Secretive Donors

The Situation:

Millions are pouring into the coffers of political campaigns, PACs and issue-oriented nonprofits. As of June 2018, Congressional candidates had reported raising more than $1.3 billion, and spending more than $814 million. During this period, super PACs and secretive politically active nonprofits—which are not required to disclose their donors—already had spent $146 million (a 40% increase from 2014).

Small donor activity has tripled since 2010, yet represents a smaller percent of total giving. Weakened campaign laws have facilitated the rise of super PACs and unlimited gifts from secret —possibly even foreign—donors. Outside dark money increasingly is targeting elections and issues at the local level—for example, the funds poured into school board races and public library referenda by the Koch brothers.

How you can help:

Through preliminary research, CRP already has identified players active in federal politics who are also funding advertising and lobbying that is impacting local legislation and issues in New Mexico. With your help, we will:

• Bring our national and process-based expertise to bear on hidden agendas in New Mexico.
• Collaborate with local reporters, activists, and academics, and contribute additional knowledge about state groups and donors, leaving no stone unturned.
• Advance investigative journalism focusing on a wide range of critical issues—natural resources and land use, judicial elections, native rights, and more.
• Expand this initiative to the other states throughout 2019 and 2020. We are developing partnerships in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin—states where competitive races are being targeted by secretive outside organizations operating as state nonprofits.