TestPAC

TestPAC
TestPAC Official Logo
Motto An internet-based campaign for defending American freedoms
Formation 2012
Purpose net neutrality, civil liberties
Headquarters Phoenix, AZ
Treasurer
 Mitch Manzella
Website http://www.testpac.org

TestPAC (formerly known as "TestPAC, Please Ignore") is a crowdfunded, non-connected political action committee in the United States. Its Chairman is Jeromie Whalen. It is best known for its 2012 campaign to defeat incumbent U.S. Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) in response to the Congressman's introduction of the Stop Online Piracy Act and H.R.1981 [1]

History

TestPAC was registered with the Federal Election Commission on January 31, 2012.[2] TestPAC started when several members of the Reddit community initiated a netroots boycott of GoDaddy.com and "Operation Pull Ryan", where Reddit members helped Paul Ryan's opponent, Rob Zerban raise $15,000 in 48 hours.[3] When Ryan eventually came out in opposition of SOPA, activists Andy Posterick and Jeromie Whalen formed a political action committee for potential future campaigns.[4]

TestPAC was originally registered as "TestPAC, Please Ignore." The name is a play on an inside joke on Reddit;[5] the site's most popular post ever was titled “Test Post, Please Ignore.” [6]

Overview

TestPAC crowdsources its mission, goals and campaigns from its member-base on the PAC's discussion forum on Reddit. Although most decisions are made in online discussions, major decisions are put to an official vote on the PAC's website. So far, the organization has held two official votes: one asking members whether to campaign against Lamar Smith and one to decide on a concept for a billboard advertisement.

TestPAC primarily relies on crowdfunding as a means of fundraising and solicits donations on social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit.[7]

Current campaigns

In February 2012, TestPAC members voted between removing 13-term incumbent Lamar Smith from office or Campaign Finance Reform for the PAC's first target issue. With 63% of the vote, members elected to start a campaign against Lamar Smith.[8] The campaign was officially titled "Mr. Smith Comes Back From Washington".[9]

TestPAC had chosen this campaign primarily because of Rep. Smith's support of the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act and introduction of H.R. 1981.[10] The primary strategy for accomplishing this is encouraging registered Republicans and Democrats to vote in the May 29th semi-open Republican Primary against Smith.[11][12]

On April 4, 2012, TestPAC released its first television commercial [13]

Leadership

Test PAC's leadership structure is volunteer-based and open to anyone. The PAC lists several officers on its website who organize operational elements of the PAC's campaigns and manage day-to-day operations of the organization. According to the Federal Election Commission, Andrew J Posterick is registered as the PAC Treasurer.[14]

Because Test PAC membership and involvement is open to anyone, several members also volunteer for the PAC in unlisted, advisory roles in areas such as community outreach, media outreach and opposition research.

References

  1. ↑ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.1981:
  2. ↑ http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00511055
  3. ↑ "Reddit Forces Paul Ryan to Play Defense on SOPA – The Atlantic Wire". The Atlantic Wire. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Meet TestPAC: An upstart political action committee that calls Reddit home – The Next Web". The Next Web. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  5. ↑ http://thenextweb.com/us/2012/03/30/meet-testpac-an-upstart-political-action-committee-that-calls-reddit-home/
  6. ↑ http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/92dd8/test_post_please_ignore/
  7. ↑ "Internet PAC Goes After Lamar Smith – RollCall". Roll Call. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "What Should TestPAC's First Target Issue Be?". TestPAC. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "TestPAC Aims To Unseat Lamar Smith Washington". DailyTexan. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "TestPAC Aims To Unseat Lamar Smith Washington". DailyTexan. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "How To Defeat Smith". TestPAC. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Mad about SOPA, grassroots group tries to defeat Rep. Lamar Smith". Houston Chronicle. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  13. ↑ "Dear Mr. Smith". TestPAC. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  14. ↑ http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_detail/C00511055/
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