The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
April 8, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A Virginia‑based political action committee with ties to national gambling interests has emerged as a significant - and controversial - player in Alabama's 2026 election cycle. The American Conservative Fund (ACF), an independent‑expenditure super PAC, has been saturating parts of the state with campaign mailers and television ads while raising questions about transparency and compliance with Alabama's campaign‑finance laws.
A PAC With Out‑of‑State Money and Alabama Targets
According to reporting from 1819 News, the American Conservative Fund registered with the State of Alabama in January 2025 after receiving a $500,000 contribution from Win For America, a committee funded entirely by a $2 million donation from DK Crown Holdings, Inc., the corporate entity associated with DraftKings.
Federal Election Commission filings show that ACF is an independent expenditure–only super PAC, meaning it can raise and spend unlimited funds so long as it does not coordinate directly with candidates.
Significant Spending, Limited Disclosure
By the end of 2025, ACF had spent $472,556.99 nationally, including more than $200,000 in operating expenses, leaving roughly $27,000 cash on hand. But its activity in Alabama has accelerated sharply in 2026.
Broadcast records obtained by 1819 News show the PAC has already spent $72,970 on election advertising with WHNT and $2,550 with WHDF this cycle.
What remains unclear is the total amount ACF has poured into Alabama races. Despite its visible presence in mailboxes and on television, the PAC has not filed the monthly financial reports required under Alabama's Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) for committees spending or receiving more than $1,000. State guidelines also require major‑contribution reports within two days of receiving $20,000 or more - a threshold ACF easily surpassed.
Failure to file these reports could subject the PAC to civil penalties under Alabama law.
Silence From the PAC
Attempts by reporters to contact the American Conservative Fund using the email and phone number listed on its Alabama registration have gone unanswered. Brian Smith is listed as the PAC's chairperson and treasurer.
Interestingly, while ACF has not filed required disclosures in Alabama, it has filed regular, up‑to‑date reports in other states where it is active, including North Carolina.
Impact on Alabama Races
The PAC's mailers and ads have targeted multiple legislative districts, though the full scope of its involvement remains difficult to quantify without complete financial filings. Its messaging has generally aligned with national conservative themes, but the lack of transparency has drawn scrutiny from campaign‑finance observers and some local officials.
Because ACF is a federal super PAC operating in state‑level races, its activity highlights a growing trend: national political money flowing into Alabama through independent expenditure groups, often with limited disclosure at the state level.
A Broader Pattern of Outside Influence
The American Conservative Fund's presence adds to a broader conversation about "dark money" in Alabama politics - a term used by critics to describe political spending by groups that do not fully disclose their donors or expenditures.
While Alabama law requires PACs to register and report activity, enforcement depends on timely filings. When committees fail to report, voters are left without a clear picture of who is attempting to influence their elections.
What Comes Next
As the 2026 election cycle intensifies, ACF's spending is expected to continue - and possibly expand - unless state regulators intervene or the PAC voluntarily begins filing the required disclosures.
For now, the American Conservative Fund remains one of the most active - and opaque - outside groups shaping Alabama's political landscape.
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