The growth of small-dollar donations has made races more competitive, as incumbents face challenges from well-funded opponents.
Money Politics articles on Democracy Chronicles
This Money Politics section includes news about the efforts to reduce the influence of money over the election system that has grown substantially since the Citizens United ruling. Also see our entire section on Money Politics or our articles on Political Lobbying.
How Megadonors Circumvent Laws To Buy Politicians
America’s megadonors pump cash into political systems, circumventing finance laws using joint fundraising committees.
Bipartisan Ban On Stock Trading In Congress Introduced
AOC, Gaetz & Fitzpatrick introduced the Restoring Faith in Government Act to ban Congress members from trading stocks.
Report Details Pentagon-to-Contractor Lobbying
672 former officials worked for top defense contractors, 91% in lobbying roles, as they receive significant government contracts.
Dark Money Group Plans To Back Hand-Picked Presidential Candidate
Laying the groundwork to launch a centrist, third-party “unity” ticket in 2024, the billionaire-funded group No Labels is buying its own ballot line.
Fundraising For Election Litigation Tops $154 Million In 2021-22
US political parties raised $154m for litigation in 2021-22 cycle, up 30% from 2020 presidential cycle, according to report.
Mega Donors Fuel $45 Million Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
Wealthy donors wield power in this April 4 spring election contest between liberal Janet Protasiewicz and conservative Daniel Kelly.
Costly Court Race Points To Future For Judicial Elections
Thirty million dollars and counting has poured into the campaign for a swing seat on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, with TV ads swamping the airwaves.
Tech Lobbyists Fight States Over Privacy Violations
Senator Whitney Westerfield has re-introduced a data privacy bill to give consumers more control over personal information online in Kentucky.
How Did State Supreme Court Races Get So Expensive?
Politicos have increasingly realized that state supreme court elections can be just as important as executive or legislative elections.