Pop-Up Super PACs Spend $637 Million in 2026 Midterms

Late-forming pop-up super PACs spent approximately $637 million in independent expenditures for the 2026 U.S. midterm congressional races as of October 29. A CNBC analysis of Federal Election Commission filings shows that 22 groups spending at least $1 million each registered shortly before reporting deadlines. This tactic allows these organizations to delay the public disclosure of their donors until after Election Day, a practice that has grown nearly 35-fold since 2022.

Both major political parties are utilizing this strategy, though Republican-linked groups have spent roughly twice as much as Democratic-linked ones. Many of these PACs are narrowly focused, with 14 of the 22 spending exclusively in a single congressional contest.

No Going Back PAC spent $242.2 million after receiving $200 million from MAGA Inc. Additionally, Texas PAC spent $181.6 million using funds transferred from the Senate Leadership Fund, which had received $158 million in contributions from Elon Musk.