The political action committee and fundraising network of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) delivered $837,918.93 in gross contributions to Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted’s campaign, including another $289,118.93 between July and September, a TiffinOhio.net review of federal filings found.
Its PAC contributed $10,000 directly to Husted, while $827,918.93 was routed to his campaign through AIPAC’s fundraising operation. Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Husted in Ohio’s November 3 special election, received no direct contributions from AIPAC PAC and no donations earmarked through the organization.
Husted’s October 15 Federal Election Commission filing identifies $284,118.93 in contributions handled by AIPAC as an intermediary during the third quarter, plus a separate $5,000 check from AIPAC PAC on September 30. The PAC previously gave Husted $5,000 for the special primary election in April.
AIPAC kept the money flowing
The latest filing lists 14 AIPAC intermediary entries from July 5 through September 30. The largest included $48,000 on August 13, $42,875 on August 27, and $37,200 each on September 3 and September 10. Those were transfers of contributions collected from donors for Husted, not additional contributions from the PAC’s own treasury.
Under federal reporting rules, campaigns identify both the original donors and the intermediary that handled their earmarked contributions. AIPAC’s fundraising role is therefore documented in Husted’s campaign reports, alongside the donations it delivered.
The full $837,918.93 total comes from five reporting periods: $538,800 in individual contributions earmarked through AIPAC before July, a separate $5,000 SUN PAC contribution routed through AIPAC in February, another $284,118.93 routed through the group during July–September, and $10,000 contributed directly by AIPAC PAC. The review includes a pre-primary report covering April 1–15, as well as Husted’s second-quarter and latest quarterly disclosures.
The $837,918.93 figure represents gross receipts, not contributions retained after refunds. It does not double-count individual donor entries and the corresponding AIPAC intermediary entries, or include spending by outside political groups.
Brown’s record: No AIPAC PAC money
Federal records for Brown’s 2026 campaign and his 2024 reelection campaign contain no direct AIPAC PAC contributions or donations earmarked through AIPAC. The contrast was already substantial in September, when TiffinOhio.net documented more than $543,000 in AIPAC-connected contributions for Husted through June. The latest federal filing adds another $289,118.93, while the expanded accounting identifies the earlier $5,000 SUN PAC contribution.
AIPAC announces an end to the fundraising method it used for Husted
On October 21, less than two weeks before Ohio’s election, AIPAC announced it would stop directly endorsing candidates, making PAC contributions and earmarking donations after the 2026 midterms. According to a letter to members reported by NPR, AIPAC plans to expand organized contributions made directly by individuals, while its affiliated super PAC, United Democracy Project, will continue operating.
AIPAC’s decision changes how it plans to support candidates in future elections. In Husted’s 2026 campaign, the group was still acting as a fundraising conduit on September 30, when it transferred another $23,267.27 to his campaign and its PAC supplied a separate $5,000 check.
