Allies of Senator JD Vance from Ohio are preparing a major effort to support Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign by launching a super PAC called Turnout for America. The campaign, which aims to mobilize swing-state voters, is expected to cost $45 million, according to a memo distributed to potential donors. Christopher Buskirk, a close associate of Mr. Vance and a key player in the initiative, has been working with the senator to establish a donor network, drawing support from some of Trump’s wealthiest supporters.
The memo, seen by The New York Times, reveals that Turnout for America has already trained at least 945 canvassers who are ready to be deployed across seven critical battleground states. The organization is finalizing an agreement to share data and coordinate voter mobilization efforts with the Trump campaign, according to sources familiar with the initiative. In the week before the memo was circulated, the super PAC had already received more than $5 million in donations and commitments, and it is actively working to raise the remaining funds needed to reach its $45 million target.
Buskirk, who has a background in the insurance industry and runs a venture-capital firm called 1789 Capital, has strong connections with tech donors. His firm focuses on investing in companies and products favored by conservatives. Turnout for America’s efforts come at a time when Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, is experiencing a surge in fundraising and organizing support following President Biden’s withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of her. Harris’s campaign recently announced that it had raised over $200 million, gained 170,000 new volunteers, and begun building ground operations in states previously considered challenging for the Biden campaign.
Harris’s campaign has set its sights on several key states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, as well as the “blue wall” states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These are the same states that Turnout for America plans to target, with the possibility of expanding to include more Democratic-leaning states like Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia if polling and trends justify it. The super PAC intends to use an innovative artificial intelligence tool to monitor performance data in real-time and provide personalized feedback to canvassers in the field.
The group plans to employ a mix of paid and volunteer canvassers to engage low- and mid-propensity voters. The 945 canvassers mentioned in the memo include those trained by the super PAC and its partners, some of whom will be deployed only in the final stages of the campaign. The organization’s website is currently accepting applications for full-time paid, part-time paid, and volunteer canvasser positions. Unlike many super PACs, Turnout for America will focus solely on field operations, avoiding involvement in paid media campaigns. The memo emphasizes that the group will work in close coordination with the Trump campaign.
Turnout for America is one of several new pro-Trump organizations taking advantage of recent Federal Election Commission guidance that allows outside groups to coordinate field activities with campaigns without breaching coordination bans that apply to advertising. Another new group, America PAC, co-founded by Elon Musk, is also exploring data-sharing agreements with the Trump campaign to support canvassing efforts in battleground states.
Buskirk and Vance’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to secure significant financial support from major donors within the tech industry. Vance was chosen as Trump’s running mate in part because of his connections with these influential donors. The Rockbridge Network, a donor collective founded by Buskirk, has been instrumental in these efforts. Members of the network, including prominent figures like Peter Thiel, Rebekah Mercer, Steve Wynn, and David Sacks, are required to contribute at least $100,000 annually to recommended programs. The group’s recent conference at Mar-a-Lago featured appearances by Trump, Vance, and Donald Trump Jr.
As Turnout for America continues to build momentum, it remains to be seen which donors have contributed to the cause. The group will disclose its donors to the FEC in October, providing further insight into the financial backing behind this major political initiative. Buskirk, known for his publication American Greatness, has a significant following within Trump’s circle, further solidifying his role in this concerted effort to mobilize voter support in key states.
