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    America First Action

    From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 5 min
    America First Action
    America First Action.jpg
    Basic facts
    Type:Super PAC
    Top official:Linda McMahon
    Year founded:2017
    Website:Official website

    America First Action is a super PAC dedicated to supporting federal candidates who back the policy agenda of President Donald Trump (R).[1] The organization was founded in April 2017 and is affiliated with the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization America First Policies.

    The super PAC announced in May 2019 that it planned to spend $250 million in six battleground states to support Trump's reelection campaign.[2] The group spent more than $40 million in August and September 2020 on advertising in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.[3][4]

    Mission[edit]

    As of September 2020, America First Action's website featured the following mission:[5]

    “

    America First Action SuperPAC is committed to creating an America where prosperity, safety and strength reign. Where hard working people like you lead the charge with grit, determination and pride. Together, we continue to forge an America where opportunities are boundless – a first place America where we ALL win.[6]

    		”

    Background[edit]

    America First Action was founded in April 2017 as an affiliated super PAC of the nonprofit organization America First Policies. Brad Parscale, Trump's digital and data director at the time, said, "Some of the same like-minded individuals who put their energy into getting Mr. Trump elected are now going to be part of a grass-roots group to go out there and help with the agenda, help the White House to be successful."[7]

    Political activity[edit]

    Presidential election, 2020[edit]

    See also: Presidential election, 2020

    In May 2019, America First Action communications director Kelly Salder said the super PAC planned to spend $250 million on six battleground states—Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—to support Trump's reelection campaign. “We’re going to alleviate the burden on these six states that are must wins. They are the quickest path to the Electoral College,” Sadler said.[2]

    The group began spending in the general election in April 2020 with a $10 million ad buy in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The digital, cable, broadcast, and mail campaign was focused on former Vice President Joe Biden's record on China.[8] In the following month, America First spent $7.5 million in the same trio of states with ads focused on attacking Biden's economic policies.[9]

    America First Action announced a summer ad buy in July 2020 worth $23 million. The targeted states included Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The ads were scheduled to run from July 24 to Labor Day.[10]

    At the end of August 2020, America First Action made an $18.6 million ad buy in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It announced a second fall ad buy worth $22 million in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on September 10, 2020. This campaign focused on the economy, law enforcement, and protests.[3][4]

    Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District special election, 2018[edit]

    See also: Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District special election, 2018

    Politico reported in February 2018, that America First Action was purchasing $1 million in ad time supporting Republican candidate Rick Saccone in the March 13, 2018 special election.[11] Saccone unsuccessfully ran against Democrat Conor Lamb in the race to replace Rep. Tim Murphy (R). Murphy announced his resignation in October 2017, following reports that he encouraged a woman with whom he had an extramarital affair to have an abortion.[12]

    U.S. Senate election in Alabama, 2017[edit]

    See also: United States Senate special election in Alabama, 2017

    In August 2017, America First Action launched at $200,000 digital campaign to support Luther Strange (R) in his campaign to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions (R) when Sessions was appointed attorney general. A spokesperson for the super PAC explained the organization's support for Strange—who had already been endorsed by Trump—saying, "As the pro-Trump super PAC, we are proud to join the president in supporting the candidacy of Sen. Luther Strange, a tireless public servant and defender of the First and Second Amendment rights of his fellow Alabamians. ... Sen. Strange has already proven himself to be the best possible candidate in this race to stand beside our president and make America great again."[13] Strange lost the Republican primary runoff in September 2017.

    Republican tax plan advertising, November 2017[edit]

    In November 2017, as congressional Republicans were unveiling their proposals to change the federal tax code, America First Action announced that it intended to launch a $100 million advertising campaign in support of those efforts. The organization's president, Brian Walsh, said in a statement, "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass strong, bold tax reform for the American people. ... Failure is not an option and America First is committed to mobilizing grassroots supporters behind President Trump’s commitment to the middle class."[14]

    According to Bloomberg, the ads were scheduled to run the first week in November on Fox News and target the districts of the following representatives:[15]

    Fundraising meeting, October 2017[edit]

    In October 2017, America First Action met at the ranch of oil industry executive T. Boone Pickens to strategize fundraising and satellite spending for the 2018 midterm elections. According to an October 2017 report in Politico:[16]

    “ Republican businessmen Roy Bailey and Tommy Hicks, will lay out plans to raise money for the Trump-aligned America First Action super PAC. Bailey is spearheading an effort to establish a fundraising committee for the super PAC. Those involved in the group include energy executive Harold Hamm, real estate investor Jim Wilson, businessman Doug Deason and investor Jim Lee.[6] ”

    Media[edit]

    The following videos are samples of media produced by America First Action:

    "Kimberly" - America First Action ad, released September 21, 2020
    "Guess What" - America First Action ad, released September 9, 2020
    "Promises" - America First Action ad, released September 9, 2020

    Leadership[edit]

    As of September 2020, the leadership of America First Action included the following individuals:[17]

    Legal status[edit]

    America First Action is a super PAC. A super PAC is a political committee that can solicit and spend unlimited sums of money. A super PAC cannot contribute directly to a politician or political party, but it can spend independently to campaign for or against political figures. These committees are also called independent expenditure-only committees. A super PAC is not legally considered a political action committee (PAC) and as such is regulated under separate rules.[18][19]

    See also[edit]

    External links[edit]

    Footnotes[edit]

    1. ↑ Facebook, "America First Action," accessed September 22, 2020
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Hill, "Pro-Trump group plans to spend $250M in six battleground states," May 19, 2020
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 America First Action, "America First Action Announces $22 Million Spend in Battleground States," September 10, 2020
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 America First Action, "America First Action Announces $18.6 Million Spend in Battleground States," August 26, 2020
    5. ↑ America First Action, "Home," accessed September 22, 2020
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    7. ↑ NPR, "Trump Political Advisers Now Raising Money For His 'America First' Agenda," January 31, 2017
    8. ↑ America First Action, "America First Action PAC unleashes Beijing Biden Ads in WI, MI and PA," April 16, 2020
    9. ↑ America First Action, "America First Action PAC Announces $7.5M Ad Buy in Battleground States," May 29, 2020
    10. ↑ America First Action Announces $23M Summer Buy," July 13, 2020
    11. ↑ Politico, "Trump super PAC to spend $1 million in Pennsylvania special election," February 22, 2018
    12. ↑ The New York Times, "Conservative Pennsylvania congressman resigns amid abortion scandal," October 5, 2017
    13. ↑ Politico, "Pro-Trump super PAC launches last second effort for Alabama Sen. Strange," August 11, 2017
    14. ↑ Politico, "Trump super PAC launches $100 million blitz," November 2, 2017
    15. ↑ Bloomberg, "Lewandowski Stars in Pro-Trump Ad Blitz for GOP Tax Plan," November 3, 2017
    16. ↑ Politico, "Trump-backed super PAC to hold fundraising meeting in Texas Tuesday," October 22, 2017
    17. ↑ America First Action, "Leadership," accessed September 22, 2020
    18. ↑ The Atlantic, "The New York Times' Disingenuous Campaign Against Citizens United," February 24, 2012
    19. ↑ The New York Times, "Who's Financing the 'Super PACs?" May 7, 2012
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