American Crossroads
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| American Crossroads | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C.[1] |
| Type: | Super PAC |
| Founder(s): | Karl Rove |
| Year founded: | 2010 |
| Website: | Official website |
American Crossroads is a conservative super PAC that aims to focus its activities on what it sees as "America’s commitment to individual liberty, limited government, free enterprise and a strong national defense." The organization was founded in 2010 by a group of Republican political operatives led by Karl Rove.
The group works together with a number of additional super PACs, 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations, and 527 groups.[1][2]
Mission
As of July 2017, the organization's Facebook page listed the following mission statement for American Crossroads:
| “ |
The mission of American Crossroads is to help crystallize the debate over these two diametrically opposed visions for America’s future, to educate voters on how these contrasting visions will shape America’s future, and to empower citizens like you to hold lawmakers and office-seekers accountable for where they stand.[1][3] |
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History
| Super PACs |
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| Read more about super PACs and the super PACs covered on Ballotpedia. |
American Crossroads was founded in 2010 by Republican political strategist Karl Rove alongside former chair of the Republican National Committee Ed Gillespie, Republican fundraiser Fred Malek, and former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). Since its inception, American Crossroads has worked with a number of affiliated or like-minded organizations, including the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations American Action Network and Crossroads GPS, the super PACs Crossroads Generation and Crossroads GPS, and Resurgent Republic, a political polling organization.
The super PAC's founders also worked to restructure the Republican State Leadership Committee, a 527 group, into a state-based campaign organization and to establish the Senate Leadership Fund super PAC to improve funding for United States Senate races.[2][4][5][6]
American Crossroads has spent in federal elections to support Republican candidates since 2010. In the 2010 elections Republicans gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and picked up seats in the United States Senate. The group aimed to defeat President Barack Obama (D) and gain Republican control of the United States Senate in 2012. In 2014, spending by American Crossroads helped Republicans win control of the United States Senate.[5][7]
Political activity
2020-21 elections
CBS News reported that American Crossroads planned to spend $48 million toward the January 5, 2021, U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia.[8]
Click the links below for more on Georgia's Senate runoff races:
- United States Senate runoff elections in Georgia (January 5, 2021)
- United States Senate election in Georgia, 2020 (Perdue vs. Ossoff runoff)
- United States Senate special election in Georgia, 2020 (Loeffler vs. Warnock runoff)
2016 elections
- See also: Senate Leadership Fund
According to The Wall Street Journal, American Crossroads planned to focus its efforts on the presidential race and United States Senate contests during the 2016 election cycle. The group focused on advertising outreach following the primaries and leading up to the general election. At the urging of Senator Mitch McConnell, American Crossroads organized the separate Senate Leadership Fund super PAC in order to better disburse funding across senate races.[5]
The organization opposed Hillary Clinton's (D) presidential campaign.[9]
2014 elections
Endorsed candidates
American Crossroads endorsed the following 2014 candidates:[10]
Targeted candidates
American Crossroads opposed the following 2014 candidates:[10]
- Mark Begich (U.S. Senate-Alaska)
- Bruce Braley (U.S. Senate-Iowa)
- Jeanne Shaheen (U.S. Senate-N.H.)
- Mark Pryor (U.S. Senate-Ark.)
- Patrick Hays (U.S. House of Representatives-Ark.)
- Mary Landrieu (U.S. Senate-La.)
- Ami Bera (U.S. House of Representatives-Calif.)
- Matt Doheny (U.S. House of Representatives-N.Y.)
- Alex Sink (U.S. House of Representatives-Fla.)
- Mark Udall (U.S. Senate-Colo.)
- Cheri Bustos (U.S. House of Representatives-Ill.)
- John Walsh (U.S. Senate-Mont.)
- Ann Callis (U.S. House of Representatives-Ill.)
- Greg Orman (U.S. Senate-Kansas)
- Alison Lundergan Grimes (U.S. Senate-Ky.)
- Natalie Tennant (U.S. Senate-W.Va.)
Expenditures
American Crossroads spent $22,704,603 during the 2014 election cycle. Of the total expenditures, the group directed $17,454,784 against Democratic candidates, $3,383,816 in support of Republican candidates, and $772,092 against Republican challengers. The following table identifies American Crossroads' largest expenditures during the 2014 elections:[11]
| Top 10 expenditures by American Crossroads in 2014[12] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Total | For | Against | Desired Result |
| Mark Begich | AK | Senate | $4,116,247 | $0 | $4,116,247 | ||
| Bruce Braley | IA | Senate | $3,858,037 | $0 | $3,858,037 | ||
| Jeanne Shaheen | NH | Senate | $2,652,667 | $0 | $2,652,667 | ||
| Mark Pryor | AR | Senate | $1,995,572 | $0 | $1,995,572 | ||
| Thom Tillis | NC | Senate | $1,881,035 | $1,881,035 | $0 | ||
| Patrick Hays | AR | House | $1,418,530 | $0 | $1,418,530 | ||
| Joni Ernst | IA | Senate | $1,175,752 | $1,175,752 | $0 | ||
| Mary Landrieu | LA | Senate | $1,034,442 | $0 | $1,034,442 | ||
| Ami Bera | CA | House | $994,066 | $0 | $994,066 | ||
| Matt Doheny | NY | House | $772,092 | $0 | $772,092 | ||
2012 elections
According to the Sunlight Foundation, American Crossroads spent $104,746,715 during the 2012 election cycle. Further analysis by the foundation found that 1.29 percent of the total funds achieved the desired election result.[13]
Open Secrets analyzed the success rate of American Crossroads' 2012 general election cycle spending and found the following results:[14]
Endorsed candidates
American Crossroads endorsed the following 2012 candidates:[12]
Targeted candidates
American Crossroads opposed the following 2012 candidates:[12]
- Barack Obama (President)
- Bill Nelson (U.S. Senate-Fla.)
- Jon Tester (U.S. Senate-Mont.)
- Joe Donnelly (U.S. Senate-Ind.)
- Tammy Baldwin (U.S. Senate-Wis.)
- Bob Kerrey (U.S. Senate-Neb.)
- Tim Kaine (U.S. Senate-Va.)
- Shelley Berkley (U.S. Senate-Nev.)
- Kathleen Hochul (U.S. House of Representatives-N.Y.)
- Kate Marshall (U.S. House of Representatives-Nev.)
- Claire McCaskill (U.S. Senate-Mo.)
Expenditures
American Crossroads spent $104,746,670 during the 2012 election cycle. Of the total expenditures, the group directed $15,000 in support of Democratic candidates, $4,244,957 in opposition to Democrats, $3,060,031 in support of Republican candidates, and $9,264,219 against Republican challengers. The following table identifies American Crossroads' largest expenditures during the 2012 elections:[12]
| Top 10 largest American Crossroads expenditures in 2012[12] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Total | For | Against | Desired Result |
| Barack Obama | N/A | President | $84,549,495 | $0 | $84,549,495 | ||
| Mitt Romney | N/A | President | $6,565,936 | $6,565,936 | $0 | ||
| Bill Nelson | FL | Senate | $4,022,605 | $0 | $4,022,605 | ||
| Jon Tester | MT | Senate | $1,846,580 | $0 | $1,846,580 | ||
| Joe Donnelly | IN | Senate | $1,386,787 | $0 | $1,386,787 | ||
| Tommy Thompson | WI | Senate | $1,345,194 | $1,345,194 | $0 | ||
| Tammy Baldwin | WI | Senate | $1,319,897 | $0 | $1,319,897 | ||
| Bob Kerrey | NE | Senate | $992,170 | $0 | $992,170 | ||
| Tim Kaine | VA | Senate | $728,650 | $0 | $728,650 | ||
| Heather Wilson | NM | Senate | $427,939 | $427,939 | $0 | ||
Finances
The following table identifies American Crossroads' total federal receipts and disbursements according to the Federal Election Commission:[15]
| Annual federal receipts and disbursements for American Crossroads, 2010-2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements |
| 2016 | $4,897,980.02 | $5,869,330.31 |
| 2015 | $3,135,593.35 | $1,634,921.39 |
| 2014 | $28,168,930.37 | $29,326,322.66 |
| 2013 | $3,595,898.74 | $2,055,530.72 |
| 2012 | $99,104,305.19 | $113,510,181.02 |
| 2011 | $18,368,102.46 | $3,534,144.05 |
| 2010 | $26,575,589.30 | $25,817,253.94 |
Leadership
As of July 2017, the following individuals held leadership positions with American Crossroads, according to the group's website:[16]
- Steven Law, President
- Carl Forti, Political director
- Jennifer Fay, Chief of staff
Legal status
American Crossroads 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.[17][18]
Noteworthy events
John Doe investigations
Two John Doe investigations, beginning in 2010 and ending in 2015, were launched by Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm (D) into the activities of staff and associates of Gov. Scott Walker (R).[19] American Crossroads was one of 29 conservative organizations that were targeted during the course of the second investigation.[20][21]
Media
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Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for "American + Crossroads"
- All stories may not be relevant to this organization due to the nature of the search engine.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Facebook, "American Crossroads," accessed July 17, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Politico, "Karl Rove and the Modern Money Machine," July/August 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Crossroads Generation, "Home," accessed July 21, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The Wall Street Journal, "American Crossroads Gears Up for 2016 Elections, Aims to Stay Top GOP Super PAC," July 26, 2015
- ↑ Senate Leadership Fund, "Home," accessed July 21, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "G.O.P. Captures House, but Not Senate," November 2, 2010
- ↑ CBS News, "'Everybody is looking up to Georgia right now': Early voting kicks off in Senate runoffs," December 16, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "New Crossroads ad reminds GOP: Clinton is the target," March 29, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Open Secrets, "American Crossroads Targeted Candidates," March 9, 2015
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "American Crossroads Targeted Candidates 2014," March 9, 2015
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Open Secrets, "American Crossroads Recipients, 2012," accessed July 11, 2013
- ↑ Sunlight Foundation, "Outside spenders' return on investment," November 14, 2012
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "American Crossroads," accessed July 11, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Details for Committee ID : C00487363," accessed July 21, 2016
- ↑ American Crossroads, "Leadership team," accessed July 17, 2017
- ↑ The Atlantic, "The New York Times' Disingenuous Campaign Against Citizens United," February 24, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "Who's Financing the 'Super PACs?" May 7, 2012
- ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Milwaukee Division, "Eric O’Keefe, and Wisconsin Club for Growth, Inc.," accessed February 23, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Watchdog, "Wall Street Journal: GAB targeted conservative justices in John Doe defense," September 17, 2015
- ↑ Eric O'Keefe v. Francis Schmitz, et al., "Complaint," accessed September 16, 2015
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