Pre-Campaign Organization-Potential Presidential Candidates in 2013-14

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Pre-Campaign Organization (2013-14)
In the lead up to a presidential campaign, many potential candidates form leadership PACs to pursue their activities. (In addition to their national PACs, some prospects also establish state PACs). These allow a presidential prospect to support candidates and party committees around the country, whether it be through direct contributions, speaking at fundraising events or making endorsements. There are other vehicles for political activity besides PACs. 501(c)(4) organizations allow for nonpartisan education and advocacy on issues, but do not permit engaging in campaigning as a primary purpose. Leadership roles in party committees such as the Republican Governors Association or the Democratic Governors Association can also help a figure to raise his or her profile and connect with fundraisers. Potential candidates who are officeholders may have re-election campaigns to run. Separate from the political side of things, how an elected official organizes and staffs his or her official office can also provide insights into leadership style.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush - Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Dr. Ben Carson - USA First PAC ...leadership PAC filed with the FEC on Aug. 26, 2014.

Gov. Chris Christie - Office of the Governor / Republican Governors Association.

Sen. Ted Cruz - Jobs, Growth and Freedom Fund   ...leadership PAC filed with the FEC on Nov. 14, 2012.
                        - Ted Cruz for Senate (2018) (FEC).
                        - Ted Cruz Victory Committee   ...joint committee filed with the FEC on March 1, 2013.

Carly Fiorina - Unlocking Potential PAC   ...filed with the FEC on June 9, 2014.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee - HUCK PAC   ...filed with the FEC on April 8, 2008.

Gov. Bobby Jindal - America Next   ...501(c)(4) formed Oct. 2013.
                                - Stand Up to Washington PAC   ...filed with the FEC on March 11, 2014.

Gov. John Kasich - Kasich Taylor for Ohio   ...2014 re-elect; campaign manager Matt Carle.

Sen. Rand Paul - RAND PAC ...leadership PAC filed with the FEC on March 9, 2011.
                         - Rand Paul for U.S. Senate 2016 (FEC).
                           - Rand Paul Victory Committee   ...joint committee filed with the FEC on June 11, 2013.

Gov. Rick Perry - Americans for Economic Freedom   ...501(c)(4) formed Sept. 2013.
                            - RickPAC ...leadership PAC filed with the FEC on July 31, 2014.

Sen. Marco Rubio - Reclaim America PAC ...leadership PAC filed with the FEC on Aug. 2, 2011.
                               - Marco Rubio for Senate (2016) (FEC).
                               - Rubio Victory Committee   ...joint committee filed with the FEC on March 28, 2011

Former Sen. Rick Santorum - Patriot Voices   ...501(c)(4) launched June 8, 2012.
                                                  - Patriot Voices PAC ...filed with the FEC on Aug. 30, 2012.

Gov. Scott Walker - Friends of Scott Walker   ...2014 re-elect; campaign manager Stephan Thompson.

and a note from South Carolina...
Some or many of the SC GOP Victory 2014 staff will likely end up working for one or another of the 2016 presidential campaigns as they take shape in 2015 in advance of the 2016 SC presidential primary.

Democrats
Vice President Joe Biden - Office of the Vice President.

Former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton - Clinton Foundation.

Gov. Martin O'Malley - O'Say Can You See PAC (O'PAC) ...filed with the FEC on July 23, 2012.

Sen. Bernie Sanders - Friends of Bernie Sanders (FEC).

Potential Candidates' PACs Total Receipts and Total Disbursements in 2013-14 Cycle
FEC Post-Election Reports (Jan. 1, 2013 to Nov. 24, 2014)

		Total Receipts	Total Disbursements	Ending COH
USA First PAC [8/26/14]	Dr. Ben Carson	$377,072	$169,255	$207,817
Jobs Growth and Freedom Fund	Sen. Ted Cruz	$2,093,333	$1,954,341	$138,992
Unlocking Potential PAC [6/9/14]	Carly Fiorina	$1,867,019	$1,576,573	$290,445
HUCK PAC	Fmr. Gov. Mike Huckabee	$2,209,073	$1,927,069	$493,228
Stand Up to Washington PAC [3/11/14]	Gov. Bobby Jindal	$251,003	$245,970	$5,032
RAND PAC	Sen. Rand Paul	$3,627,921	$3,763,313	$290,105
RickPAC [7/31/14]	Gov. Rick Perry	$204,691	$142,202	$62,489
Reclaim America PAC	Sen. Marco Rubio	$3,818,373	$3,964,367	$15,527
Patriot Voices PAC	Fmr. Sen. Rick Santorum	$1,805,824	$2,011,091	$89,232
O'Say Can You See PAC	Gov. Martin O'Malley	$1,338,359	$845,671	$521,050

Ed. note. Keep in mind that this is federal activity.

Independent Activity

The 2016 cycle has seen two particularly well organized independent groups seeking to build grassroots support for possible candidacies: Ready for Hillary and the National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee, both organized as super PACs. Other super PACs which have attracted attention are Draft Ted Cruz for President and Ready for Warren Presidential Draft Committee. Priorities USA Action, which aligned itself to back Hillary Clinton if she runs, and which bulked up in Jan. 2014, was largely inactive. Human Action Super PAC, formed to support Rand Paul drew a bit of early attention but then went quiet.

Ready for Hillary
Ready for Warren Presidential Draft Committee
National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee
Draft Ted Cruz for President
Human Action Super PAC
Priorities USA Action

Independent PACs Total Receipts and Total Disbursements in 2013-14 Cycle
FEC Post-Election Reports (Jan. 1, 2013 to Nov. 24, 2014)

	Total Receipts	Total Disbursements	Ending COH	Debts/Loans
Ready for Hillary PAC	$12,173,249	$11,297,623	$875,626	$1,000,000
Ready for Warren Pres. Draft [7/1/14]	$66,106	$54,776	$11,329
National Draft Ben Carson for Pres.	$12,252,716	$12,018,823	$233,893	$390,684
Draft Ted Cruz for President [1/10/14]	$426,503	$415,617	$10,885

Ed. note. Keep in mind that this is federal activity. Ready for Hillary reported debts/loans of $1,000,000.

Research and Rapid Response
Additionally, American Bridge 21st Century through its Correct the Record and America Rising are conducting extensive research and rapid response on potential 2016 presidential candidates and will clearly be key players in the 2016 campaign.

American Bridge 21st Century
America Rising LLC