In a covert operation that has raised eyebrows, the special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Republican Tennessee Representative Mark Green has become the target of a dark-money campaign.
The strategy appears to be designed to influence the outcome of the race, as revealed in documents obtained by the Daily Caller.
According to the Daily Caller, the campaign to bolster the independent candidate in Tennessees 7th District is spearheaded by the political action committee (PAC) Your Community, which leans towards the Democratic/Liberal side. On the eve of Halloween, the PAC discreetly published a poll indicating a lead of eight points for Republican Matt Van Epps over Democratic state Representative Aftyn Behn, in the run-up to the special election slated for December 2 to succeed Green.
Upon the poll's release, the group, which has ties to the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the North Fund, both of which count among their donors nonprofits associated with billionaire George Soros, initiated a mail campaign in the district. The campaign aimed to promote Independent candidate Jon Thorp, who had previously withdrawn from the GOP primary to run as an independent, as evidenced by photos obtained by the Caller.
OpenSecrets records reveal that approximately 85% of the PACs spending for the 2024 cycle was directed towards supporting Democrats, with the remaining 15% utilized in opposition to Republicans. Both funds are part of the Arabella Advisors network, which The Atlantic has dubbed the mothership of Democratic dark money, channeling hundreds of millions in anonymous donations into elections across the country.
In what seems to be a calculated move, Your Community PAC has adopted an interference strategy in the special election in the Volunteer State. The PAC ran an ad on Friday to promote Thorp, effectively sidelining the Democratic candidate in an attempt to sway the race against Republican Matt Van Epps.
OpenSecrets records show that in 2024 alone, Your Community PAC expended $16.3 million, with 77% of its budget allocated to media. The PAC intervened in major contests ranging from the presidential race to key Senate and House battles in Montana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, and Nebraska.
In addition to its extensive mail operations, Googles ad archive reveals six ads placed in Michigans 10th District and Nebraskas 2nd District, including one co-funded with David Brocks nonprofit, American Bridge, the Democrats largest rapid-response organization.
The two dark-money groups, Sixteen Thirty Fund and North Fund, continue to wield influence behind the scenes. Since 2024, North Fund has contributed $6.4 million to the PAC, while the Soros-backed Sixteen Thirty Fund has donated nearly $6.7 million, plus an additional $35,000 in in-kind support.
Your Community PACs Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings list a compliance attorney as treasurer. The Wilmington, Delaware, address on record appears to be a private residence with no publicly identifiable owner. The PAC identifies itself as Democratic/Liberal, supporting several progressive causes, such as expanded abortion access, according to OpenSecrets records.
Van Epps, who served as Tennessees commissioner of General Services until June, emerged from a crowded GOP primary with ten opponents. He is the only candidate to secure President Donald Trumps endorsement, adding to early backing from Green and Republicans Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, according to an NBC News report.
Mark Green, a retired U.S. Army officer who has represented Tennessees 7th Congressional District since 2019, submitted his resignation in July following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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