, $13M lost).
- Who funds Defend US PAC?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2026 cycle were American Exceptionalism Institute, Inc ($825K), Conservative Agenda for America ($250K), A Public Voice, Inc. ($120K), Affordable Energy Fund PAC ($95K), Leadership for Ohio Fund ($40K), out of $1.4M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Defend US PAC spend the most on in 2026?
- against James Talarico (Texas Senate, $10M, lost); for Ken Paxton (Texas Senate, $2.6M, lost); for Joshua Logan Mckee (Alabama 1st District, $350K, unknown).