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Club for Growth Action (Super PAC)
| Club for Growth Action | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | Super PAC |
| Affiliation: | Republican |
| Year founded: | 2010 |
| Connections | |
| Club for Growth, Club for Growth PAC | |
Club for Growth Action is a conservative super PAC that is a subsidiary of the Club for Growth 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The super PAC was founded in 2010.[1]
Background
The Club for Growth is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization describing itself as "the leading free-enterprise advocacy group in the nation. We win tough battles and we have an enormous influence on economic policy."[2] As a super PAC associated with the Club, Club for Growth Action spends on political advocacy in support of the Club's goals.
As of September 2025, the super PAC described its mission as "leading the charge to protect and expand the Republican House majority. We’re making a difference with strong endorsements in key districts and support for endangered conservative Republicans. We’ve helped conservatives win primaries in crucial pick-up races and defended staunch conservatives against moderate challengers."[3]
Leadership
As of September 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at Club for Growth Action:[4]
- Adam Rozansky, treasurer
- David McIntosh, assistant treasurer
Work and activities
Electoral activities and influence
As an independent expenditure-only group, the Club for Growth Action spends its money buying advertising to support or oppose candidates based on the candidates' economic perspectives. The super PAC focuses on congressional races and funds television, radio, and internet ads as well as direct mail campaigns throughout the country. It endorses candidates that support lower taxes, reduced government spending, and pro-economic growth policies.[5] The committee also supports a free market economy.[5]
In 2012, one of their ads against Democratic candidate for Senate Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) read, "Donnelly has voted for higher taxes, government health care, and trillions in new debt. But what would a vote for Joe Donnelly really mean? It would mean a U.S. Senate controlled by liberals, with more taxes and debt from Washington, and less jobs for Indiana."[6] In the 2016 presidential election, the super PAC ran similar ads concerning Donald Trump (R). According to The Hill, the anti-Trump ads ran in Iowa and Illinois during the primary elections. David McIntosh, the group's president, told the paper that Club for Growth believed that Trump had "far-left positions on taxes, health care, bailouts and the abuse of eminent domain."[7]
2020 election cycle
As of July 30, 2020, Club for Growth Action had spent $19,154,863 in the 2020 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.[8] To view the group's expenditures in the 2020 election cycle, click here.
On January 29, 2020, Club for Growth Action announced that it would be re-airing an ad against U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) ahead of the Alabama Senate Republican primary. Club for Growth said the ad would "[highlight] Rep. Bradley Byrne’s record of sending American tax-dollars overseas and his support of special interests."[9] The group spent $274,000 on January 28, 2020.[10]
According to Politico, as of January 30, 2020, the organization planned to spend $3 million on ads opposing U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) in the U.S. Senate special election in Georgia.[11]
2018 election cycle
Expenditures
Club for Growth Action spent $12,837,437 during the 2018 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The following are the top 10 independent expenditures made by Club for Growth Action during the 2018 election cycle.[12]
| Club for Growth top independent expenditures in 2018 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State | Party | Office | Total | For | Against |
| Beto O'Rourke | Texas | U.S. Senate | $1,181,720 | $0 | $1,181,720 | |
| Russell C. Fagg | Mont. | U.S. Senate | $1,147,885 | $0 | $1,147,885 | |
| Chip Roy | Texas | U.S. House | $888,823 | $888,823 | $0 | |
| George Scott | Pa. | U.S. House | $665,858 | $0 | $665,858 | |
| Kristen Carlson | Fla. | U.S. House | $637,035 | $0 | $637,035 | |
| Matt Rosendale | Mont. | U.S. Senate | $556,850 | $556,850 | $0 | |
| Lance Gooden | Texas | U.S. House | $517,287 | $0 | $517,287 | |
| Russ Fulcher | Idaho | U.S. House | $514,318 | $514,318 | $0 | |
| Greg Steube | Fla. | U.S. House | $475,171 | $475,171 | $0 | |
| Tommy Pope | S.C. | U.S. House | $468,911 | $0 | $468,911 | |
2017 Georgia special election spending
In the weeks prior to a special election to fill the seat representing Georgia's 6th Congressional District, Club For Growth PAC endorsed Republican Bob Gray. The super PAC spent on advertising that opposed Karen Handel (R) for the position, calling Handel "a big-spending career politician that we can’t trust with our money."[13]
2016 election cycle
Presidential election
In the 2016 election cycle, the Club for Growth PAC and the super PAC endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time in the organization's history. On March 23, 2016, the organization endorsed Ted Cruz for president. Club for Growth President David McIntosh stated, "Ted Cruz is the best free-market, pro-growth, limited-government candidate in the presidential race." Regarding the first-time move of endorsing a presidential candidate, McIntosh said, "This year is different, because there is a vast gulf between the two leading Republican candidates on matters of economic liberty. Their records make clear that Ted Cruz is a consistent conservative who will fight to shrink the federal footprint, while Donald Trump would seek to remake government in his desired image."[14]
The super PAC raised $4 million in February 2016 when it announced its anti-Donald Trump campaign. The committee spent $4.7 in expenditures and, according to Politico, 59 percent of that went to opposing Trump.[15]
Expenditures
Club for Growth Action spent $19,181,962 during the 2016 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.[16]
The following are the top 10 independent expenditures made by Club for Growth Action during the 2016 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
| Club for Growth top independent expenditures in 2016 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State | Party | Office | Total | For | Against |
| Donald Trump | President | $7,054,232 | $29 | $7,054,203 | ||
| Katie McGinty | Pa. | U.S. Senate | $3,563,079 | $0 | $3,563,079 | |
| Russ Feingold | Wis. | U.S. Senate | $1,495,544 | $28 | $1,495,516 | |
| Warren Davidson | Ohio | U.S. House | $1,115,427 | $1,115,427 | $0 | |
| Renee Ellmers | N.C. | U.S. House | $787,880 | $0 | $787,880 | |
| Neal Dunn | Fla. | U.S. House | $582,285 | $0 | $582,285 | |
| Ted Budd | N.C. | U.S. House | $499,026 | $499,026 | $0 | |
| John Kasich | President | $467,226 | $0 | $467,226 | ||
| Drew Ferguson | Ga. | U.S. House | $436,311 | $0 | $436,311 | |
| Ron Johnson | Wis. | U.S. Senate | $424,207 | $424,207 | $0 | |
2014 election cycle
The Club for Growth was involved in finding primary challengers in districts the group identified as safely Republican with incumbents the group referred to as RINO (Republicans in name only). It launched the website called www.PrimaryMyCongressman.com to highlight those Republicans with what it saw as less conservative voting records. Club for Growth Action saw these incumbents as having failed to consistently vote on limiting government.[17]
Expenditures
The following are the top 10 independent expenditures made by Club for Growth Action during the 2014 election cycle:[18]
| Club for Growth top independent expenditures in 2014 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State | Party | Office | Total | For | Against |
| Thad Cochran | Miss. | U.S. Senate | $2,417,659 | $0 | $2,417,659 | |
| Mark Pryor | Ark. | U.S. Senate | $815,417 | $0 | $815,417 | |
| Ann Kuster | N.H. | U.S. House | $758,497 | $0 | $758,497 | |
| Chris McDaniel | Miss. | U.S. Senate | $722,353 | $722,353 | $0 | |
| Mike Simpson | Idaho | U.S. House | $478,802 | $0 | $478,802 | |
| Brian Ellis | Mich. | U.S. House | $440,557 | $0 | $440,557 | |
| Buddy Carter | Ga. | U.S. House | $387,928 | $0 | $387,928 | |
| Vance McAllister | La. | U.S. House | $258,372 | $0 | $258,372 | |
| Sid Dinsdale | Neb. | U.S. Senate | $256,906 | $0 | $256,906 | |
| Paul DeMarco | Ala. | U.S. House | $256,270 | $0 | $256,270 | |
Campaign advertisements
A selection of ads sponsored by Club for Growth Action in 2014.
2012 election cycle
The Center for Responsive Politics analyzed the success of 2012 general election cycle spending:[19]
Expenditures
Club for Growth Action spent a grand total of $16,584,207 in the 2012 election. Of that money, $15,000 was spent for Democrats, $4,244,957 was against Democrats, $3,060,031 was for Republicans, and $9,264,219 was used against Republicans. [20]
| Top 10 largest Club for Growth Action expenditures in 2012 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Party | State | Office | Total | For | Against | Desired Result |
| David Dewhurst | Texas | Senate | $4,998,650 | $0 | $4,998,650 | ||
| Joe Donnelly | Ind. | Senate | $1,990,588 | $0 | $1,990,588 | ||
| Richard Carmona | Ariz. | Senate | $1,274,348 | $0 | $1,274,348 | ||
| Richard Lugar | Ind. | Senate | $947,991 | $0 | $947,991 | ||
| Sherrod Brown | Ohio | Senate | $828,012 | $15,000 | $813,012 | ||
| Jon Bruning | Neb. | Senate | $714,743 | $0 | $714,743 | ||
| Richard Mourdock | Ind. | Senate | $701,465 | $701,465 | $0 | ||
| Eric Hovde | Wis. | Senate | $658,762 | $0 | $658,762 | ||
| Ted Cruz | Texas | Senate | $630,001 | $630,001 | $0 | ||
| Paul Gosar | Ariz. | House | $593,036 | $0 | $593,036 | ||
Campaign advertisements
A selection of ads sponsored by Club for Growth Action in 2012.
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Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Affiliations
- See also: Club for Growth
Club for Growth Action is a subsidiary of Club for Growth.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Club for Growth Action's revenues and expenses from 2010 to 2024. The information comes from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $5.6 million | $5.5 million |
| 2011 | $2.0 million | $0.2 million |
| 2012 | $16.3 million | $17.8 million |
| 2013 | $2.6 million | $1.3 million |
| 2014 | $6.7 million | $7.7 million |
| 2015 | $3.0 million | $2.4 million |
| 2016 | $16.9 million | $18.0 million |
| 2017 | $3.3 million | $2.1 million |
| 2018 | $16.4 million | $17.4 million |
| 2019 | $7.7 million | $2.1 million |
| 2020 | $64.3 million | $69.1 million |
| 2021 | $18.3 million | $9.4 million |
| 2022 | $71.0 million | $80.0 million |
| 2023 | $32.2 million | $13.8 million |
| 2024 | $56.5 million | $76.0 million |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Statement of Organization - Club for Growth Action," August 9, 2010
- ↑ Club for Growth, "What We Do," accessed September 10, 2025
- ↑ Club for Growth, "Club for Growth Action," accessed September 10, 2025
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Statement of Organization - Club for Growth Action," January 29, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedaction - ↑ Club for Growth, "Club For Growth Action Adds To Existing Ad Buy In Indiana Senate Race," October 26, 2012
- ↑ The Hill, "Club for Growth Action spends $2 million on anti-Trump ads," March 7, 2016
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Independent Expenditures, Communication Costs and Coordinated Expenses as of July 30, 2020," accessed July 30, 2020
- ↑ Club for Growth, "Club for Growth Action Running Alabama TV Ad on Byrne," January 29, 2020
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Independent Expenditures: Club for Growth Action," accessed February 2, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "Morning Score: What is the Club for Growth up to?," January 30, 2020
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Independent Expenditures, Communication Costs and Coordinated Expenses as of June 20, 2019," accessed July 30, 2020
- ↑ Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Club for Growth takes aim at ‘big-spending’ Handel in Georgia special election," March 28, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Club for Growth endorses Ted Cruz," March 23, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Club for Growth nets $4 million for Trump fight," March 19, 2016
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Club for Growth Action, Independent Expenditures, Communication Costs and Coordinated Expenses as of July 25, 2016," July 25, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Club for Growth Leads Conservative Charge, Sometimes at Republicans," March 13, 2013
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Club for Growth Action, Independent Expenditures, Communication Costs and Coordinated Expenses as of June 13, 2016," accessed July 25, 2016
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Club for Growth Action," accessed July 1, 2013
- ↑ Open Secrets, "Club for Growth Action Recipients, 2012," accessed July 1, 2013
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