Democratic activist David Hogg's political action committee (PAC), Leaders We Deserve, faces criticism for poor financial management while trying to support younger, progressive candidates. The PAC has spent significant funds on consultants and unnecessary services instead of backing political candidates effectively.
1. Background of David Hogg and His PAC:
• Hogg, previously a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), shifted focus to his PAC after a brief tenure.
• The PAC aims to elect younger, progressive Democrats but is currently struggling to achieve its goals.
2. Financial Oversight:
• Records show that Leaders We Deserve has spent millions on political consultants and advertising but only a small fraction on actual candidate support.
• Specifically, the PAC disbursed about $455,000 to three candidates in Democratic primary races in early 2025. In comparison, $2.5 million was allocated to consultants, $1.1 million for digital advertisements, and $965,000 for donor list development.
• Over $4,000 was spent on fitness classes through ClassPass, which raised eyebrows among critics.
3. Rationale for Expenditures:
• Kevin Lata, the PAC’s executive director, justified spending on wellness programs, stating that the aim is for investments to yield a return of $3 to $5 for every dollar spent. This rationale is met with skepticism given the PAC's lack of electoral success.
4. Electoral Outcomes:
• Leaders We Deserve has only succeeded in backing one candidate out of three contested races, with significant losses for others despite substantial financial backing.
• The lone win came in New York City's mayoral race, where $300,000 supported the successful candidate, while others backed by the PAC lost by large margins.
5. Media and Public Reaction:
• Even liberal media outlets have criticized Hogg's PAC for its ineffective strategies and alignment with the "consultant class," which Hogg himself previously criticized.
• The PAC has not endorsed challengers to incumbent Democratic lawmakers, indicating a missed opportunity for influence in key races.
David Hogg's PAC, Leaders We Deserve, has struggled to make a significant impact in supporting progressive candidates, spending more on consultants and advertisements than on candidate support. With only one successful outcome in electoral contests, questions arise about the effectiveness of its strategies and financial management going forward. As scrutiny intensifies, it remains uncertain what Hogg's future plans might be if the PAC does not improve its performance.
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