Conservative Group Aims to Shrink Cash Gap in Senate Races With $88 Million Campaign

A conservative group linked to the Senate Leadership Fund said it will spend $88 million across six states to boost Republican candidates.

On May 13, One Nation, a 501(c)(4) non-profit based in Haymarket, Virginia, announced its “stop the insanity” advertising campaign. The drive will boost Republican campaigns in Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

In a press release, Steven Law, the president and CEO of One Nation, said the campaign will focus on immigration and inflation.

“President Joe Biden and liberals in Congress have enacted policies that are hurting our country, and it’s time to tell them to stop the insanity,” Mr. Law said in a statement. “There are solutions to these problems, but liberals in Washington, DC aren’t listening.”

One Nation’s effort will include cable and broadcast television campaigns as well as radio and digital advertisements. Mailers will also be sent.

One Nation is a major financial contributor to the Senate Leadership Fund, which is led by Mr. Law. According to the Federal election Commission, One Nation sent the Senate Leadership Fund $2 million in March and about $5.2 million in December 2023.

As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, One Nation is not required to disclose its donors or report with the same regularity as an FEC-regulated committee. For this reason, this kind of group is often called a dark money organization.

In terms of total spending, Ohio will get the most attention. One Nation said it will spend $28.6 million there. Its campaign will debut in the Buckeye State on May 22.

In Ohio, the race is between Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and businessman Bernie Moreno. When the contestants’ principal campaign committees last reported to the FEC, Mr. Brown’s campaign held nearly nine times more cash on hand than Mr. Moreno’s.

One Nation is also spending big in Pennsylvania and Montana. It’s committing $18.6 million to the Keystone State and $17.9 million to the Treasure State.

Like Ohio, the Democratic Party’s incumbent candidate enjoys a significant cash advantage in both races.

When it last reported to the FEC, Sen. Bob Casey’s (D-Pa.) principal campaign committee said it had about $11.9 million in cash on hand on April 3. Republican challenger Dave McCormick, who Pennsylvania’s GOP primary in April, had about $6.2 million.

Montana will select its Republican Senate hopeful on June 4. Businessman Tim Sheehy is the current frontrunner to challenge Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in November. One Nation’s campaign will start on June 18 in Pennsylvania.

According to the FEC, Mr. Tester’s principal campaign committee held about $12.7 million in cash on hand at the end of March, while Mr. Sheehy’s committee reported about $2 million.

One Nation will spend less across Michigan, where it will commit $9.4 million. It will also commit $7.5 million to Wisconsin and $5.9 million to Nevada.

In Michigan, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is not seeking reelection after three terms in the upper chamber. The Great Lakes State will select its Democratic and Republican candidates on August 6.

In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) is most likely to square off against businessman Eric Hovde. The state will hold its partisan primary on August 13.

When Ms. Baldwin’s principal campaign committee last reported to the FEC, it said it retained $10.3 million in cash on hand at the end of March. Mr. Hovde’s committee said it had about $5.3 million in cash on hand.

In Nevada, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) is likely to go against businessman Sam Brown in November. The Silver State will hold its primary on June 11.

Ms. Rosen’s principal campaign committee told the FEC it banked about $13.2 million in cash on hand at the end of March. Meanwhile, Mr. Brown’s committee said it had $2.3 million in cash on hand.