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Courageous Conservatives PAC
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| Courageous Conservatives PAC | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Kansas City, Mo. |
| Type: | Super PAC |
| Affiliation: | Republican |
| Year founded: | 2015 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Courageous Conservatives PAC (CCPAC) is a conservative super PAC. The group was formed in October 2015 in order to support former 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz and conservative Republican congressional candidates.[1]
Mission
As of July 2017, the organization's website listed the following description of CCPAC's purpose:[2]
| “ | Courageous Conservatives PAC was created because we’re sick of seeing conservative candidates outpunched by weak 'moderates' who lie about their own records of failure and appeasement while attacking strong conservatives fighting for what we believe...We operate a lean operation with a tiny staff. Nearly every dollar donated goes directly into hard-hitting radio and TV ads, robocalls and social media boosts. We’re not going to have as much money as the big SuperPACs and Establishment Lobbyists so we’re making up for it with punch.[3] | ” |
Background
CCPAC was established in October 2015 as a super PAC in support of Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign and conservative Republican congressional candidates. The organization funded political advertisements against Republican presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican primary election season.[2][4]
Following Donald Trump's recognition as the presumptive 2016 Republican presidential nominee in May 2016, the CCPAC was active in the NeverTrump movement, which opposed Trump's potential election as president.
After Trump's election, the organization's website expressed the group's support for some of President Trump's policies, stating, "Courageous Conservatives PAC supports President Trump in his mission to Drain The Swamp! We supported the President when he selected Steve Bannon as an advisor with TV ads on Fox News in the D.C. area. CCPAC is impressed by AG Sessions, Scott Pruitt at EPA, Rick Perry at Energy & all the other Conservative cabinet selections of Donald Trump. We intend to send the President reinforcements to make his Presidential legacy Making America Great Again!"[5]
Work
2016 elections
CCPAC supported former Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward (R) in her campaign to unseat U.S. Senator John McCain (R). The group produced the pro-Ward television spot, "John McCain-DC Insider," in July 2016.[6]
NeverTrump movement
- See also: NeverTrump movement
The CCPAC was active in the NeverTrump movement, which opposed the election of 2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The CCPAC supported the Free the Delegates] movement, which aimed to unbind Republican delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention and allow them to "vote their conscience" rather than support Donald Trump.[2][7]
On a conference call with Free the Delegates supporters, Steve Lonegan, spokesman for the CCPAC, pledged financial support to delegates in the event of state-level consequences for voting their conscience at the convention. Lonegan also stated that the CCPAC would set up a physical headquarters at the convention in order to assist with anti-Trump strategy efforts.[8]
Scott Walker support as alternative candidate at convention
- See also: Scott Walker presidential campaign, 2016
The CCPAC supported Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) as a potential 2016 Republican presidential nominee leading up to the 2016 Republican National Convention. The organization encouraged Walker to re-enter the presidential race as an alternative candidate for the presidential nomination.[7][9]
“Governor Walker’s name is the only one being mentioned seriously as someone who can unite all factions of the Republican Party and we’re urging him to step forward and agree to accept a draft,” stated Steve Lonegan, spokesman for the CCPAC.[7]
Finances
The following table identifies total federal receipts and disbursements for CCPAC according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission:
| Annual federal receipts and disbursements for CCPAC, 2015-2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Total receipts | Total disbursements |
| 2016[10] | $275,700 | $280,005 |
| 2015[11] | $148,800 | $141,631 |
Legal status
Courageous Conservatives PAC 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.[12][13]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Courageous Conservatives PAC'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Courageous Conservatives PAC homepage
- Courageous Conservative PAC on Facebook
- Courageous Conservatives PAC on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Statement of Organization-Courageous Conservatives PAC," accessed July 12, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Courageous Conservatives PAC, "Who we are," accessed July 12, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ CNBC, "Days from GOP convention, #nevertrump movement still raising 'dark money,'" July 11, 2016
- ↑ Courageous Conservatives PAC, "Who We Are," archived July 5, 2017
- ↑ I Agree to See, "Courageous Conservatives PAC attacks John McCain’s ‘liberal’ votes," July 18, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Courageous Conservatives PAC, "CCPAC urges Walker to step forward to save the GOP from a Trump electoral disaster," July 5, 2016
- ↑ NBC News, "Anti-Trump Republican Delegates Allege 'Intimidation' by Party Leaders," June 19, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Public Radio, "Show Of Unity Could Be Behind Walker's Decision To Speak At GOP Convention, Analyst Says," July 7, 2016
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Courageous Conservatives PAC Year-End Report, 2016," January 30, 2017
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Courageous Conservatives PAC Year-End Report, 2015," May 27, 2016
- ↑ 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
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