From Ballotpedia | FreedomWorks for America | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | Super PAC |
| Affiliation: | Republican |
| Year founded: | 2011 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Super PACs |
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FreedomWorks for America (FWFA) is a conservative super PAC that aims to "elect candidates who fight for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom," according to its website. FWFA is affiliated with FreedomWorks, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The group is headquartered in Washington, D.C.[1][2]
As of July 2017, the website for FreedomWorks for America listed the following mission statement:
| “ | FreedomWorks for America (FWFA) is focused on spearheading bottom-up grassroots campaigns on behalf of candidates who will promote economic freedom.[3][4] | ” |
FreedomWorks for America (FWFA) was founded in 2011 as the super PAC affiliate of FreedomWorks, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that aims to support free enterprise policies and limited government.[5][6]
The super PAC supports conservative candidates, including candidates facing incumbent Republicans who the group considers to be out of step with conservative values and policies. Rather than using radio or television ads, FWFA focuses on grassroots outreach through its network of volunteers.[3]
FWFA spent $460,596 through independent expenditures during the 2016 election cycle. Of the total expenditures, $457,891 supported Republicans and $2,705 opposed Republicans.[7]
The following table describes FWFA's top 2016 independent expenditures by candidate:
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Position | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Huelskamp | Kan. | U.S. House | Support | $97,058 | |
| Mike Lee | Utah | U.S. Senate | Support | $92,843 | |
| Dave Brat | Va. | U.S. House | Support | $60,584 | |
| Mark Meadows | N.C. | U.S. House | Support | $56,302 | |
| Rod Blum | Iowa | U.S. House | Support | $48,184 | |
| Thomas Massie | Ky. | U.S. House | Support | $35,731 | |
| George Holding | N.C. | U.S. House | Support | $26,919 | |
| Walter Jones | N.C. | U.S. House | Support | $16,133 | |
| Mike Crane | Ga. | U.S. House | Support | $6,842 | |
| Ron DeSantis | Fla. | U.S. House | Support | $6,118 |
FWFA spent $1,729,870 through independent expenditures during the 2014 election cycle. Of the total expenditures, $1,178,320 supported Republicans, $315,678 opposed Republicans, $1,435 supported Democrats, and $223,685 opposed Democrats.[7]
FWFA endorsed tea party Republican Katrina Pierson over incumbent Republican Pete Sessions in the 2014 race for Texas' 32nd Congressional District.[8]
"Katrina Pierson has led the fight to elect principled conservatives across the state of Texas for years. While incumbent Rep. Pete Sessions seems more concerned with keeping his seat at the leadership table, Katrina understands the importance of connecting to the grassroots at home and sticking to your guns in Washington," said then FWFA President Matt Kibbe in a statement. "She is the clear choice for voters who want a strong leader who will fight both the Republicans and Democrats in Washington who continue to spend money we don't have."[8]
Pierson lost in the Republican primary on March 4, 2014.[9]
FWFA spent $19,636,548 through independent expenditures during the 2012 elections. Of the total expenditures, $42,870 supported Democrats, $7,079,203 opposed Democrats, $11,096,487 supported Republicans, and $1,417,988 opposed Republicans.[10]
FWFA endorsed nearly 600 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the presidency during the the 2012 elections. The following table describes a sample of the group's 2012 independent expenditures by candidate:[10][11]
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Position | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connie Mack | Florida | U.S. Senate | Support | $1,874,246 | |
| Richard Mourdock | Indiana | U.S. Senate | Support | $1,665,105 | |
| Josh Mandel | Ohio | U.S. Senate | Support | 1,534,975 | |
| Jeff Flake | Arizona | U.S. Senate | Support | $1,087,627 | |
| Tom Smith | Pennsylvania | U.S. Senate | Support | $722,048 | |
| Jeff Landry | Louisiana | Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District | Support | $691,151 | |
| George Allen | Virginia | U.S. Senate | Support | $522,683 | |
| Ted Cruz | Texas | U.S. Senate | Support | $481,322 | |
| Joe Walsh | Illinois | Illinois' 8th Congressional District | Support | $357,164 | |
| Ann Marie Buerkle | New York | New York's 25th Congressional District | Support | $293,448 | |
| Orrin Hatch | Utah | U.S. Senate | Oppose | $945,373 | |
| Bob Casey | Pennsylvania | U.S. Senate | Oppose | $759,473 | |
| Joe Donnelly | Indiana | U.S. Senate | Oppose | $755,545 | |
| Barack Obama | -- | President | Oppose | $621,913 | |
| Richard Lugar | Indiana | U.S. Senate | Oppose | $335,099 | |
| Dan Maffei | New York | New York's 4th Congressional District | Oppose | $115,060 | |
| Jim Matheson | Louisiana | Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District | Oppose | $110,273 | |
| Charles Boustany Jr. | New York | New York's 24th Congressional District | Oppose | $103,769 | |
| Lois Frankel | Florida | Florida's 22nd Congressional District | Oppose | $80,625 | |
| Jon Tester | Montana | U.S. Senate | Oppose | $71,204 |
The following table identifies FreedomWorks for America's (FWFA) annual federal receipts and disbursements according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission:
| Annual federal receipts and disbursements for FWFA, 2010-2014 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Total receipts | Total disbursements |
| 2016[12] | $358,617 | $655,958 |
| 2015[13] | $449,418 | $496,694 |
| 2014[14] | $2,975,100 | $3,152,991 |
| 2013[15] | $847,243 | $1,083,260 |
| 2012[16] | $20,847,893 | $22,007,043 |
| 2011[17] | $2,605,304 | $614,923 |
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