A solar-backed political action committee spent $17 million targeting Republican lawmakers who opposed clean energy incentives, with most of its targeted candidates losing their congressional races, according to Canary Media. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition (ITC) is now looking toward the 2028 presidential primaries after reporting 19 favorable outcomes across 23 races.
The super PAC, funded and led by solar entrepreneurs and investors, entered the 2026 election cycle with plans to spend millions on advertising against politicians who sought to weaken clean energy policies.
Solar-Backed PAC Targets Republican Lawmakers
The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition focused on Republican lawmakers who had opposed clean energy initiatives, particularly those who supported repealing the Inflation Reduction Act.
During the midterm primaries, the group targeted six races and achieved its desired outcomes in all of them. Its advertisements did not directly mention renewable energy. Instead, they focused on political messaging designed to appeal to voters, including portraying conservative lawmakers as insufficiently supportive of the MAGA movement.
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The PAC expanded its campaign during the general election, becoming involved in 17 congressional races. According to chairman Tom Matzzie, many of the targeted districts had previously supported President Donald Trump by double-digit margins. The group reported achieving its desired results in 13 of those races, including the apparent defeat of Republican Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. Four of its targeted candidates won their elections.
Group Reports $17 Million in Election Spending
The PAC spent approximately $17 million throughout the election cycle and reported 19 favorable outcomes across 23 targeted races, representing an 83% success rate. Among the Republicans who signed a May 2025 letter calling for the full repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act, 40% will not be returning to Congress, Matzzie told Canary Media.
However, the group was not solely responsible for the Republican losses. The elections unfolded against a broader political backdrop that included rising living costs, international conflict and dissatisfaction with the Republican-controlled government. The PAC also deliberately selected districts where Democratic candidates had limited financial support. In Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, ITC spent more on advertising than either candidate’s campaign, making it the largest spender in the race.
The group has also drawn criticism from targeted lawmakers. Boebert publicly questioned its advertising strategy, arguing that the PAC concealed its opposition to their energy policies by focusing on unrelated political issues.
What’s Next
The election results highlight how political spending can influence debates over renewable energy and federal climate policies. By targeting lawmakers who opposed clean energy incentives, the solar-backed PAC is attempting to make opposition to these measures carry political consequences, potentially affecting how members of Congress approach future energy legislation.
Why It Matters
The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition plans to remain active through the 2028 presidential primaries, using its campaign spending to push candidates toward supporting clean energy policies and challenge those who have opposed them. Chairman Tom Matzzie said the organization has no plans to withdraw from political advocacy, suggesting that the solar industry’s influence on future elections will remain a priority.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One's news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from Canary Media's reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details. The original story was reported by Julian Spector.
