The 1861 Initiative spent $4.1M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings with varying coverage dates; the most common larger-campaign cutoff is Oct 14, 2026). Among dollars with a matched election-stage result, 100% were on the winning side ($1.9M won, $0 lost). $2.2M had no matched result and is excluded.
Outside spending
$4.1M
Winning share of scored dollars
100%
$1.9M scored (45% of spending); $2.2M unknown
On the losing side
$0
Supporting vs attacking
55% / 45%
$2.2M for, $1.9M against
Google says The 1861 Initiative also spent $615K on Google and YouTube ads this cycle (15% of its FEC-reported outside spending). All ad buyers →
Follow the money
Who filled the envelope
The donor records in this snapshot trace $2.8M to The 1861 Initiative. This is incomplete funding coverage; percentages below refer only to these traced gifts. The allocation denominator is $4.7M.
- Western Futures FundCompany / nonprofit$2.0M (72%)
- Global Impact Social Welfare FundCompany / nonprofit$300K (11%)
- Government That Works PACCompany / nonprofit$250K (9%)
- Way Back PACAnother PAC$200K (7%)
- Progressive Vet PACAnother PAC$48K (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 Race not called yet Result not matched
| Candidate | Race | Spending | Amount | Paid off? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Taylor | Kansas Senate (primary) | Supporting | $2.2M | Unknown |
| Roger Marshall | Kansas Senate | Attacking | $1.9M | ✓ Yes |
Questions people ask
- How much did The 1861 Initiative spend in 2026, and did it win?
- The 1861 Initiative spent $4.1M on independent expenditures in the 2026 federal elections, and 100% of it helped Democrats (FEC filings with varying coverage dates; the most common larger-campaign cutoff is Oct 14, 2026). Among dollars with a matched election-stage result, 100% were on the winning side ($1.9M won, $0 lost). $2.2M had no matched result and is excluded.
- Who funds The 1861 Initiative?
- Its biggest reported donors in the 2026 cycle were Western Futures Fund ($2.0M), Global Impact Social Welfare Fund ($300K), Government That Works PAC ($250K), Way Back PAC ($200K), Progressive Vet PAC ($48K), out of $2.8M received from donors tracked here.
- Which candidates did The 1861 Initiative spend the most on in 2026?
- for Noah Taylor (Kansas Senate, $2.2M, unknown); against Roger Marshall (Kansas Senate, $1.9M, won).