Top Liberal Operative Funnels Millions From Super PAC to Her Private Firm

Tara McGowan, the Democrat operative most closely associated with the technological fiasco that unfolded in the Iowa caucuses, has funneled nearly $2.4 million from her super PAC to her private firm. It is the latest in a series of transfers between entities in her dark money network.

New disclosure forms show that PACRONYM, a super PAC affiliated with McGowan's nonprofit ACRONYM—the dark money group behind the botched Iowa caucus app—spent close to $2.4 million on anti-Trump ads Wednesday night that will run in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. The money was sent to a for-profit digital consulting firm, Lockwood Strategy Lab, which is also part of McGowan's network.

McGowan's PAC has been active in an effort by Democrat groups to flood battleground states with ads criticizing President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The PAC's filings show that it has been heavily financed by the same wealthy liberal donors who also provide millions to a number of groups undertaking similar efforts.

McGowan, who previously worked for Priorities USA Action and President Obama's reelection campaign, created ACRONYM following the 2016 election to rival Trump's online operations.

While ACRONYM does not disclose its donors, some of its funders can be gleaned from public records. For example, Federal Election Commission filings show that the nonprofit received $300,000 from Nancy Pelosi's House Majority PAC in 2018.

More