Restoration of America PAC

The House Majority PAC, a Democratic-aligned political action committee, has allocated nearly $284 million in television and digital ad reservations for the 2026 midterm elections, targeting approximately 70 media markets. This level of spending underscores the PAC's strategy to expand the number of competitive congressional races, with nearly 80% of its reservations focused on offensive districts. As of June 30, the PAC had received around $123.6 million for the 2026 cycle, with a significant portion coming from its affiliated nonprofit, House Majority Forward, which promotes economic growth, social justice, and democratic values. Major contributors include Connie Ballmer, George M. Marcus, and Fred Eychaner, all prominent Democratic donors. The House Majority PAC was established in April 2011 by Alixandria Lapp, a former official of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in response to the high spending by conservative groups during the 2010 midterm elections. The PAC operates as a "Carey committee," allowing it to function both as a traditional PAC and a super PAC. This dual structure enables it to make independent expenditures while also contributing directly to candidate campaigns. Abby Curran Horrell served as executive director until April 2019, when she was succeeded by Mike Smith, who took over as president in January 2023 following Lapp’s departure. In the 2024 election cycle, the House Majority PAC raised approximately $260.5 million and spent the vast majority, $195.7 million, on independent expenditures, primarily in the form of advertisements advocating for or against federal candidates. Additionally, the PAC contributed $530,625 directly to federal candidates. The PAC has also demonstrated its willingness to exceed its fundraising totals, having already spent about $961,000 in late 2025 on efforts to influence the special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Despite this investment, Republican Matthew Van Epps, a military veteran, ultimately defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn in that contest. On the opposing side, the Restoration of America PAC, a conservative-aligned super PAC, has spent over $91.3 million in the 2024 cycle, with nearly $43 million dedicated to independent expenditures. Much of this spending targeted then-Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, as part of broader efforts to counter her presidential campaign. The PAC, originally founded in 2015, operates under the leadership of Doug Truax, a West Point graduate and Army veteran who previously ran for the U.S. Senate in Illinois. The group functions as an umbrella organization encompassing multiple entities, including two 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all aligned with promoting conservative principles such as limited government and economic freedom. Richard Uihlein, the billionaire CEO of Uline, stands out as the largest donor to the Restoration of America PAC, contributing over $80 million in the 2024 cycle and more than $57 million from January 2025 to June 2026. As of June 30, the PAC had received nearly $60.8 million in total contributions. While much of its spending has gone toward supporting other conservative groups, the PAC also invested over $1.6 million in television ads to support Republican Nate Morris' Senate bid in Kentucky. Although Morris eventually suspended his campaign at President Donald Trump's request and endorsed Rep. Andy Barr, Trump later nominated Morris to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Colombia. Both the House Majority PAC and the Restoration of America PAC have demonstrated substantial financial commitments ahead of the 2026 midterms, reflecting the growing intensity of partisan competition in congressional races. With each PAC focusing on different ideological priorities and strategic goals, their actions highlight the increasing role of outside spending in shaping electoral outcomes. As the election cycle progresses, the impact of these investments will likely continue to shape the political landscape.