Kelly Loeffler

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and her husband Jeff Sprecher wait for the beginning of a ceremonial swearing-in at the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. A super-PAC that raised $16.9 million to oppose one of Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler’s challengers in the November 3 special election in Georgia received nearly two-thirds of its money from one of the senator’s very, very close allies: her husband. Jeff Sprecher, who is the CEO of financial firm Intercontinental Exchange, contributed $10.5 million to a super-PAC called Georgia United Victory, making him the largest individual donor to the group between July and Election Day, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday. Super-PACs like Georgia United can raise unlimited sums from anyone and advertise in support of or against a particular candidate, though they cannot coordinate their spending with campaigns. While the group spent nearly $15 million on ads opposing Loeffler’s challenger, Republican Representative Doug Collins, ahead of the November special election, it now appears to be widening its mission to support both Loeffler and fellow Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue. Other super-PACs, like the pro-GOP Senate Leadership Fund, are also spending big money on the runoff election in January, which will decide the party that controls the U.S. Senate.