The hottest Campaign Finance Substack posts right now

A new interview series called "American Conversations" will be posted on Substack as a separate series from the nightly Letters, aiming to reach audiences across multiple social platforms.
The featured interview is with lawyer Marc Elias about the Supreme Court case NRSC v. FEC, which is about rules and funding for elections.
The case is framed as a pivotal moment in a broader assault on democracy, so its outcome could have major implications for how elections are funded and protected.

Fund the fight. Even modest donations to candidates, organizations, and lawsuits can make a big difference in winning fights and holding power accountable.
Build solutions locally. Start or support community-focused projects and training programs that create practical systems to reduce inequality and help people directly.
Document and show up. Record and report misconduct by officials, and volunteer or support local groups so resistance and relief happen where people live.

The Republican Party is firmly under Trump's control, with no opposition left inside the party. This makes it hard to predict where the party is headed, as Trump often changes direction.
The Democratic Party lacks a clear leader or owner, making it complicated to assess its future. Many different groups have a stake in the party, but none can steer it effectively.
Some people believe the Democrats have become a liability and might be better off switching to the Republicans, where they see more potential for success.

Nikki Haley suspended her campaign for president without endorsing Donald Trump, continuing to use her voice for her beliefs.
Despite the writing being on the wall, many of Haley's donors kept supporting her because they believed she represented the values and ethics a Republican candidate should have.
Haley's supporters, though possibly in the minority, could still sway the November election by either supporting a third-party candidate or voting for Biden.

State Senator Tim Salazar and State Senator Bo Biteman are co-sponsoring the Clean Elections Bill, which is a significant step towards election transparency and integrity.
The visit to Wyoming's statehouse showcased the accessibility and historical importance of these public buildings, emphasizing civic engagement and the need to protect agricultural and food security.
The dedication of leaders like Senator Salazar and Senator Biteman in Cheyenne demonstrates a commitment to upholding constitutional values and serving the public in challenging times.

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Democracy is less about picking the best leader and more about keeping the option to choose a new one.
Keeping that option is extremely costly — the US election cycle likely runs around $1 trillion every four years when you include advertising and lost productivity.
US democracy is an organic, slow, trillion-dollar binary state machine: its huge, decentralized scale gives it a lot of inertia and stability.

When donating to political campaigns, small donations help candidates show broad support, while big donors provide most of the funding. So, if you give a small amount, it mainly helps them look good in statistics.
Local and state elections often have a bigger impact on daily life than national ones. Your money can go further in local races, like school board elections, which can be decided by a small number of votes.
Many people focus too much on national politics, forgetting that local issues are often more important for their communities. If you want to make a real difference, consider running for a local position like the school board.

Citizens United allowed unlimited political spending by corporations and wealthy donors, which has greatly increased special-interest influence and made campaigns more expensive. It has shifted power toward big money and away from ordinary voters.
Jeff Clements and American Promise push for a constitutional solution to roll back money-as-speech and curb corporate political power. They focus on an amendment and building state-level support to restore democratic control.
Meaningful campaign spending reform includes public financing for small donors, stronger disclosure rules, and limits on outside spending to reduce dark money. These changes are meant to make politicians accountable to voters rather than big donors.

A tiny, ultrawealthy elite now controls political power and is described as the "President of the 0.00001 percent."
We're living through a "new Gilded Age" of extreme inequality that needs to be ended.
The argument is that we should end it the same way the last Gilded Age was ended.

Many Republican figures and donors are showing support for Donald Trump following his indictment.
A poll conducted after Trump's indictment shows him with a significant lead over potential Republican challengers like Ron DeSantis.
Speculation on the impact of Trump's indictment on his political future suggests uncertainty about potential legal repercussions.