Citizens for Strength and Security Fund is a political action committee run by a Democratic consultant. Much of the fund’s money has come from labor unions and left-of-center groups. The fund has been involved in political races from U.S. Senate to local mayoral contests. The leader of Citizens for Strength and Fund has strong ties to former U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-NC) and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

History

Citizens for Strength and Security Fund was formed in 2008 as a 527 political organization by former John Edwards for President treasurer Lora Haggard. ¹ Also in 2008, Haggard formed the 527 Citizens for Safety and Security, funded by labor unions. ²

Advocacy

In 2008, Citizens for Strength and Security Fund ran advertisements against then-Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS). ³ With the assistance of $700,000 from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and $100,000 from Citizens for Safety and Security, the fund expanded to target Senate candidate John N. Kennedy (R-LA). ⁴ Citizens for Safety and Security has been funded by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Laborers International Union of North America. ⁵

In 2021, it was reported that Citizens for Strength and Security Fund was behind billboards in the Bayonne, New Jersey mayoral race that attacked the mayor during the state’s League of Municipalities meeting in Atlantic City. ⁶ The fund continued advocacy efforts against the mayor leading up to the May 2022 primary. ⁷

Finances

In 2019, Citizens for Strength and Security Fund had net assets of $148,288. ⁸ According to the organization’s tax returns, in 2019 the fund recorded $25,000 in revenue and $128,217 in expenses. ⁹ In 2018, Citizens for Strength and Security Fund raised $386,516 in revenue and $167,885 in expenses. ¹⁰ From 2015-2019, Citizens for Strength and Security Fund has spent more than $900,000 in digital and paid media, phone calls, polling, research, and outreach. ¹¹

In 2014, Citizens for Strength and Security Fund received $300,000 from Patriot Majority USA, an organization that left-of-center Center for Public Integrity called a “liberal heavyweight.” ¹² In 2012, the Fund received $600,000 from the Committee for American Fairness and $270,000 from the League of Conservation Voters. ¹³ In 2011, Citizens for Strength and Security Fund received $250,000 from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association and $250,000 from Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care. ¹⁴

Leadership

Lora Haggard is president and treasurer of Citizens for Strength and Security Fund. ¹⁵ Haggard has also been a partner at Democratic Blue Wave Political Partners since 2014. ¹⁶ From 2009 through 2014, Haggard was a partner at H+P Political Compliance. ¹⁷ From 2001-2009, Haggard was a principal at LMH Political Compliance Consulting. ¹⁸ Haggard was comptroller of the Florida Democratic Party from 1997 through 2001. ¹⁹ Haggard was treasurer for John Edwards for President twice and Bernie Sanders for President in 2016 and 2020. ²⁰ Haggard was also director of the John Edwards-affiliated groups New American Optimists and One America Committee. ²¹ In 2004, Haggard, with other former Edwards aides, formed Citizens for a Strong Senate that spent millions on attack ads against Republican Senate candidates. ²²

1. Evans, Will. “Another Vague 527 Name, Another Attack Ad.” NPR. October 3, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/blogs/secretmoney/2008/10/another_vague_527_name_another.html; “We Believe in Teamwork.” Blue Wave Politics. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.bluewavepolitics.com/our-team-1.
2. Evans, Will. “Union Power – More Than Meets the Eye.” NPR. October 30, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/sections/secretmoney/2008/10/union_power.html.
3. Evans, Will. “Union Power – More Than Meets the Eye.” NPR. October 30, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/sections/secretmoney/2008/10/union_power.html.
4. Evans, Will. “Union Power – More Than Meets the Eye.” NPR. October 30, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/sections/secretmoney/2008/10/union_power.html.
5. Evans, Will. “Union Power – More Than Meets the Eye.” NPR. October 30, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/sections/secretmoney/2008/10/union_power.html.
6. Heinis, John. “’Dirty Davis Does AC: DC-Based Super PAC Buys Billboard Attacking Bayonne Mayor During League.” Hudson County View. November 16, 2021. https://hudsoncountyview.com/dirty-davis-does-ac-dc-based-super-pac-buys-billboard-attacking-bayonne-mayor-during-league/.
7. Heinis, John. “Team Davis: ‘We Demand that [Ashe-Nadrowski] Identify Who Is Funding Her Dark Money Group.’” Hudson County View. March 17, 2022. https://hudsoncountyview.com/team-davis-we-demand-that-ashe-nadrowski-identify-who-is-funding-her-dark-money-group/.
8. Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019.
9. Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019.
10. Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2018.
11. Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019; Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2018; Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2017; Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2016; Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2015.
12. Center for Responsive Politics. “Citizens for Strength and Security Fund.” 2014. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/political-nonprofits/receipts?cycle=2014&id=274510380; Patel, Julie. “Liberal Heavyweight Patriot Majority USA Fueled By Secret, Big-Dollar Donors.” Center for Public Integrity. December 3, 2013. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://publicintegrity.org/politics/liberal-heavyweight-patriot-majority-usa-fueled-by-secret-big-dollar-donors/.
13. Center for Responsive Politics. “Citizens for Strength and Security Fund.” 2012. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/political-nonprofits/receipts?cycle=2012&id=274510380.
14. Center for Responsive Politics. “Citizens for Strength and Security Fund.” 2011. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/political-nonprofits/receipts?cycle=2012&id=274510380.
15. Citizens for Strength and Security Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019.
16. “Lora Haggard.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 21, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-haggard-b1570537/.
17. “Lora Haggard.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 21, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-haggard-b1570537/.
18. “Lora Haggard.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 21, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-haggard-b1570537/.
19. “Lora Haggard.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 21, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-haggard-b1570537/.
20. “We Believe in Teamwork.” Blue Wave Politics. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.bluewavepolitics.com/our-team-1.
21. Evans, Will. “Another Vague 527 Name, Another Attack Ad.” NPR. October 3, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/blogs/secretmoney/2008/10/another_vague_527_name_another.html
22. Evans, Will. “Another Vague 527 Name, Another Attack Ad.” NPR. October 3, 2008. Accessed May 21, 2023. https://www.npr.org/blogs/secretmoney/2008/10/another_vague_527_name_another.html