This article is published by Open Secrets. Here is an excerpt:

This year began with a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol and a coordinated misinformation campaign to sow doubt in the country’s electoral system. Throughout 2021, OpenSecrets reported on tightly-webbed dark money schemes, elections that cost billions of dollars and key court cases that included top political spenders and advisers. 

Here are OpenSecrets’ top stories of 2021 and a look back on the year that was. 

Jan. 6 dominated headlines throughout 2021 

After a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 147 congressional Republicans objected to the Electoral College results. At the time, OpenSecrets compiled a list of top donors to the GOP lawmakers campaigns and leader PACs in the 2020 cycle. 

Continue reading here. Also, visit the main Democracy Chronicles section on American Democracy or our articles on Money Politics and Worldwide Corruption.