The Network Behind
Victor Sims

Money and slate. $7,159.88 total: $2,000 Votebuilder, $500 Solidarity Tech, $85.70 Scale to Win, $1,000 cash, and $3,574.18 in mailers on 8/11/2026.

What it is

The state party organization. It named Sims to its 2026 'Take Back Florida' November slate alongside 44 other candidates.

What it wants

Its own July release says slate members receive 'funding, campaign strategy, voter data and direct voter-contact support.' The party's stated goal is to 'take back our school boards.'

$890.27 contribution, 5/31/2026, plus endorsement.

What it is

A Washington, D.C. PAC that recruits and funds young progressive candidates nationally.

What it wants

Spends to elect progressive candidates down-ballot. Its 2026 strategic plan names Florida a 'Battle Up Long Term' target and treats school boards as the entry point.

The c4 behind the PAC that gave Sims $890.27. Its own 990 Schedule I shows $1.45 million moved into the Run for Something PAC.

What it is

The 501(c)(4) affiliate. InfluenceWatch documents $5,446,000 from the Sixteen Thirty Fund in 2022, about $1.5 million from Open Society grantees across 2022-23, and $500,000 from the Tides Foundation in 2024.

What it wants

Progressive candidate infrastructure. The money path is Soros-network and Tides money into the c4, the c4 into the PAC, and the PAC into Sims's campaign.

$500 contribution, 9/26/2025, plus endorsement.

What it is

A national PAC focused on electing Black candidates, headquartered in Washington.

What it wants

Backs progressive Black candidates. FEC records show Melinda French Gates maxing out to the committee in repeated cycles, alongside other large national donors.

$1,000 contribution, 7/9/2026. The single largest PAC check in his filings.

What it is

A Florida progressive PAC that describes itself as 'investing in progressive candidates, campaigns and infrastructure.'

What it wants

Builds progressive campaign infrastructure in Florida, the same lane as Ruth's List and other state-level progressive pipelines.

Endorsement. Sims said publicly the group gave him no money.

What it is

The political arm of Equality Florida, the state's largest LGBTQ advocacy organization.

What it wants

Elects candidates it calls pro-equality and mobilizes on local school boards, including on gender identity and sexuality policies in schools.

Endorsement as part of its Florida school board slate.

What it is

The political arm of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

What it wants

Endorses school board candidates on a racial-justice and equity platform, and campaigns against policies it labels discriminatory.

Endorsement. No money in his filings.

What it is

A national activist network that recruits and coaches school board candidates.

What it wants

Its published core values include gender and sexuality expression in schools, school-based reproductive care, and opposition to school choice.

Endorsement. No money in his filings.

What it is

A national organization that recruits school board candidates around sex-education policy.

What it wants

In its own words, it builds 'a movement of voters laser-focused on advancing progressive sex education policy and implementation across the country.'

Graded him a 'Gun Sense Candidate' for District 3. It is a questionnaire grade, not an Everytown endorsement; he does not carry that badge.

What it is

Everytown's candidate program, funded by Michael Bloomberg, who routed $24 million through the organization in the 2026 cycle.

What it wants

Everytown's platform includes banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks, red-flag laws, and 'Stop Arming Teachers.' Its research arm says Florida should repeal its Guardian Program.

Endorsement. The PEA represents about 70% of Polk school employees across three unions.

What it is

The local teachers union and its political committee.

What it wants

Higher pay and benefits for school employees, and opposition to voucher expansion it says drains district funding.

Endorsement. No money in his filings.

What it is

The statewide umbrella for Florida's teachers unions.

What it wants

Is a plaintiff in litigation challenging the state's voucher and charter-funding statutes, and endorsed Sims on that platform.

$250 contribution, 5/14/2026, plus endorsement.

What it is

The regional AFL-CIO labor council covering the Tampa Bay area, including Polk.

What it wants

Labor-aligned candidates and collective bargaining positions.

$500 in September 2026, plus endorsement.

What it is

A Florida political committee aligned with progressive local candidates across the state.

What it wants

Backs progressive school board and municipal candidates in Florida.

$994.70 in-kind for signs and marketing, plus $410 paid for 'TEXT AND ROBO CALLS.'

What it is

A nonprofit that markets itself to independent and nonpartisan local candidates as an alternative to parties.

What it wants

Supplies candidates with branding, marketing and outreach tools.

Solivita Democratic Club: $100 in 2025 and $500 in September 2026. Greater Winter Haven Democratic Club: $200 in July 2026 and $150 in G3. Both endorsed him.

What it is

The organized Democratic clubs of Polk County, the volunteer base that turns out Democratic voters in west and east Polk.

What it wants

Democratic candidates and Democratic turnout in Polk County.

Endorsement. No money in his filings.

What it is

A national network of Democratic mayors, council members and school board members.

What it wants

Elects Democratic local officials and builds a bench for higher office.

Accepted into its Accelerator program, announced August 2025. No money in his filings.

What it is

A national organization that recruits and trains progressive candidates with service backgrounds.

What it wants

Trains and supports progressive candidates for down-ballot offices.