Videos
Money in Politics
Megadonors
In the post-Citizens United era, wealthy, overwhelmingly white donors have dominated political giving to both parties. Between 2009 and 2020, just 12 political donors were responsible for $1 of every $13 in federal elections. Learn more about our work to curb the outsized influence of political megadonors.
Featured Press
Forbes: Scion Of Billionaire Mellon Family Has Paid For Most Of Texas Governor’s Border Wall Fund
Minnesota Sun Sailor: Rep. Dean Phillips: Now is the time to amend our Constitution
The Latest on Megadonors
Analysis
Billionaires help bankroll legal funds used by parties to challenge election rules
Even before the results of the presidential election are tabulated, partisan actors are busy behind the scenes filing lawsuits seeking clarification about existing election rules and, in the most extreme…
In the media
The Hill: 2024 election poised to shatter spending records
Issue One Research Director Michael Beckel quoted...
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…
Analysis
Election-denying secretary of state candidates on the ballot have raised $8.9 million
A new Issue One analysis shows that election-denying secretary of state candidates collectively raised $15.7 million — including $8.9 million raised by election deniers who prevailed in their primaries and…
In the media
Chronicle of Philanthropy: A Half-Billion Dollars of Influence: Big Philanthropists and the Midterm Elections
Research Director Michael Beckel quoted...
In the media
CNN: Money flowing to some election deniers sets off scramble in secretary of state races
Issue One's "Who's Bankrolling Election Deniers?" report cited...
Press releases
Election-denying secretary of state candidates have raised more than $12 million, Issue One analysis finds
Financial support has come from the former CEO of Overstock.com, Wendy’s largest franchisee, and others...
As a record amount of money flows into races for states’ top election officials across the country, a new Issue One analysis shows that election-denying secretary of state candidates have…
Reports
Who’s Bankrolling Election Deniers?
Election-denying secretary of state candidates have raised more than $12 million from megadonors, fake Trump electors, and scores of small-dollar donors....
As a record amount of money flows into races for states’ top election officials across the country, a new Issue One analysis shows that election-denying secretary of state candidates have…
In the media
Forbes: Scion Of Billionaire Mellon Family Has Paid For Most Of Texas Governor’s Border Wall Fund
Cites Issue One’s “Outsized Influence” report on megadonors
In the media
Investigative Reporting Workshop: Big money and secret spending mark the last 10 years of federal elections, with each campaign growing more expensive.
Cites Issue One’s “Outsized Influence” report on megadonors