Money in Politics

Dark Money & Super PACs

Since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision opened the floodgates to unlimited election spending, big-money groups like super PACs and dark money organizations have had an alarming and growing influence. These groups routinely flout anti-corruption laws designed to prevent them from coordinating with candidates. All the while, secretive dark money groups — and even some super PACs — keep their donors hidden, preventing the public from knowing who is trying to curry favor with candidates through their big-money spending. Such secretive groups may even be conduits for foreigners trying to illegally influence U.S. elections.

Featured Work

Press releases

PhRMA contributed record sum to GOP-aligned dark money group in 2022, new tax filing reviewed by Issue One shows

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America — the trade association also known as PhRMA that represents the country’s top drug companies, including Eli Lilly, Merck, and Pfizer — has contributed…

Podcast episodes

Swamp Stories Episode 25: The Funnel

In the last episode of Swamp Stories, we explored the influence of “dark money” — particularly on the 2020 election. In our latest episode, we’re taking a deeper dive into…

Podcast episodes

Swamp Stories Episode 24: The Arms Race That Won’t End

More than $1 billion worth of unaccountable “dark money” flowed into the 2020 election at the federal level. This secretive spending by groups with anonymous donors has a corrosive influence…

Reports

Dark Money Illuminated

The Top 15 Dark Money Groups in the Post-Citizens United Era...

Just 15 dark money groups in the post-Citizens United era accounted for over 75 percent of the more than $800 million in political dark money spent between January 2010 and December…

Analysis

In 2018 midterms, liberal dark money groups outspent conservative counterparts for first time since Citizens United

Total dark money spending since Citizens United nears $1 billion. The 2018 midterm election marked the first time liberal dark money groups outspent their conservative counterparts since the U.S. Supreme…

Analysis

Super PACs and dark money groups combined to outspend candidates in a record number of races in 2018

As Democrats and Republicans battled for dominance in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2018, super PACs and dark money groups collectively outspent the candidates’ own campaigns…

project

Coordination Watch

How candidates and outside groups work together to evade anti-corruption laws

Reports

Mystery Money

How a loophole could allow foreign money to flow into super PACs through secretive shell companies...

New report highlights shell company loophole that could be abused by foreigners who want to interfere in U.S. elections Shell companies that give money to super PACs could be conduits…

Featured Press

See All

Politico: PhRMA gave big to dark money groups boosting drug pricing critics

Cites Issue One analysis of PhRMA's contributions to a dark money group...

ABC News: 34N22? NNH? Super PACs with cryptic names raise transparency concerns

Fox Business: Democrats’ HR4 voting rights bill boosted by liberal dark money group financed by foreign national

Upstream Downstream: Michael Beckel discusses Issue One’s Coordination Watch project

The Latest on Dark Money & Super PACs

See All

Nov 22, 2023

In the media

Politico: PhRMA gave big to dark money groups boosting drug pricing critics

Cites Issue One analysis of PhRMA's contributions to a dark money group...

Nov 21, 2023

Press releases

PhRMA contributed record sum to GOP-aligned dark money group in 2022, new tax filing reviewed by Issue One shows

May 04, 2023

In the media

Reuters: Pro-Trump group powers surge in early US super PAC spending

Issue One Research Director Michael Beckel quoted...

Apr 27, 2023

Press releases

Conviction of rapper Pras Michel for violating campaign finance laws and failing to register as a foreign agent should be a warning

In the wake of a federal jury convicting rapper Pras Michel on charges related to failing to register as an agent of China and violating campaign finance laws, Issue One…

Jan 20, 2023

Press releases

“It’s time to end secret spending in elections,” Issue One CEO Nick Penniman says on Citizens United anniversary

Ahead of tomorrow’s 13th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, Issue One released the following statement from Founder and CEO Nick Penniman: “The naivety of the justices in…

Sep 19, 2022

Press releases

Issue One Offers Tips for Following Dark Money and Spending by Super PACs in Elections

Looking for tips to follow the money in elections from super PACs and dark money groups? In a new hour-long webinar, Issue One Research Director Michael Beckel shares resources for…

Feb 11, 2022

Press releases

Issue One responds to DOJ charges in case involving mysterious shell company donor

“No one should be able to hide their political giving by using a shell company,” said Issue One CEO Nick Penniman...

Issue One released the following statement in the wake of the Department of Justice charging three executives of a government contractor who allegedly funneled money to a super PAC through…

Jan 10, 2022

In the media

Issue One in the news: December 2021 media mentions recap

Among our most notable press mentions in December, two members of the National Council on Election Integrity — former Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN), a co-chair of the ReFormers Caucus, and former Secretary…

Dec 13, 2021

In the media

The Detroit News: Michigan Senate leader’s nonprofit got nearly $1 million from secret donors

Research Director Michael Beckel quoted about dark money in Michigan

Dec 07, 2021

In the media

ABC News: 34N22? NNH? Super PACs with cryptic names raise transparency concerns

Quotes Research Director Michael Beckel