David Hogg's Anti-Gun PAC Hit With Allegations Over Spending Practices

Notorious (and somewhat clueless) anti-Second Amendment activist David Hogg's Political Action Committee (PAC), "Leaders We Deserve," is under fire for spending very little of the money it has raised on its stated purpose of advocating for political candidates. The PAC is accused of spending its funds mostly on travel and meals.

Schadenfreude rating: 100.

Hogg created a group in the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections to elect Generation Z politicians to offices throughout the country. The group was given favorable national coverage in major media outlets. He explained that contributions would be used to elect young Democrat candidates:
“[We’re] trying to pick them and say, you know, we would like to help you run for office, we’ll supply you with all of the resources that you need and help basically coach you and hold your hand to get there, which is kind of the gap that’s in the space right now, for at least young people at the state legislative level.”
Federal filings reportedly show that year-end 2023, Leaders We Deserve raised over $3 million. That is impressive for its first year in operation.
The conservative sites allege that the group spent “only about $263,000 on its stated mission of electing candidates from Generation Z to office combined with donations to other Democrat Party committees and groups—and instead spent more than $1.4 million on disbursements to themselves for payroll and to political consulting firms and legal fees, in addition to travel and entertainment expenses like hotels, flights, and meals.”

It's easy to expect, given David Hogg's repeated and continuous self-aggrandizement, to think that this is an organization that was formed not necessarily to elect Gen Z candidates but instead with the primary (unstated) purpose of "stroking David Hogg's ego."

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There is one counter-argument, though, that many may say merits some consideration:

The controversy does raise some novel questions about the purpose of contributions. Hogg coming to a local campaign is likely to generate media attention for a candidate. He can also claim that he and his staff bring needed expertise and advice to novice or young candidates. That could be their interpretation of the promise to “basically coach you and hold your hand to get there.” Critics are focused on the pitch to “supply you with all of the resources that you need.”
The group is only the latest political or business effort launched by Hogg, who previously tried to start a “progressive pillow company” before stepping away from the enterprise.

This isn't just a stretch; this is distorting the purpose of a PAC all out of recognition. Granted, an appearance by a nationally known figure may likely drive some turnout to an event for a much less well-known local candidate, but that seems like the kind of argument a political organization trots out after they've been busted for spending most of their donated money on legal fees, plane flights, hotel rooms, and meals.

It would be interesting to see receipts, which unfortunately are not available. Is David Hogg eating at five-star restaurants or Burger King on these excursions? Is he staying in penthouse suites or a Motel 6? That's a difference in degree, not in kind, but it would still be interesting to know.

Regardless of any of that, regardless of their claims, it sure looks like the actual purpose of the "Leaders We Deserve" PAC is "promoting David Hogg."