As PA’s Richest Man Jeffrey Yass Becomes Second Largest Political Spender Nationally, All Eyes on Yass Raises Alarm on Manipulation of Political Landscape and Policy
“Yass’s spending is setting the groundwork for him to pull the strings in next year’s state budget.”
PHILADELPHIA – A new analysis of election spending by the All Eyes on Yass campaign revealed that Jeffrey Yass, Pennsylvania’s wealthiest individual, is now the second largest political donor in the country, contributing a staggering $80 million to federal PACs supporting right-wing causes this year alone, while also ramping up his spending in Pennsylvania.
The All Eyes On Yass campaign has put the spotlight on Yass’s outsized political influence, and continues sounding the alarm on Yass’s skyrocketing spending as a concerted effort to control key elections and push his personal agenda, namely privatizing public schools and avoiding paying taxes, while manipulating the political landscape.
Key takeaways of the All Eyes on Yass election spending analysis include:
Yass is the second largest political donor nationally, spending $80 million this year alone.
Yass spent $35 million ($19 million and $15 million to Students First, and $1 million to Pennsylvania Rising) on Pennsylvania state elections so far this cycle, a significant increase from his $22 million spent in 2022.
Yass has spent more on Pennsylvania elections than the top 10 corporate PACs combined.
Aly Shaw, Research Analyst at Little Sis and member of the All Eyes on Yass campaign, said:
“This influx in spending underscores Yass’s growing fixation on Pennsylvania's political scene, with a specific focus on key races that will shape the state’s budget and financial priorities for years to come – ensuring his influence over our state’s long-term fiscal policies. Yass’s spending is setting the groundwork for him to pull the strings in next year’s state budget, aiming to expand school voucher programs that would divert critical funding from public schools, eroding opportunities for the students and families who need them most.”
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC SCHOOL POLICY
Nationally, Yass is funding five PACs, two of which are focused on privatization and defunding public schools. Yass’s School Freedom Fund and AFC Victory Fund have spent millions in Texas and Tennessee to defeat pro public school republicans in those states. In Pennsylvania, Yass is spending significantly on the Attorney General race, pouring $6 million into Dave Sunday’s campaign via two political funds: the Commonwealth Children’s Choice Fund, which promotes school vouchers, and the Commonwealth Leaders Fund.
