New Sen. Kelly Loeffler now has a leadership PAC

WASHINGTON -- Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler has already pledged to spend at least $20 million of her own money on her re-election bid. Now she’ll have a new way to help out her allies.

A group called the Growing Georgia PAC filed paperwork Wednesday with the Federal Elections Commission to support her campaign in November to fill the remaining two years of retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's term.

The group cannot be used to directly fund Loeffler’s bid, but it can make donations on her behalf to other candidates.

Sworn into the Senate last week, Loeffler is in the process of introducing herself to conservative voters and elected officials whose support she will need if she wants to win a November special election to remain in the Senate.

She already has Democratic challengers, including former U.S. Attorney Ed Tarver and entrepreneur Matt Lieberman. U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, a Republican from Georgia who is a prominent defender of President Donald Trump, says he is still undecided whether he will run against Loeffler as a more conservative option.

Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman, can self-fund her campaign. But the leadership PAC will assist her in raising money that she can then spread around to other Republican candidates as she works to build a coalition of her own.

Starting PACs like this one have become customary for elected federal officials, allowing them to donate to other campaigns plus use the funds for certain travel expenses. Many other politicians from both parties have set up similar committees.

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Also | Loeffler backs anti-abortion, pro-Trump measures during first week in office