Hijacking Campaign 2018 | Independent Expenditures | Issue Ads | Candidates | Offices | Campaign 2018
Posted: March 29, 2018
Updated: June 18, 2021
Fall: Oath • Spending
Special: Oath • Spending
Spring: Oath • Spending
This is federal political action committee (PAC) used by the National Rifle Association (NRA), the nation's largest and most controversial pro-gun group, to support Republican and conservative candidates and attack Democrats in races for federal and state offices.
In 2018 the organization made independent expenditures in the fall, June special and spring supreme court elections.
Fall
In mid-October the group first reported spending over $800,000 on television advertising to oppose Tony Evers, the Democratic challenger to two-term Republican incumbent Gov. Scott Walker. The ad called Evers "dangerous" because he supports backgrounds checks for gun buyers. In late October NRA first reported mailings to support Walker and incumbent Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel who was opposed by Democratic challenger Josh Kaul. Evers and Kaul won.
Special
Eight days before the June 12 special elections, the organization first reported spending on mailings in support of Rep. Andre Jacque, the Republican candidate in the 1st Senate District. He lost the open seat to to Democrat Caleb Frostman but won the rematch held later that November.
Spring
Less than a week before the April 3 spring elections, the group's federal PAC filed paperwork with the state showing it spent about $44,200 on mailings to support conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Michael Screnock. Screnock, a Sauk County Circuit Court judge,faced Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Dallet for the 10-year seat on the high court. Screnock received the NRA's endorsement in the race shortly before the Parkland, Fla. school shooting and the February primary.
Before the 2016 state elections, the NRA used a similarly named state PAC to make direct contributions to candidates and make independent expenditures in legislative and statewide races, as well as an independent disbursement committee. The NRA is among the top special interest spenders since 2010 in Wisconsin elections.
Last active election: 2016
This organization is an unregistered independent expenditure committee that is required to report any such spending done within 60 days of a primary or an election to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission per Chapter 11, Subchapter X of Wisconsin Statutes.