Smith faces a new alliance of political action committee opposition over SOPA. | John Shinkle/POLITICO Tech activists target Smith for SOPA

In the Lone Star State, the Stop Online Piracy Act is a pesky fly that Republican Rep. Lamar Smith can’t swat dead.

Smith faces a new alliance of political action committee opposition from tech-sector activists who want to get back at him for sponsoring the anti-piracy bill by derailing his reelection.


In the next 20 days, the group intends to pool resources, as much as $500,000, and campaign against Smith in his congressional district, which includes parts of San Antonio and Austin. The Texas Republican Party primary is May 29.

The Alliance for Internet Freedom includes eight technology-related PACs, an organizer for the group said. And there are other PACs joining the group that are attacking Smith for his positions on other issues. Some have not endorsed a Smith opponent.

“This is a coordinated effort,” said Michael Hendrix, chairman of Americans for Internet Freedom, one of the PACs involved. “Once you see the resources we have and take it as a whole, we have a really good shot.”

Other PACs joining the alliance focus on immigration, the debt ceiling and health care, said Hendrix, who is chief executive officer of Precise Agency, a Dallas-based digital advertising firm.

Smith has raised more than $1 million, with the TV, movie and music sectors among the top industries contributing, according to OpenSecrets.org.

One member of the anti-Smith alliance is Test PAC, which has raised more than $20,000, according to the group’s treasurer, Andy Posterick. The group, which paid for one month of an anti-Smith billboard ad, raised more than $9,000 over the weekend. It plans to buy TV airtime for an anti-Smith video.

“Having this coalition of pro-Internet groups has a chance of turning around the race,” said Posterick.

Smith’s campaign headquarters did not respond to a request for comment.