Dark Money Group Led by Corporate Lobbyists Funds Pro

The shadow super PAC bankrolling ads for Rep. Haley Stevens in her race to be the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan is almost entirely funded by Center Forward, a centrist “dark money” group headed by corporate lobbyists, a new FEC filing reveals. A Stronger Michigan was formed in early June and has spent over $13 million in its first seven weeks, all on ads backing Stevens. Sludge first reported last month that the super PAC had apparent ties to Center Forward and board member Jefferies Murray, which CEO Cori Kramer denied at the time. On Monday, Kramer maintained that Center Forward is not “legally affiliated” with A Stronger Michigan, adding in an email to Sludge, "Center Forward has always, and will continue to support candidates and elected leaders who focus on solving problems.” ”We're proud to stand with the voters of Michigan in supporting Haley Stevens," Kramer said. Stevens’ campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Since A Stronger Michigan is largely funded by a nonprofit, it is impossible to trace who exactly is funding the pro-Stevens ads, because nonprofits are not required to publicly disclose donors. But one of Center Forward’s top known contributors is the drug industry’s chief lobbying group, or PhRMA. In the Michigan Senate race, Stevens’ opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, has campaigned on Medicare for All, which would overhaul private health insurance and shrink the drug industry’s profits. Other Center Forward donors have included electric utility PG&E, trade association the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and lobbying giant the Business Roundtable, according to Sludge’s review of tax filings. Center Forward also has ties to the defense industry. Board chair Robert Cramer and board member Murray have long lobbied for Northrop Grumman, one of the largest weapons manufacturers in the world, which has profited from the ongoing war in Iran and what international observers like a U.N. Commission of Inquiry describe as Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Cramer has also lobbied for Leidos, another beneficiary of U.S. wars.