Danielle, Something is happening in our elections that deserves every voter's attention: Dark money groups are spending record amounts of money to influence our elections. A New York Times analysis found roughly $1 billion in anonymous political spending moving through the political system this year — and that number is almost certainly an underestimate.
AIPAC, crypto billionaires, the AI industry — they're all dumping millions into race after race to handpick candidates who'll bend over backward for their bottom line.
The money moves through layers of nonprofits, super PACs, and committees. This lets wealthy special interests shape our elections from behind a curtain, leaving voters to make decisions without knowing who is pulling the strings. In exchange for all that money comes time, access, and the corruption of our "representative" democracy. It’s unsettling (to say the least) to think about what powerful interests might expect from candidates in return for the millions they’re pouring into their elections. That's why it matters that we pay attention to how candidates choose to fund their campaigns. I say choose — because it is a deliberate, intentional decision. When we back candidates who reject corporate PAC money — who refuse to be bought — we send a message that power comes from ordinary people, not billionaires. And more importantly, it works: The 2026 primaries have given us countless examples that the many can beat the money. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed won his Senate primary despite being dramatically outspent, with outside groups spending tens of millions of dollars to try to stop him. A week later, Peggy Flanagan won Minnesota's Senate primary after nearly $20 million was spent against her. In New York, Zohran Mamdani launched his candidacy virtually unknown and built a grassroots campaign that defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a record-spending election. And just this month, State Rep. Angie Nixon won Florida's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, after being outspent 16 to 1. These primaries and others like them proved that when people organize, show up, and build a campaign rooted in their communities, money isn't the only force that matters. But we can't slow down now. Because September, October, and November are when the most spending and voter contact takes place. This is when corporate money floods the airwaves. This is when our opponents are making their final push. Our democracy shouldn't be bought and paid for by the wealthy and powerful. It belongs to all of us. Getting big money out of politics is how we make that real. That’s why right now, it's more important than ever that we keep building strength within this grassroots movement. If you believe this is possible, and if you're able to, please pitch in to support our campaign today. With your support, we're proving that grassroots power can beat dark money — and building the political force needed to finally get it out of our elections for good.  |
