Clean Energy PAC Wins Fifth GOP Primary
A clean energy super PAC has secured its fifth Republican primary victory, spending $1 million to defeat Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina.
A clean energy super PAC financed by solar entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley venture capitalists has notched its fifth Republican primary win. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition spent $1 million to help Darline Graham defeat Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina's Senate primary on Tuesday, according to a report from Inside Climate News.
The group's long-term goal is to alter the psychology within the Republican caucus regarding renewable energy. It aims to demonstrate that, similar to the fossil fuel lobby, the clean energy industry can be politically "lethal." This shapes its tactical approach.
"In a Republican primary, a candidate's fidelity to Trump is one of the most important topics," said Tom Matzzie, CEO of CleanChoice Energy and chair of the ITC. "If that is what works, that is what we are going to spend money on."
Consequently, the PAC's television ads avoided clean energy messaging. Instead, they borrowed language from the Republican right, declaring "Ralph Norman is a MAGA traitor" and "Trump doesn't want him. Why would we?"
The Revenge Tour
Matzzie stated the focus has been on accountability over advocacy. "We are trying to create chatter amongst members of Congress, that Ralph Norman betrayed the industry and the industry held him accountable for it," he said.
Norman was a former co-chair of the Congressional Solar Caucus. However, since 2024 he had sought distance from that role after Silfab Solar received a $5 million grant to open a plant in his district. The facility, which uses hazardous chemicals, became unpopular locally. Last summer, Norman pushed for repealing Biden-era renewable tax credits and secured a promise from President Trump to accelerate phasing out wind and solar subsidies.
The ITC's efforts began after Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in October 2025, which rolled back Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. Frustrated by clean energy trade groups' response, Matzzie and Aligned Climate Capital CEO Peter Davidson convened a dozen acquaintances to pool money. Their first target was Texas Rep. Chip Roy, who claimed the bill would terminate over 90% of future wind and solar projects. The group spent $1.7 million against Roy, and his loss in late May was their proof of concept.
To find targets, the group reviewed signatories of a House Freedom Caucus letter calling for a full IRA repeal. It looked for members who publicly demanded deeper cuts to subsidies. Lawmakers with upcoming primaries were identified, and Matzzie dubbed the resulting plan the "Revenge Tour Matrix."
The following table outlines key primary races the ITC has engaged in, based on figures from the source:
| State | District/Race | Candidate Supported | Candidate Opposed | ITC Spending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | Senate Primary | Darline Graham | Rep. Ralph Norman | $1 million | Graham won |
| Tennessee | 5th Congressional District | Charlie Hatcher | Rep. Andy Ogles | $2 million | Hatcher won |
| Texas | Attorney General Runoff | (Opposed Chip Roy) | Rep. Chip Roy | $1.7 million | Roy lost |
| Iowa | Primary | Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks | (Supported) | $125,000 | Miller-Meeks won |
Strategy and Criticism
The group's intention is to show lawmakers face a political price for crossing the industry. While all targeted candidates have been Republicans, Matzzie clarified Democrats deemed insufficiently supportive would not be exempt. He hinted a future intervention could be in a Democratic primary.
Edward Maibach, founding director of George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication, sees such political action as critical. "The fossil fuel industry is the strongest political voice in America, in the world," Maibach said. "The only way the clean energy industry can fight back is to fight fire with fire."
However, Maibach believes the absence of clean energy messaging in ads "is a big strategic error." He links growing GOP support for renewables to energy affordability concerns. A 2026 Pew Research Center study found 71% of Republicans now prioritize fossil fuels over wind and solar, doubling from six years ago.
Matthew Grimley, a University of Minnesota energy policy researcher, said the fossil fuel industry has used such tactics for decades. While he called it "cool" to see solar "fighting fire with fire," he said corporate money in politics is "bad news overall."
The effort has grown rapidly. In late June, Ripple founder Chris Larsen gave the ITC $5 million. Federal Election Commission records show the group raised $6.78 million in the first half of 2026. For now, the focus remains on defeating adversaries, though Matzzie said electing allies could eventually become part of the formula.
