Republicans have launched an online PAC meant to stimulate grassroots and small donation-giving called “WinRed.” The grouping of conservatives and nonprofits representing conservative interest will provide potential donors with easy, one-stop access to donate small amounts of money based on causes and candidates they find most desirable, as first reported by POLITCO.
WinRed was launched Monday, after several delays, as an answer to the highly successful Democratic counterpart, “ActBlue,” which has already raised $174 million in 2019. Former Chief of Staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Josh Holmes described the launch of WinRed as, “This is the first time I’ve ever seen either political party come together to do something genuinely good for campaigns instead of consultants … It’s unquestionably the most significant realignment of political infrastructure in my career.”
Democrats raised $700 million in small donations through ActBlue ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Republicans, without a centralized donation counterpart, did not come close to that number. President Trump is said to be enthusiastic about the WinRed launch, allegedly choosing the name after its original moniker, “Patriot Pass,” was rejected.
Initially set to launch in February, WinRed has been slowed by several considerations involved in a wide-scale consolidation of the GOP donating systems, including concerns from some lawmakers that the platform would allow primary challengers the ability to raise significant funds.
Trump and Republican senators have so far out-raised their 2020 Democratic counterparts, but the House GOP has been anxious for the WinRed roll out to bolster their campaign hopes for the coming election. Trump tweeted of the launch on Monday morning, “I am pleased to announce the launch of http://tmagac.winred.com. This new platform will allow my campaign and other Republicans to compete with the Democrats money machine. This has been a priority of mine and I’m pleased to share that it is up and running!”
I am pleased to announce the launch of https://t.co/D1MY2aPC7f. This new platform will allow my campaign and other Republicans to compete with the Democrats money machine. This has been a priority of mine and I’m pleased to share that it is up and running! #KeepAmericaGreat
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 24, 2019
