Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (left) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have distributed the most money from leadership PACs so far this cycle. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Republican lawmakers are pouring significantly more money into candidate campaigns through leadership PACs than their Democratic counterparts, according to an OpenSecrets analysis of political action committee reports.
Politicians often form PACs to earn support for their own leadership ambitions by raising money that they distribute to candidates. OpenSecrets found nearly 750 leadership PACs have made contributions to candidates during the 2025-26 cycle, with Republicans continuing to outpace Democrats.
GOP-affiliated leadership PACs have doled out $34.9 million to candidates so far this cycle (through June 30). Democratic candidates have received $24.2 million, continuing a trend of trailing the GOP. Democratic leadership PACs have only given out more money at this point in the cycle four times since OpenSecrets began collecting data in 1990. The last time that happened was 2010, when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress.
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So far, two leadership PACs have given more than $1 million to candidates’ campaign committees. The American Revival PAC, associated with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), has handed out $1.2 million and the Eye of the Tiger PAC, tied to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), has distributed $1.1 million.
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) has the most prolific leadership PAC on the Democratic side (and fourth overall). Her Fair Shot PAC has contributed $882,000 to candidates.
