Top 25: Outside Influence in Nebraska Politics

The 25 non-candidate organizations (PACs, party committees, super PACs, unions, trade and issue groups, ballot committees, businesses and nonprofits) that put the most money into Nebraska politics, from NADC and FEC filings. Money Map · Local funds · Method

What "outside influence" means here: money from any organization other than a candidate, a candidate's own committee, or an individual donor: direct contributions (cash, in-kind, loans and pledge payments as filed; unpaid pledges are not counted), independent / third-party expenditures, and ballot committee campaign spending. It does not mean out-of-state; use the origin filter for that, based on the state in each filing. Payment processors (ActBlue, WinRed, Anedot) are excluded because they pass along individual gifts. Individuals are never named.

As of the NADC data file updated 2026-10-27 02:38 CT and FEC bulk files; built 2026-10-27 03:20 CT.

All organizations, 2017-18 cycle (gross)

$33,904,777

4,975 organizations

Net of transfers between organizations

$30,403,517

each dollar counted once

Top 25 shown (Direct (own spending & gifts to candidates))

$8,252,079

All levels · Any origin

Export Top 25 · Verified public filings (25 rows ready)

Top 25 at a glance

1. INSURE THE GOOD LIFE$2,109,804

2. NE STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PAC$614,237

3. NE REALTORS PAC$435,600

4. RICKETTS$390,266

5. DNC SERVICES CORP./DEM. NAT'L COMMITTEE$345,203

6. ROYAL$327,329

7. VOTE YES FOR OPS KIDS COMMITTEE$316,613

8. BOLD ALLIANCE, INC.$304,831

9. YES TO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF$281,836

10. NRSC TARGETED STATE VICTORY FUND$279,779

11. WEITZ$277,883

12. US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE$250,000

13. PROTECT THE HOUSE$249,200

14. WITH HONOR FUND, INC.$248,077

15. SWAIN CONSTRUCTION INC.$224,000

16. CHANGE CAMPAIGN SUPER PAC$205,000

17. NEBRASKANS FOR COMMON GROUND$194,547

18. FAIR ELECTIONS LINCOLN$187,763

19. FIREFIGHTERS FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT$181,888

20. NE ASSOCIATION OF TRIAL ATTORNEYS -PAC$181,500

21. NE BANKERS STATE PAC$157,070

22. BACON VICTORY FUND$125,131

23. BOLD NEBRASKA$124,582

24. CHASTAIN$120,150

25. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP FUND$119,789

Bars are teal-green unless a party affiliation is filed (FEC committee party, or party named in a filed party committee name): Dollar amount (no party filed)RepublicanDemocraticLibertarian

#	Organization	Type	Direct amount	Gross in	Via documented intermediaries	Origin	Top recipients
1	INSURE THE GOOD LIFE NADC filings ↗ · NADC filer ID	Ballot question committee	$2,109,804	$2,109,804	$0	Unknown no state in filings	(Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804)
2	NE STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PAC NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑ Chain hops Money passed to other organizations that then spent in Nebraska (counted once, at the end of the chain): → NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $47,000 (9.2% of its $511,198 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT KRIST ($67,500); JANE SKINNER ($5,644); INSURE THE GOOD LIFE ($3,907); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($2,538) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $3,907 (0.1% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $500 (0.4% of its $136,895 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($10,902); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($10,000); BRIAN THOMMES ($5,944); COLLETT FOR LEGISLATURE ($4,586) → NE REPUBLICAN PARTY: $6,125 (0.5% of its $1,249,954 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT EVNEN ($53,541); JEAN STOTHERT ($17,213); HEATH MELLO ($10,000); HAL DAUB ($9,361) → LANCASTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $500 (1.8% of its $28,023 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($7,395) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $5,000 (0.2% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $4,600 (3.4% of its $136,895 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($10,902); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($10,000); BRIAN THOMMES ($5,944); COLLETT FOR LEGISLATURE ($4,586) → NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $10,000 (2.0% of its $511,198 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT KRIST ($67,500); JANE SKINNER ($5,644); INSURE THE GOOD LIFE ($3,907); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($2,538) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $3,907 (0.1% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → SARPY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $4,000 (8.2% of its $48,720 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: JEFFREY PARRIS ($505); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($125) → DOUGLAS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $2,150 (2.7% of its $80,669 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($42,000) → NE REPUBLICAN PARTY: $42,000 (3.4% of its $1,249,954 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT EVNEN ($53,541); JEAN STOTHERT ($17,213); HEATH MELLO ($10,000); HAL DAUB ($9,361) → LANCASTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $500 (1.8% of its $28,023 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($7,395) → LANCASTER COUNTY DEMOCRATS: $1,000 (1.4% of its $72,162 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($20,000); RACHEL GARVER ($600); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($350); ARLYN UHRMACHER ($350) → NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $20,000 (3.9% of its $511,198 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT KRIST ($67,500); JANE SKINNER ($5,644); INSURE THE GOOD LIFE ($3,907); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($2,538) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $3,907 (0.1% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $500 (0.4% of its $136,895 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($10,902); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($10,000); BRIAN THOMMES ($5,944); COLLETT FOR LEGISLATURE ($4,586) → LANCASTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $1,000 (3.6% of its $28,023 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($7,395) → NE REPUBLICAN PARTY: $7,395 (0.6% of its $1,249,954 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT EVNEN ($53,541); JEAN STOTHERT ($17,213); HEATH MELLO ($10,000); HAL DAUB ($9,361)	PAC	$614,237	$685,712	$71,475	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	CITIZENS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW ($160,000); SURVEY NEBRASKA ($109,360); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($47,000); ROBERT KRIST ($42,200) +52 more
3	NE REALTORS PAC NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑ Chain hops Money passed to other organizations that then spent in Nebraska (counted once, at the end of the chain): → NE REPUBLICAN PARTY: $800 (0.1% of its $1,249,954 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT EVNEN ($53,541); JEAN STOTHERT ($17,213); HEATH MELLO ($10,000); HAL DAUB ($9,361) → LANCASTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $500 (1.8% of its $28,023 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($7,395) → NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $400 (0.1% of its $511,198 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT KRIST ($67,500); JANE SKINNER ($5,644); INSURE THE GOOD LIFE ($3,907); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($2,538) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $3,907 (0.1% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $500 (0.4% of its $136,895 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($10,902); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($10,000); BRIAN THOMMES ($5,944); COLLETT FOR LEGISLATURE ($4,586)	PAC	$435,600	$436,800	$1,200	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	JEAN STOTHERT ($30,000); JOHN PETER RICKETTS ($30,000); JOHN ARCH ($21,000); BRETT LINDSTROM ($20,000) +80 more
4	RICKETTS no filer record · name only ⚑	Business / nonprofit	$390,266	$390,266	$0	Nebraska 99% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	JOHN PETER RICKETTS ($154,766); THERESA THIBODEAU ($25,000); MERV RIEPE ($24,000); JEAN STOTHERT ($22,500) +25 more
5	DNC SERVICES CORP./DEM. NAT'L COMMITTEE Democratic FEC filings ↗ · FEC committee ID · party: FEC committee party affiliation	Party committee	$345,203	$345,203	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: DC	NEBRASKA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($345,203)
6	ROYAL no filer record · name only ⚑	Business / nonprofit	$327,329	$327,329	$0	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	TAYLOR ROYAL ($326,629); JEAN STOTHERT ($700)
7	VOTE YES FOR OPS KIDS COMMITTEE NADC filings ↗ · NADC filer ID	Ballot question committee	$316,613	$316,613	$0	Unknown no state in filings	(Ballot measure campaign spending) ($316,613)
8	BOLD ALLIANCE, INC. NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑	501(c)(4)	$304,831	$304,831	$0	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	CHRISTA YOAKUM ($302,366); MARGARET SQUIRES ($2,176); HEATH MELLO ($290)
9	YES TO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF NADC filings ↗ · NADC filer ID	Ballot question committee	$281,836	$281,836	$0	Unknown no state in filings	(Ballot measure campaign spending) ($281,836)
10	NRSC TARGETED STATE VICTORY FUND FEC filings ↗ · FEC committee ID	PAC	$279,779	$279,779	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: VA	NEBRASKA REPUBLICAN PARTY ($279,779)
11	WEITZ no filer record · name only ⚑ Chain hops Money passed to other organizations that then spent in Nebraska (counted once, at the end of the chain): → YES! FOR WESTSIDE KIDS (DISSOLVED): $5,000 (5.3% of its $94,597 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($88,776)	Business / nonprofit	$277,883	$282,883	$5,000	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	BARBARA WEITZ ($137,693); HEATH MELLO ($44,050); MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($22,550); ROBERT KRIST ($11,700) +33 more
12	US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FEC filings ↗ · spender name matches filer name (name-only match) ⚑	Independent expenditure / Super PAC	$250,000	$250,000	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: DC	Bacon, Don (US House NE-02) (support) ($250,000)
13	PROTECT THE HOUSE FEC filings ↗ · FEC committee ID	PAC	$249,200	$249,200	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: MD	BACON, DONALD J ($249,200)
14	WITH HONOR FUND, INC. FEC filings ↗ · spender name matches filer name (name-only match) ⚑	Independent expenditure / Super PAC	$248,077	$248,077	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: VA	Bacon, Don (US House NE-02) (support) ($248,077)
15	SWAIN CONSTRUCTION INC. NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑ Chain hops Money passed to other organizations that then spent in Nebraska (counted once, at the end of the chain): → COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE OMAHA: $11,500 (10.7% of its $107,500 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($95,380)	Business	$224,000	$235,500	$11,500	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	JOHN PETER RICKETTS ($74,000); JEAN STOTHERT ($54,500); THERESA THIBODEAU ($25,000); MERV RIEPE ($13,500) +13 more
16	CHANGE CAMPAIGN SUPER PAC FEC filings ↗ · spender name matches filer name (name-only match) ⚑	Independent expenditure / Super PAC	$205,000	$205,000	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: DC	Eastman, Kara (US House NE-02) (support) ($205,000)
17	NEBRASKANS FOR COMMON GROUND NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑	PAC	$194,547	$194,547	$0	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	WILLIAM HOYT ($69,000); JANECE MOLLHOFF ($41,553); LEON LUTKEMEIER ($26,720); CHARLES KENNEDY ($20,243) +3 more
18	FAIR ELECTIONS LINCOLN NADC filings ↗ · NADC filer ID	Ballot question committee	$187,763	$187,763	$0	Unknown no state in filings	(Ballot measure campaign spending) ($187,763)
19	FIREFIGHTERS FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑ Chain hops Money passed to other organizations that then spent in Nebraska (counted once, at the end of the chain): → NE REPUBLICAN PARTY: $2,750 (0.2% of its $1,249,954 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT EVNEN ($53,541); JEAN STOTHERT ($17,213); HEATH MELLO ($10,000); HAL DAUB ($9,361) → LANCASTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $500 (1.8% of its $28,023 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($7,395) → NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $1,500 (0.3% of its $511,198 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT KRIST ($67,500); JANE SKINNER ($5,644); INSURE THE GOOD LIFE ($3,907); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($2,538) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $3,907 (0.1% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $500 (0.4% of its $136,895 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($10,902); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($10,000); BRIAN THOMMES ($5,944); COLLETT FOR LEGISLATURE ($4,586)	PAC	$181,888	$186,138	$4,250	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	HEATH MELLO ($42,604); STEVEN LATHROP ($21,000); MACHAELA CAVANAUGH ($20,000); ROBERT KRIST ($19,600) +24 more
20	NE ASSOCIATION OF TRIAL ATTORNEYS -PAC NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑	PAC	$181,500	$181,500	$0	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	STEVEN LATHROP ($83,000); SURVEY NEBRASKA ($30,000); MACHAELA CAVANAUGH ($14,500); WENDY DEBOER ($11,500) +13 more
21	NE BANKERS STATE PAC NADC filings ↗ · contributor name matches NADC filer name (name-only match) ⚑ Chain hops Money passed to other organizations that then spent in Nebraska (counted once, at the end of the chain): → NE REPUBLICAN PARTY: $3,400 (0.3% of its $1,249,954 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT EVNEN ($53,541); JEAN STOTHERT ($17,213); HEATH MELLO ($10,000); HAL DAUB ($9,361) → LANCASTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY: $500 (1.8% of its $28,023 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: NE REPUBLICAN PARTY ($7,395) → NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $450 (0.1% of its $511,198 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: ROBERT KRIST ($67,500); JANE SKINNER ($5,644); INSURE THE GOOD LIFE ($3,907); NEBRASKA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ($2,538) → INSURE THE GOOD LIFE: $3,907 (0.1% of its $3,073,019 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: (Ballot measure campaign spending) ($2,109,804) → DOUGLAS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: $500 (0.4% of its $136,895 filed receipts) · NADC itemized receipt ↗ its top recipients: MICHAEL FORSYTHE ($10,902); NE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($10,000); BRIAN THOMMES ($5,944); COLLETT FOR LEGISLATURE ($4,586)	PAC	$157,070	$160,920	$3,850	Nebraska 100% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	JOHN PETER RICKETTS ($21,500); ROBERT CLEMENTS ($9,143); MERV RIEPE ($8,500); THERESA THIBODEAU ($8,000) +44 more
22	BACON VICTORY FUND FEC filings ↗ · FEC committee ID	PAC	$125,131	$125,131	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: VA	BACON, DONALD J ($125,131)
23	BOLD NEBRASKA no filer record · name only ⚑	Business / nonprofit	$124,582	$124,582	$0	Unknown no state in filings	CHRISTA YOAKUM ($124,582)
24	CHASTAIN no filer record · name only ⚑	Business / nonprofit	$120,150	$120,150	$0	Outside NE 0% of dated amounts list a Nebraska address	LAURA EBKE ($120,150)
25	CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP FUND FEC filings ↗ · spender name matches filer name (name-only match) ⚑	Independent expenditure / Super PAC	$119,789	$119,789	$0	Outside NE FEC committee address: DC	Eastman, Kara (US House NE-02) (oppose) ($59,895); Bacon, Don (US House NE-02) (support) ($59,895)

⚑ name-only match: the contributor name on a filing matches a registered filer's name, but no ID links them; such matches are flagged and never used to merge differently named organizations. Direct counts only what an organization itself gave to candidates and non-ranked committees or spent on independent expenditures / ballot campaigns; money it gave to another ranked organization is counted at that organization instead. Via pass-through credits an intermediary's spending to its documented organizational funders in proportion to their share of its filed receipts. See methodology.