The American Future Fund, a 501(c)4 group that funded multiple attack ads against Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election has filed information with the Federal Election Commission indicating that they have just spent $17,500 for a targeted direct mail piece against Republican conservative businessman and former Judge Bob Corlew. Corlew is locked in a tight primary battle with businessman John Rose in the 6th Congressional District to fill the seat being vacated by Congresswoman Diane Black. Black is running for Governor.
American Future Fund Political Action spends:
$17,500.00 (details in image below) in opposition to Bob Corlew (R-TN-06);See TN-06 Total IE Spending: https://t.co/f9lGChfBIm
***IE Spending Leaders:***https://t.co/7HNRcwp3wz pic.twitter.com/3MltbNIOSa
— Political MoneyLine (@pml_tray) July 11, 2018
In 2016 alone, the organization spent $6.7 million in attacks against Trump, describing him as a “fraud,” “a phony,” and a “B.S. artist.” The group recently ran negative ads against South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a staunch and early Trump supporter. Trump appeared at a campaign rally for McMaster the night before his runoff election in South Carolina last month. McMaster won the runoff and is expected to easily carry the state in November.
The American Future Fund was founded by Nick Ryan in 2007 and is based in Iowa. The group has spent funds opposing other pro-Trump candidates during this election cycle.
FEC regulations require the disclosure of independent expenditures related to a Federal campaign, such as Congress, within 48 hours after they are made at this point in the election period. The mail piece is expected to hit mailboxes in the next day or so.
Tennessee Star Political Editor Steve Gill says that the primary race between Rose and Corlew is close and that outside groups could play a significant role in who wins and loses that primary. “In a district and state where Donald Trump enjoys extraordinarily high approval ratings, an anti-Trump group like American Future Fund is playing with fire by getting involved. Their ‘support’ for Rose could actually help Corlew secure the Trump base,” Gill noted. “They are helping anti-Trump Republicans in other races across the country so it is not really very surprising — but it is definitely a risky play.”
