who is dark money virginia lawyer

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What is dark money in politics?

Such organizations can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals and unions. In this way, their donors can spend funds to influence elections, without voters knowing where the money came from. Dark money first entered politics with Buckley v.

Who funds dark money groups?

The largest and most complex network of dark money groups are funded by conservative billionaire business magnates Charles and David Koch; the Koch brothers' network accounted for about a quarter of dark money spending in 2012.

What is'untraceable dark money'?

According to Kathy Kiely, managing editor of the Sunlight Foundation, "untraceable dark money is a preferred tactic of conservatives, while Democrats tend to use traceable super PACs." The first federal law requiring disclosure of campaign contributions, the Federal Corrupt Practices Act, was passed in 1910.

Will comic book-themed campaign push SEC chairwoman to rein in dark money?

The image was part of a comic book-themed campaign sponsored by three groups— AVAAZ, the Corporate Reform Coalition, and Public Citizen —aimed at pressuring Securities and Exchange Commission chairwoman Mary Jo White to rein in dark money.

What is dark money campaign?

In the politics of the United States, dark money refers to political spending by nonprofit organizations — ...

Who funded the Dark Money?

The largest and most complex network of dark money groups are funded by conservative billionaire business magnates Charles and David Koch; the Koch brothers' network accounted for about a quarter of dark money spending in 2012.

What is the disclosure act?

Democrats in the United States Congress have repeatedly introduced the DISCLOSE Act, proposed legislation to require disclosure of election spending by "corporations, labor unions, super-PACs, and, most importantly, politically active nonprofits.".

What was the rise of dark money groups?

Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. (2008) and Citizens United v. FEC (2010). In Citizens United, the Court ruled (by a 5–4 vote) that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates.

How much did dark money contribute to the 2010 election?

It was estimated that dark money accounted for around $127 million for this cycle.

What is the focus of early dark money being spent in the 2016 cycle?

According to Richard Skinner of the Sunlight Foundation, "the focus of early dark money being spent in the 2016 cycle" is on competitive U.S. Senate elections and some U.S. House of Representatives races.

Where was dark money spending concentrated?

In the Senate elections, dark money spending was highly concentrated in a handful of targeted competitive states, and especially in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

What is dark money?

The term was popularized by a best-selling 2016 book by Jane Mayer. “Dark money” refers to campaign money whose sources are not disclosed.

What is the problem with dark money?

First, all organizations – including corporations, labor unions and non-profits engaged in election-related spending – could be required to disclose large donors whose funds are used for campaign ads.

What is Valeo decision?

Valeo, the landmark 1976 decision that upheld federal campaign disclosure laws, identifying a candidate’s financial backers “alert (s) the voter to the interests to which the candidate is most likely to be responsive.”.

How much did dark money spend on the 2016 election?

The campaign finance watchdog Center for Responsive Politics found that dark money groups reported spending US$181 million in the 2016 federal elections. Dark money accounted for nearly a fifth of all spending by groups other than candidates and parties in the last decade.

What does money pay for?

Money pays for salaries, travel – and especially advertising. Candidates who are not personally wealthy depend on contributions to cover those costs, or on supportive spending by political parties and other political groups.

Which states have laws requiring dark money donors?

Several states, such as New Jersey and Colorado, have recently passed laws requiring that information. The U.S. House of Representatives this spring passed similar legislation addressing large dark money donors and spenders in federal elections, although Republicans in the Senate seem unlikely to take it up.

Is dark money a campaign?

With the 2020 campaign season upon us, “dark money” is again in the news. Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins has decried what she contends is a “dark money” campaign against her. Montana’s Gov. Steve Bullock has made opposition to dark money a centerpiece of his Democratic presidential campaign. But what exactly is “dark money,” ...

Meet the Real Dark Money GOP Donors Who Funded Those Who Voted to Overturn the Election

Major companies and executives of Wall Street firms, fossil fuel businesses, a casino empire, and a shipping giant supplied super PACs and other outside spending groups with hundreds of millions of dollars to elect the Republican election deniers.

Top Outside Spending Groups Backing Election Deniers

These 40 outside political groups made independent expenditures of $100,000 or more supporting at least one of the 147 GOP members of Congress who voted against the 2020 presidential election results or attacking their opponents in their most recent elections.

Outside Groups Helped Seat Election Deniers

106 Republican senators and representatives benefited from spending by outside groups identified by CMD that spent at least $100,000 to help one or more of them win office.

Top 10 Donors to Outside Spending Groups Backing Election Deniers

These 10 individuals and families donated nearly $500 million to outside political groups that made independent expenditures supporting at least one of the 147 GOP members of Congress who voted against the 2020 presidential election results or attacking their opponents in their most recent elections.

Top Donors to Outside Spending Groups Backing Election Deniers

Over 120 donors or donor families gave $500,000 or more to outside political groups that made independent expenditures supporting at least one of the 147 GOP members of Congress who voted against the 2020 presidential election results or attacking their opponents in their most recent elections.

Overview

Etymology

Activities and influence

Comparison to (and relationship with) super PACs

Disclosure in U.S. elections

Legislative and regulatory proposals and debate over dark money

See also

Further reading