Unprecedented surge in ‘dark money’ floods 2024 elections 

The 2024 election cycle is on track for record contributions from “dark money” groups and shell companies.

This article is part of Sunshine Week, a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government.

Bringing Transparency to the Forefront: Why Sunshine Week Matters Now More Than Ever 

Americans deserve to have the ability to see who is funding all elected officials, at the state and federal levels. This week, we echo Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis’ maxim that “sunlight is the best disinfectant” in a healthy democracy.

Ballot measures shape debates on hot-button issues, drawing millions in outside spending

Millions of dollars are funneled into ballot initiatives, which leave hot-button and sometimes intractable issues like abortion rights, marijuana legalization and medicaid expansion to the public to decide.

Chart of the Week
Dive deeper into the data behind the headlines

In 2022, ballot measures attracted more than $1.1 billion as money poured into ballot initiatives issues like abortion, marijuana, and Medicare expansion. In 2024, voters in more than half of the U.S. could decide some of the country’s most contentious issues in November.

No state attracts more money for ballot initiatives than California, the country’s most populous state. Ballot initiatives in California attracted nearly $709.3 millions in the midterms — more money than all other states combined.

In the spirit of #SunshineWeek, we want to help you track the money behind referendums in YOUR state. With the link below, explore the money behind previous ballot measures or stay up to date as new spending ramps up ahead of November elections.

See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:

How Big Pharma is fighting Biden’s program to lower seniors’ drug costs (The Washington Post)

The legal challenges are part of a wider-ranging offensive by the pharmaceutical industry, long seen as one of the most powerful political forces in the nation’s capital. Since 2022, drugmakers and other companies have spent more than $761 million to lobby lawmakers and regulators, according to data from OpenSecrets, a money-in-politics watchdog.

Pressure rises on Biden, Democrats to reject AIPAC funds (Reuters)

A coalition of progressive groups is asking U.S. President Joe Biden and other Democratic Party officials to not accept endorsements or contributions from a pro-Israel group and its affiliated super PACs. Biden, a former vice president and senator, has long been a top recipient of the pro-Israel lobby, receiving over $5.2 million in support over the last 34 years, the most of any Congressional recipient, according to OpenSecrets.

Republicans Sell Boeing Stock as Crisis Deepens (Newsweek)

The financial relationship between Boeing and legislators works both ways. Indeed, the company spends millions lobbying politicians. According to campaign finance and lobbying aggregator OpenSecrets, which cited data from the Senate Office of Public Records, the company spent $14,420,000 on air transport lobbying ventures in 2023.

Donald Trump’s campaign starts to cut costs as cash crisis hits (The Telegraph)

House offices say kids are calling with suicide threats over bill regulating TikTok (Just The News)

Billionaires Yass, DeVos Team Up to Dismantle Public Schools Across the US (Eyes on The Ties)

US pharma group opposing abortion pill restrictions also backs Republicans attacking drug (The Guardian)

Biden attacks GOP for ‘unlimited dark money’ as untraceable cash fuels his reelection (Washington Examiner)

Senate GOP leadership fight may pivot on who fundraises the best (The Hill)

Why Trump is now against a TikTok ban (The Washington Post)

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