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Overview of Spending by Leaders We Deserve
In a surprising shift from its original goals, Leaders We Deserve, a political action committee (PAC) led by David Hogg, has reported significant expenditures on consultants, advertisements, and even wellness services. This comes despite a commitment to spend $20 million supporting progressive candidates in upcoming elections.
Financial Breakdown of Allocations
According to recent federal campaign filings, Leaders We Deserve has allocated $2.5 million to consultants, $1.1 million on digital advertising, and an additional $965,000 to cultivate donor lists. Remarkably, $5,000 was also spent on a fitness class subscription service, ClassPass. In comparison, the PAC dedicated only $455,000 to assist three candidates during the first eight months of 2025, raising questions about its priorities.
Contradictory Spending Patterns
The PAC’s decisions appear contradictory, as much larger sums went toward supporting campaign infrastructure rather than direct contributions to candidates in challenging races. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of their investment strategy, especially in light of the $20 million pledge that Hogg touted.
Response from PAC Leadership
Kevin Lata, co-founder and executive director of Leaders We Deserve, defended the spending choices. He emphasized the importance of the wellness benefit for employees, similar to many organizations across the nation. Lata believes that these strategic investments will ultimately yield returns of three to five times their initial cost by the end of the election cycle. He asserted that these expenditures could extend the impact of every donation received.
Current Financial Standing
As of the end of August, the PAC had $1.6 million remaining in its account. Although this figure appears substantial, it pales in comparison to the commitments Hogg made to amplify progressive representation in the Democratic Party.
Candidate Support and Endorsements
Leaders We Deserve has made some monetary contributions to candidates, including $300,000 to Zohran Mamdani for the New York City mayoral race. Additionally, the PAC provided $150,000 to House candidate Deja Foxx, a young activist who ultimately lost her Democratic primary by a significant margin. Further, the PAC contributed $5,000 to Irene Shin, who also faced defeat in a special Democratic primary.
Criticism from Political Peers
This high level of spending on consultants and advertising faced ridicule from fellow politicians. New York state Senator James Skoufis commented on Hogg’s financial strategy with skepticism, mocking the disproportionate expenditures in comparison to the promised funding for candidates. He highlighted that to fulfill the $20 million commitment, Hogg would need to raise over $3 billion, underscoring a glaring disparity.
Hogg’s Role in the DNC
In June, Hogg’s involvement as a vice chair for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) drew significant attention. He created controversy by announcing the intent to utilize $20 million from Leaders We Deserve to challenge older Democrats in relatively safe districts, which many perceived as a bid to modernize the party. His stance emphasized the need for generational change within the Democratic Party.
Acknowledgment of Challenges Ahead
After the DNC Credentials Committee’s vote advanced a challenge to the vice chairs’ leadership, Hogg expressed concern over his position. He conveyed that his goal was to improve the Democratic Party rather than defend its existing structures, which he deemed inadequate at attracting diverse voter demographics.
Future Expectations from Leaders We Deserve
Despite the ongoing scrutiny regarding financial allocations, Lata assured reporters that Leaders We Deserve plans to announce more endorsements in the near future. This statement hints at a continuing commitment to support progressive candidates, although the specifics of how and when this will happen remain unclear.
Summing Up the Financial Discrepancies
The spending patterns of Leaders We Deserve offer a complex picture of modern political funding. With a significant portion of resources funneled into consultancy and marketing efforts rather than direct candidate support, the future of the PAC’s mission remains uncertain. Stakeholders within the progressive movement and potential donors will likely watch closely to see how Hogg and his team adapt their strategies moving forward.
