PUBLIC RESEARCH DOSSIER · PAC
Way Back PAC
67 published research records · Latest research 2026-09-18
LIVING DOSSIER
About Way Back PAC
Defend and Protect Idaho’s profile lists Way Back PAC as its largest contributor at $400,000 and Redbird Strategies as a major broadcast-advertising vendor. Contemporary reporting says Way Back PAC also sent large sums to Hometown Heroes and Idaho First—two other committees that paid Redbird. This creates a common upstream-funder/common-vendor pattern worth tracing. However, the precise Wyoming addresses do not match: Way Back PAC’s official FEC address is 30 N Gould St, Suite 4205, Sheridan, WY 82801, while Idaho Redbird’s formation filing uses 1309 Coffeen Ave, Suite 1200, Sheridan, WY 82801. Sheridan city overlap is therefore not an identity bridge. Way Back PAC is FEC committee C00824342, registered September 2, 2022, treasurer Ryan Lance. Its 2025–2026 FEC summary shows $5,185,803.26 in receipts, of which $5,039,967.01 are classified as 'Other Receipts,' and $5,006,499.51 in disbursements, of which $4,825,428.22 are 'Other Disbursements.' Those broad categories require transaction-level tracing before inferring source or purpose. No Cothren link established.
From the published research record Way Back PAC funded the same Idaho PAC network that paid Redbird; exact-address match is negative (2026-09-17). Recorded status: Verified common funding/vendor pattern; exact-address identity bridge disproved; source-of-funds and control remain unresolved. Read the record for sources and qualifications. This excerpt has not yet been composed into an editorial biography.
FOLLOW THE RECORD
Connections
These links have a specific explanation in a published research record. Role statements drawn directly from those records retain their wording; open the record for sources, dates, and limits.
People
Jonah Meyers
Stated in published researchWay Back PAC changed from no connected organization in 2023 to Western Futures Fund in 2026 while Jonah Meyers remained assistant treasurer.
Read record and sources →Colin Nash
Stated in published researchWay Back PAC directly funded Votes Idaho executive director Colin Nash in both 2023 and 2025.
Read record and sources →Pamela Gilbert
Stated in published researchHalfon as president and Pamela Gilbert as treasurer/secretary; ProPublica's aggregation reports roughly $11M all-time contributions, $9.4M expenditures and approximately $1.17M in expenditures to Way Back PAC, making Way Back its largest reported recipient.
Read record and sources →Christopher Hirsch
Stated in published researchThe same return identifies Western Futures’ officers as Michael Hennesy (president), Jeremy Krones (treasurer), and Christopher Hirsch (secretary), all reporting $0 compensation, and lists $100,000 paid to Way Back PAC in FY2024.
Read record and sources →Jeremy Krones
Stated in published researchThe same return identifies Western Futures’ officers as Michael Hennesy (president), (treasurer), and (secretary), all reporting $0 compensation, and lists $100,000 paid to Way Back PAC in FY2024.
Other names appearing in the same research (36)
These are research overlaps for discovery, not documented relationships. Read the underlying records before drawing conclusions.
People
- Gary Raney · 7 shared records
- Jonah Meyers · 7 shared records
- Jim Guthrie · 6 shared records
- Brad Little · 5 shared records
- Ben Fuhriman · 3 shared records
- Colin Nash · 3 shared records
- Jay R. Halfon · 3 shared records
- Judith Ellis · 3 shared records
- Pamela Gilbert · 3 shared records
PACs
- Defend and Protect Idaho · 26 shared records
- Idaho First · 15 shared records
- Hometown Heroes · 14 shared records
- Unite America PAC · 4 shared records
- Fight for Nebraska PAC · 3 shared records
- Government That Works PAC · 3 shared records
- Idaho Liberty PAC
SOURCED RECORD
Research & sources
These dated records accumulate as research is published. Each retains its original status, context, and source references.
Research finding · 2026-09-18Way Back address error reportedly changed apparent in-state funding from 95% to 45%; current Wyoming listing verified
Recorded status: Historical error/correction attributed to contemporary reporting; present Wyoming address and 2026 totals verified in official UI; intent unresolved
Sources
- Group opposing political extremism doubles Idaho election spending — Idaho Education News — Where the money comes from; published May 18, 2026; lines 68–81
- Idaho Sunshine — Defend and Protect Idaho committee profile — Filing Year 2026, Contributions and Top Contributors, inspected September 18, 2026
This dossier reflects published research, including its uncertainties. Inclusion or association alone does not establish wrongdoing. Submit a correction or additional evidence →