The green energy group targeting MAGA Republican for defeat
A green energy political action committee funded by California billionaire Chris Larsen is actively influencing Republican primaries by spending millions to oppose incumbents like Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, who recently lost his primary to Charlie hatcher. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC, which has raised $6.8 million and plans to continue its efforts, spent $2 million against Ogles, contributing to his defeat. The PAC previously targeted other Republican candidates such as chip Roy and Ralph Norman. The association aims to retaliate against political figures opposing renewable energy policies, framing their campaign as a fight for America’s energy future. Ogles attributed his loss to left-wing interference and warned that similar tactics could target Republicans nationwide. The PAC’s chairman stated their goal is to influence candidate selection, backed by industry donors pledging up to $20 million for future races.
A green energy political action committee bankrolled by a California-based billionaire is upending Republican primaries this cycle, claiming Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles as its latest victim.
The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC, primarily bankrolled by billionaire Chris Larsen, a Democratic megadonor and the chairman of the crypto company Ripple, spent $2 million opposing Ogles’s reelection campaign.
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The PAC spending was enough to topple Ogles on Thursday night, with the Tennessee Republican losing his primary to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.
A Republican operative said the outside spending “buried” Ogles in the race, as the incumbent struggled with his own fundraising and a redrawn congressional district that “essentially” made his incumbency advantage “non existent.”
The green energy committee has spent in two other races this cycle that saw two of Ogles’s fellow House Freedom Caucus members lose their bids for higher office: Chip Roy lost his bid for Texas attorney general, and Ralph Norman of South Carolina lost his gubernatorial bid.
The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC spent $1.7 million against Roy and spent $75,000 on advertisements against Norman.
Lizzie Han, a spokeswoman for the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC, told the Washington Examiner that the committee plans to spend in more races this cycle and plans to be active in both primaries and the general election on both sides of the aisle.
The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC has raised a $6.8 million war chest so far this cycle, with $6 million of that coming from Larsen, and the group says it plans to take out more candidates through the election.
“Tennessee’s 5th District just proved once again that standing in the way of America’s energy future comes with a hefty political price,” Tom Matzzie, the chairman of the PAC, said in a statement. “This is our second upset in as many primaries — first Chip Roy, now Andy Ogles – and we will continue to punish members of either party who want to play politics with American jobs, energy security, and utility prices. The entire map is in play and we will take this fight across the country through November.”
The spending against Ogles and his freedom caucus peers comes after they were part of a group that pushed GOP leadership for a shorter phaseout of renewable energy tax credits during negotiations in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Ogles told the Washington Examiner in a text message that his loss was part of a successful strategy by the “radical left” to “influence a Republican primary.”
“Republicans across the country should take notice,” Ogles wrote. “If the Left can spend millions to meddle in Republican primaries in Tennessee, they’ll do it in every red state where they think they can buy the outcome.”
The organization’s website describes the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC as a “political action committee that cares about the future,” but offers little other detail.
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Matzzie told E&E News on Friday that the PAC’s “goal” is to “make sure people choose not to cross the industry.”
The chairman also told the outlet that the committee has $20 million pledged from industry donors this cycle, which, if it comes to fruition, could have a sizable impact on future races the PAC chooses to wade into.
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