ADVISORY: Congressional Money Report to Highlight KY, ID, OR Races

U.S. PIRG Education Fund

WHAT: On Wednesday, May 18, U.S. PIRG Education Fund will release an update to its report on the success of big-money candidates in congressional primaries. The update will amend the report to include the results of house and senate races in Kentucky, Idaho, and Oregon, showing how often better-funded congressional candidates win their race.

WHO: U.S. PIRG Education Fund

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18

REPORT BACKGROUND: Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, mega-donors and special interest groups have flooded elections, up and down the ballot, with large contributions. In congressional races, fundraising success and the support of wealthy donors, can often mean the difference between winning and losing an election.

As congressional primaries take place in states across the country, U.S. PIRG Education Fund is tracking the success of candidates running for the House and Senate based on their fundraising returns. So far this election season, eleven states have hosted congressional primaries. Based on U.S. PIRG’s analysis of those election results, candidates who raised more funds won their primaries 81 percent of the time.

While the influence of money in our political system extends beyond electoral wins and losses and has an impact on how candidates legislate once they win office, this report focuses on highlighting the electoral advantage provided by a better-funded campaign.

ISSUE BACKGROUND: Polls show that a vast majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents support overturning Citizens United and revamping campaign finance laws in the United States. This April, thousands of activists flooded Washington, D.C., to demonstrate for reforms as part of Democracy Awakening, a three-day mass mobilization supporting voting rights and fair elections.

In November of 2015, Maine and Seattle voters strongly approved clean election ballot measures to help refocus state and local elections on ordinary people over special interests and mega-donors. Localities including D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles are now considering similar legislative and regulatory reforms to empower small donors over special interest groups and big contributors in their elections. This year, California and Washington State may put a referendum on their ballot asking voters whether they support overturning Citizens United.

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With public debate around important issues often dominated by special interests pursuing their own narrow agendas, U.S. PIRG Education Fund offers an independent voice that works on behalf of the public interest. U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, works to protect consumers and promote good government. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public, and offer Americans meaningful opportunities for civic participation.