Despite promises to invest $20 million in younger, progressive candidates, the PAC led by Democratic activist David Hogg has reportedly spent millions on political consultants, advertising, and even fitness classes. In the first eight months of 2025, the PAC allocated only $455,000 to support three candidates in a challenging Democratic primary, according to a recent report.
The PAC’s expenditures included around $2.5 million for consultants, over $1.1 million for digital advertising, nearly $1 million for building donor lists, and close to $5,000 for a fitness class subscription service.
It’s interesting to note that Hogg’s PAC has raised eyebrows for spending lavishly while promising to focus on supporting candidates. For instance, they reportedly dropped thousands into luxury hotels during efforts to combat the “Oligarchy” alongside Bernie Sanders.
Kevin Rata, co-founder and executive director of the PAC, defended their wellness investments, claiming that for every dollar spent on these initiatives, they could expect a return of $3 to $5 by the end of the election cycle. He emphasized that every donation would have more impact as a result.
As of late August, the group had $1.6 million remaining in their bank account. The PAC has also made notable contributions, like $300,000 to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and $150,000 to Deja Foxx, a young progressive who unfortunately lost the Democratic primary by a significant margin.
In June, Hogg, then vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee, stirred conversation with his commitment to channel $20 million to support key challenges facing older Democrats in traditionally safe blue districts. His methods and spending habits have been scrutinized, especially following comments from New York Senator James Scorfes.
The situation raises an interesting question about the future of fundraising efforts. Hogg might need to gather about $3 billion to fulfill his promise effectively, a figure he acknowledged in a social media post earlier this year. Rata indicated that the PAC would have significant announcements coming soon.
