Palmetto Action spent $7.5M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 89% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 83% ended up on the winning side ($3.6M won, $733K lost).
Outside spending
$7.5M
On the winning side
83%
$3.6M
On the losing side
$733K
Supporting vs attacking
10% / 90%
$790K for, $6.7M against
Google says Palmetto Action also spent $1.1M on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (15% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
Palmetto Action reported $4.7M in gifts from people, companies, nonprofits and other PACs. The biggest are below.
- Conservative Americans PACAnother PAC$2.5M (53%)
- Gopac Election FundAnother PAC$1.2M (26%)
- Aibff Inc.Company / nonprofit$500K (11%)
- Larry MizelIndividual$200K (4%)
- Marc RowanIndividual$200K (4%)
- Michael KassenIndividual$50K (1%)
- Todd PlattIndividual$25K (1%)
- David VeederIndividual$5K (0%)
- Harlan KorenvaesIndividual$5K (0%)
- Frank RischIndividual$5K (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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Lynch | South Carolina Senate (primary) | Attacking | $3.5M | ✓ Yes |
| Ralph Norman | South Carolina Senate | Attacking | $3.2M | Unknown |
| Darline Graham | South Carolina Senate | Supporting | $711K | ✗ No |
| Darline Graham | South Carolina Senate (primary) | Supporting | $78K | ✓ Yes |
| Annie Andrews | South Carolina Senate | Attacking | $22K | ✗ No |
Questions people ask
- How much did Palmetto Action spend in 2026, and did it win?
- Palmetto Action spent $7.5M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 89% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings through Oct 14, 2026). Counting dollars, not candidates, and only races already called, 83% ended up on the winning side ($3.6M won, $733K lost).
- Who funds Palmetto Action?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2026 cycle were Conservative Americans PAC ($2.5M), Gopac Election Fund ($1.2M), Aibff Inc. ($500K), Larry Mizel ($200K), Marc Rowan ($200K), out of $4.7M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did Palmetto Action spend the most on in 2026?
- against Mark Lynch (South Carolina Senate, $3.5M, won); against Ralph Norman (South Carolina Senate, $3.2M, unknown); for Darline Graham (South Carolina Senate, $711K, lost).