American Majority Action
American Majority Action (AMA) is a Tea Party-affiliated 501(c)(4) nonprofit "dedicated to helping the grassroots compete against career politicians and a political establishment organized against new participation." Its organizational statement is, "We believe in the free market, American individualism and the belief that when American citizens engage in the political arena, real change happens. To that end, AMA provides resources, trainings, and guidance to organizations and individuals around the country."[1] It is the arm of the closely related American Majority group that "can engage in more politically tinged activities."[2] AMA president Drew Ryun said of the group, "We are excited to have the chance to partner with Tea Parties and 912 organizations across the United States."[3]
Contents
News and Controversies
Public Watchdog Complaint Accuses AM and AMA of Violating Federal Tax Code, Concealing Donor Information
In 2020, Campaign for Accountability (CfA) filed a complaint accusing American Majority and its advocacy arm, American Majority Action (AMA), "of unlawfully putting more than half its expenses toward political activity and concealing donor information from regulators."[4] The complaint also alleges that Ned Ryun, the organization's founder and CEO, "has engaged for years in inappropriate self-dealing through a complex web of transactions."[4]
Campaign for Accountability claimed that AMA spent about 85% of its 2016 expenses on "direct and indirect political campaign activities", violating the federal law that disallows 501(c)(4) nonprofits from "engaging primarily in political activity."[4]
Additionally, CfA alleged that American Majority mislead regulators about the sources of two identical $500,000 donations in 2015 and 2016. While the 2015 donation came from Leonard Leo, the second was attributed to Donors Capital Fund (DCF). CfA alleged that neither Leo nor DCF was the true source of the $500,000 donations.[4]
Campaign Funding & Electioneering
According to the Sunlight Foundation, AMA spent $140,249.68 in the 2010 elections to support 18 Republicans (including U.S. Rep. Sean P. Duffy (R-Wis.) and Wis. Sen. Dan Kapanke (R), currently the subject of a recall campaign, in his campaign to represent Wisconsin district 3 in the U.S. House) and oppose one Democrat. "This data includes electioneering communications, which are broadcast communications not otherwise reported as independent expenditures."[5]
The Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org reported a grand total of $158,370 in independent expenditures by AMA in the 2010 Federal elections, not including electioneering communications.[6]
Activities
Voter Fraud App
AMA partnered with Freedom Speaks LLC in 2010 to create a "Voter Fraud App" for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones "to help identify, report and track suspected incidents of voter fraud and intimidation.... Reports are sent to election officials," specifically they are forwarded "to the respective secretary of states and election officials at the local level."[7][8] It features "Over 10 Issue Report Types":
- Campaigning near a poll
- Tampering with voter machines
- Voter intimidation
- Vote buying
- Illegal electioneering
- Provisional voting problems
- Poll watchers/worker issues
- Police interference
- Abnormally long lines
- Obstructing a poll worker
- Unlawfully assisting a voter
- Providing false information on a ballot application"[9][10]
AMA's Voter Fraud App FAQ page also contains the following:
"Can I enter a service request/report without taking a picture? Currently the mobile app requires a picture, however you can report issues from VoterFraudApp.com without one."[11]
Abe Sauer pointed out in a blog post on The Awl,
"In most states, election officials frown on picture taking at polling places. In 13 states they have prohibited it. Seven states actually have state laws making such photography illegal. For instance, just listen to the unambiguous language of California Election Code § 18541: 'No person shall... within 100 feet of a polling place... photograph, videotape, or otherwise record a voter entering or exiting a polling place.' How about Florida's 102.031(5): 'No photography is permitted in the polling room or early voting area.' "Or Texas (§ 61.013): 'A person may not use a wireless communication device within 100 ft. of a voting station' and 'A person may not use any mechanical or electronic means of recording images or sound within 100 feet of a voting station.'"[12]
It is unknown, after a media search, whether the app was used to report any alleged voter fraud in the 2010 elections.
Funding
AMA is not required to disclose its funders. Its major funders, however, can be found through a search of the IRS filings.
- American Federation for Children: $57,389 (2018)
- Jobs First Coalition: $400,000 (2020, 2022)
- Susan B. Anthony List: $14,000 (2012)
- Restoration of America: $1,575,626 (2021-2022)
- Wisconsin Alliance for Reform: $57,051 (2018)
Core Financials
2022[13]
- Total Revenue: $2,177,029
- Total Expenses: $1,766,887
- Net Assets: $1,055,808
2021[14]
- Total Revenue: $568,951
- Total Expenses: $742,445
- Net Assets: $582,718
2020[15]
- Total Revenue: $1,846,948
- Total Expenses: $1,221,449
- Net Assets: $781,723
2019[16]
- Total Revenue: $438,889
- Total Expenses: $385,313
- Net Assets: $272,949
2018[17]
- Total Revenue: $848,205
- Total Expenses: $1,003,236
- Net Assets: $176,714
Grants Distributed
- Wisconsin Family Action: $11,520
- Wisconsin Right to Life: $9,800
- Wisconsin Common Sense: $50,000
2017[18]
- Total Revenue: $500,065
- Total Expenses: $232,451
- Net Assets: $350,949
2016[19]
- Total Revenue: $358,483
- Total Expenses: $414,059
- Net Assets: $511,799
2015[19]
- Total Revenue: $7,722
- Total Expenses: $123,248
- Net Assets: $1,509,893
Personnel
As of July 2024:[16]
Staff
- Nathaniel Ryun, CEO
- Peter Samuelson, Secretary and Treasurer
- Lonny Leitner, Chief of Staff
- Matthew Batzel, National Executive Director
- Kelly Amorin
- Lauren Farrell, Director of Operations
- Emily Baer, Director of Communications
- Dallas Woodhouse, North Carolina Executive Director
- Tami Romo, Nevada Field Coordinator
- Jaden Smith, North Carolina Field Coordinator
- Dawn Schween, Arizona Field Coordinator
- Rebecca Wood, Nevada Executive Director
- Liz Dickinson, Virginia Director
- Tracy DuCharme, Arizona Executive Director
Former Staff The President of AMA is Drew Ryun, twin brother of American Majority leader Ned Ryun and "former Deputy Director in the political division at the Republican National Committee during the 2004 election cycle."[20]
Anita MonCrief, ACORN whistleblower, is also on the staff. Her background is at odds with that of her coworkers at AMA and its sister group American Majority. Prior to accusing ACORN's affiliate Project Vote of "rampant voter fraud" in 2008, she was employed in the Strategic Writing and Research Department of ACORN Political Operations. Before that, she "worked with the American Bar Association’s Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (ABA CEELI), the International Crisis Group, the Grameen Foundation and American Rights at Work. MonCrief has partnered with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on their mission to Macedonia as an election observer."[21] MonCrief is now a regular contributor to conservative blogs such as "Big Government, Hot Air, NetRight Daily, RedState [and] NewsReal Blog."[22] She is also "the National Spokesperson for American Majority and the Editor-in-Chief of a new website, Emerging Corruption."[23]
The Missouri Field Director is Raz Shafer.[24] Shafer is also the North Texas Field Representative for American Majority.[25]
The Pennsylvania Field Director is Martin Gillespie, "a former staffer for the Republican National Committee."[26]
Contact Information
American Majority Action
PO BOX 309
Purcellville, VA 20134
Phone: 540-338-1251
Website: https://americanmajorityaction.org/
Articles and Resources
IRS Form 990 Filings
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Files
IRS 1024 Tax-Exempt Application
Related SourceWatch articles
References
- ↑ American Majority Action About, organization website, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Alex Pappas American Majority wants to infuse new Tea Party blood in system, Daily Caller, December 21, 2010
- ↑ Debra Erdley Umbrella group intends to unify area Tea Party activists, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, September 14, 2010
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Roger Sollenberger, "Exclusive: Right-wing nonprofits hit with criminal complaint for self-dealing, tax violations", Salon, July 31, 2020, accessed June 13, 2021.
- ↑ Sunlight Foundation Follow the Unlimited Money: American Majority Action, Inc., organization report, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics American Majority Action: Outside Spending Summary 2010, OpenSecrets.org report, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ American Majority Action Voter Fraud App, organization website, 2010, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ American Majority Action FAQ, organization website, 2010, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ American Majority Action Feature Rich, organization website, 2010, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ American Majority Action FAQ, organization website, 2010, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ American Majority Action FAQ, organization website, 2010, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Abe Sauer American Majority's "Voter Fraud" App: It's a Tool for Election Law Violations, The Awl (blog), March 23, 2011
- ↑ American Majority Action 2022 990, American Majority Action, February 2, 2024.
- ↑ American Majority Action [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25038267-american-majority-action-2021-990 2021 990, American Majority Action, November 3, 2023.
- ↑ American Majority Action [1], organizational tax filing, November 15, 2021.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 American Majority Action 2019 IRS 990 tax filing, organizational tax filing, October 30, 2020.
- ↑ American Majority Action 2018 IRS 990 tax filing, organizational tax filing, November 14, 2019.
- ↑ American Majority Action 2017 IRS 990 tax filing, organizational tax filing, May 18, 2018
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 American Majority Action 2016 IRS 990 tax filing, organizational tax filing, Nov. 15 2018
- ↑ American Majority Action About, organization website, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Andrew Breitbart Anita MonCrief, BigGovernment.com profile, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Anita Moncrief Editorial Board, Emerging Corruption website, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Alexandra Nicolas American Majority Action opens headquarters today, Joplin Globe, September 13, 2010
- ↑ American Majority About the Author, organization website, accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑ Debra Erdley Umbrella group intends to unify area Tea Party activists, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, September 14, 2010
