Simone Lawson
Southwest Airlines has a policy of directing funds to political campaigns that will further its corporate interests. The company primarily uses its affiliated political action committee, the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (or the Southwest Airlines Political Action Committee), which is financed by voluntary employee contributions, to support political campaigns. Company funds are used to support selected political campaigns at the state and local levels, in compliance with relevant laws. Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has donated to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC, a political action committee that supports Republican senatorial campaigns. The committee's spending in 2019 included a $60,000 donation to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a $45,000 donation to NRSC Victory, with money also sent to groups affiliated with several other Republican politicians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political Action Committee | Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC |
| Donation Amount | $60,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $45,000 to NRSC Victory |
| Donation Recipients | Groups affiliated with Republican politicians including John James, Tom Cotton, Jim Inhofe, Joni Ernst, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell |
| Southwest Airlines' Policy on Political Campaign Contributions | Support selected political campaigns at the state and local levels in compliance with relevant laws; use affiliated political action committee, the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (Freedom Fund), financed through voluntary employee contributions |
| Southwest Airlines' Evaluation Process for Political Campaign Contributions | Time-tested evaluation process for SWAPAC contribution requests; criteria for giving are evaluated annually |
| Disclosure of Contributions | All contributions by the SWAPAC are disclosed via publicly available reports filed monthly with the Federal Election Commission |
| Compliance with Campaign Finance Restrictions and Disclosure Requirements | Strive to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local campaign finance restrictions and disclosure requirements |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly's donations
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has donated to political campaigns in the past. In 2019, ahead of the 2020 election, Kelly donated to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC, a political action committee that supports Republican senatorial campaigns. The committee has backed several controversial Republican candidates, including Roy Moore, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. Kelly's donation was in line with other airline CEOs, such as United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz and American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, who also contributed to the same committee.
Gary Kelly served as the CEO and chairman of Southwest Airlines until his retirement in November 2024. Kelly joined Southwest Airlines in 1986 as a controller and worked his way up, becoming the CFO and vice president of finance in 1989. In 2001, he was promoted to Executive Vice President, and in 2004, he became the CEO and vice chairman. Kelly's tenure as CEO saw several large-scale initiatives, including the introduction of new aircraft, the launch of Southwest's first international service, and large expansion projects.
In June 2024, activist investment fund Elliott Investment Management took a $1.9 billion position in Southwest and sought to oust Kelly, blaming the company's failure to evolve and modernize. However, Southwest stood by Kelly, citing confidence in his ability to execute the company's strategic plan. The issue was eventually resolved through a settlement, which allowed Kelly to accelerate his retirement plans.
Kelly has also been involved in other controversies during his time as CEO. In December 2021, he testified against mask mandates on airplanes, and two days later, he tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, in December 2022, Southwest experienced severe delays and flight cancellations due to issues with their crew scheduling system, resulting in a $140 million fine and significant losses. The union blamed the crisis on Kelly's leadership, criticizing his top-down decision-making approach.
Barack Obama's Political Campaign: Where Did the Money Come From?
You may want to see also
Southwest Airlines' affiliated political action committee
Southwest Airlines does not contribute directly to political campaigns. Instead, it channels funds to candidates through its affiliated political action committee, the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (Freedom Fund). This committee is financed through voluntary employee contributions and supports political campaigns at the state and local levels in compliance with relevant laws. All contributions are approved by the Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Real Estate and overseen by the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer.
The Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund has made notable contributions to various groups and individuals. In 2019, ahead of the 2020 election, the fund donated to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC, a committee with a history of backing Republican senatorial campaigns. This included support for controversial figures such as Roy Moore of Alabama. The fund contributed $60,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $45,000 to NRSC Victory, a related committee. It also provided financial support to groups affiliated with Republican politicians like John James, Tom Cotton, Jim Inhofe, Joni Ernst, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In addition to the Freedom Fund, Southwest Airlines is associated with other political action committees. One such committee is the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association Political Action Committee (SWAPA PAC), registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) since 2000. However, specific details on the contributions made by SWAPA PAC are not readily available.
It is worth noting that Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has also made personal donations to political action committees. Alongside CEOs from other airlines, Kelly contributed to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC ahead of the 2020 election. This marked a shift, as none of these aviation executives had donated to the committee in previous election cycles.
Campaign Managers: Political and Marketing Strategists?
You may want to see also
Donations to Republican-leaning groups
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has donated to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC, a political action committee that supports Republican senatorial campaigns. The committee's spending in 2019 included a $60,000 donation to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a $45,000 donation to NRSC Victory, a related committee. It also contributed money to groups affiliated with several Republican politicians, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In addition to CEO Gary Kelly's personal donations, Southwest Airlines has an affiliated political action committee called the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (Freedom Fund) or the Southwest Airlines Political Action Committee (SWAPAC). This committee is financed by voluntary employee contributions and supports selected political campaigns at the state and local levels. The company itself affirms a policy of directing funds to political campaigns that align with its corporate interests.
While the specific amounts donated by the Freedom Fund or SWAPAC are not publicly available, Southwest Airlines strives to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local campaign finance restrictions and disclosure requirements. An annual summary of the company's political campaign contributions is provided to the Southwest Board of Directors.
Southwest Airlines and its CEO Gary Kelly have demonstrated a pattern of donating to Republican-leaning groups and politicians. The company's affiliated political action committee, the Freedom Fund or SWAPAC, also contributes to selected political campaigns, primarily at the state and local levels, with a focus on aligning with the company's corporate interests.
Jackson's Campaign: Shaping Political Culture
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Donations to Democratic-leaning groups
Southwest Airlines has a policy of directing funds to political campaigns that will further its corporate interests. The airline primarily uses its affiliated political action committee, the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (or the Southwest Airlines Political Action Committee), which is financed through voluntary employee contributions. Company funds are limited to supporting selected political campaigns at the state and local levels.
The Southwest Airlines CEO, Gary Kelly, donated to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC ahead of the 2020 election. This political action committee has a history of supporting Republican senatorial campaigns, including those of Roy Moore and other polarising figures. However, traditional committees representing aviation industry workers have also contributed to both Democratic and Republican candidates.
Southwest Airlines itself has not reported any outside spending in the 2024 election cycle. However, the airline does partner with national and local organisations to support services focused on preparedness, response, building resilience, and living responsibly. The company claims to operate with the highest ethical standards and has adopted a time-tested evaluation process for considering contribution requests, with criteria that are evaluated annually.
OpenSecrets, a research group tracking money in U.S. politics, provides insights into campaign expenditures, donations to politicians, and lobbying activity. Their data reveals the flow of money from various organisations, including Southwest Airlines, to political campaigns and committees.
Target's Political Leanings: Which Party Does It Support?
You may want to see also
Southwest Airlines' policy on political contributions
Southwest Airlines has a policy of directing funds to political campaigns that will advance its corporate interests. The airline's political action committee, the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (Freedom Fund), is financed through employee contributions and used to support political campaigns. In addition, the company also uses its funds to support selected political campaigns at the state and local levels, in compliance with relevant laws. All political campaign contributions are approved by the Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Real Estate and overseen by the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer.
According to OpenSecrets, an organization that tracks money in U.S. politics, Southwest Airlines reported contributions totalling $1,398,830 and lobbying efforts of $1,000,000 in the 2024 cycle. However, the organization itself did not report any outside spending during this election cycle. It is worth noting that organizations cannot contribute directly to candidates or party committees, so these figures include spending by affiliates.
In 2019, ahead of the 2020 US elections, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly donated $2,500 to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC, a committee known for its support of Republican nominees and senators. This committee has been associated with some of the most right-wing and controversial nominees of the Republican Party. The same year, the committee donated $60,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $45,000 to NRSC Victory, another related committee.
Southwest Airlines' political contributions have been aligned with the Republican Party, which has opposed certain consumer protection and transparency laws in the airline industry. The airline's CEO, Gary Kelly, has expressed his support for the Republican Party through his donations, and the company's political action committee has directed its spending towards Republican candidates and causes.
LTEs: Political Campaigning's Powerful Tool for Persuasion
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Southwest Airlines has an affiliated political action committee called the Southwest Airlines Co. Freedom Fund (Freedom Fund) that is financed by voluntary employee contributions. The company has stated that it will primarily use this committee to support political campaigns, while company funds will be limited to supporting selected campaigns at the state and local level. Southwest Airlines has not disclosed the total amount donated to political campaigns.
All political campaign contributions made by the Freedom Fund or directly by Southwest Airlines are approved by the company's Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Real Estate and overseen by the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has donated to the Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC, which has supported Republican senatorial campaigns, including that of Roy Moore. The PAC is nominally associated with Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi but has also supported other Republican politicians such as John James, Tom Cotton, Jim Inhofe, and Joni Ernst.
Southwest Airlines has stated that it directs funds to political campaigns that will bolster its corporate efforts. The company strives to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local campaign finance restrictions and disclosure requirements, and contributions by its affiliated political action committee, SWAPAC, are disclosed via publicly available reports filed monthly with the Federal Election Commission.
