The progressive-minded People for the American Way spent $42,459 in February supporting U.S. Senator Doug Jones’ (D-AL) 2020 reelection bid, according to recent FEC filings.
People for the American Way was founded in 1981 by television producer Norman Lear, who created shows like “One Day at a Time,” “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” and “All in the Family.”
The group counts among its major victories the tanking of Robert Bork‘s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, and it has strongly opposed the majority of President Trump’s nominations to the courts and agencies of the federal government.
The group has significant financial ties to liberal megadonor George Soros through his Foundation to Promote Open Society.
The type of independent expenditure that People for the American Way spent to support Jones is listed as “Membership email communications.”
It would appear the group has been using its wide-ranging network of supporters to raise awareness for Jones in the hopes that Democrats will rally to his aid for what will be an uphill reelection fight.
Independent expenditures are not made in coordination with the campaign itself, per federal law.
People for the American Way is headquartered in Washington, D.C., but it counts among its board members Hollywood celebrities like actors Alec Baldwin and Seth McFarlane.
RELATED: Jones raises over 86% from out-of-state individuals in latest fundraising period
The most recent financial reports available to the public show that George Soros’ Foundation to Promote Open Society granted the group $195,000 in 2017.
The watchdog site InfluenceWatch says that Soros-funded groups have given People for the American Way millions of dollars over the life of the organization.
The Jones reelection campaign could become a hotbed of outside spending that both favors and opposes Alabama’s junior senator. Jones has been tabbed by most political observers as the most vulnerable incumbent in the U.S. Senate.
Jones’ first run for the Senate was marked with large amounts of outside spending both for and against the Democrat from Mountain Brook. Outside groups spent over $13 million in that special election in 2017.
Additionally, a shadowy outside group funded by silicon valley billionaire Reid Hoffman used deceptive online techniques to try and aid Jones’ first run for the Senate in 2017, according to a report by the New York Times.
Jones after the election disavowed the tactics of that group, saying he was “outraged” and calling for the effort to be investigated.
Jones will face the eventual Republican nominee on November 3, 2020. The GOP primary will be held Tuesday, March 3.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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