Your weekly newsletter on money-in-politics

Your weekly newsletter on money in politics.
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
August 15th, 2019
This week in money-in-politics

Which donors are giving the most ahead of 2020?

[link removed] only August, but as the 2020 election season is already well underway, billionaire donors are finding themselves in demand earlier than usual.

The top 10 donors of the 2020 cycle so far have already given a combined $47 million to federal candidates, parties and groups. Most of that money — $39 million — is going to powerful super PACs and other outside groups that can solicit unlimited contributions from wealthy donors.

As candidates on both sides of the aisle increasingly try to attract coveted small donors, wealthy individuals continue to flex their influence in the post-Citizens United landscape where independent groups spend millions on TV ads and other communications to bolster candidates in crucial races.

Read more ([link removed])

[link removed]
*Figures include individual contributions to candidates, PACs, parties and outside groups. Based on data downloaded from the FEC on 8/13/19
[link removed]
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed] http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2FgAqeFb Tweet ([link removed] http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2FgAqeFb)
[link removed] Forward to Friend ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Healthcare giants attack 2020 Democrats’ healthcare plans with Iowa ad blitz
------------------------------------------------------------
A group of major drugmakers, insurance companies and private hospitals staunchly opposes Medicare for All and other healthcare plans proposed by 2020 Democrats. And it is spending big on ads in August to tell Americans why. Read more ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Leadership PACs place early bets on hot races
------------------------------------------------------------
Nearly every member of Congress has a leadership PAC, committees that often solicit contributions from wealthy individuals and PACs that have already given the maximum to the member’s campaign. Lawmakers frequently contribute cash from their PAC to build favor with their colleagues or boost candidates in a close race. Read More ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Ukrainian election shakes up foreign influence operations targeting the US
------------------------------------------------------------
Ukraine’s election of comedian-turned-politician Volodymyr Zelensky in the country’s recent presidential race has ushered in a new era of Ukrainian foreign influence and lobbying operations targeting the U.S. Read More ([link removed])

============================================================
Outside money pours into North Carolina ahead of special election
** ([link removed])
One month before the special election in the 9th Congressional District of North Carolina, outside groups are spending millions as both parties look for a symbolic victory during an off year.

Republican state Sen. Dan Bishop will face off against Democrat Dan McCready, a businessman and Marine veteran who ran for the seat in 2018 only to see the results thrown out over allegations of election fraud by his opponent’s campaign.

McCready has outraised Bishop $3.2 million to $1.2 million. But outside spending in the race favors the Republican from South Charlotte. McCready has received some outside backing from liberal groups, but not as much as he did during his last go-round.

** Read more ([link removed])
Have a friend you think would like our money-in-politics newsletter?
** Click here to forward this email! ([link removed])

OpenSecrets in the News

See where we've been cited by media outlets around the nation this week.

* ** Trial of former Obama White House counsel Gregory Craig highlights crackdown on foreign-influence industry (The Washington Post) ([link removed])
Former Obama White House counsel Gregory Craig was in federal court this week as he faces trial for allegedly lying to the Justice Department in a prosecution that has shaken up the capital’s billion-dollar foreign-influence industry.

* ** Maine is expected to see unprecedented political ad spending in 2020 (Bangor Daily News) ([link removed])
Susan Collins' 2020 reelection bid is well on track to be the most expensive Senate race in Maine history.

* ** GOP Groups Suspend Twitter Spending After McConnell Campaign Account Is Frozen (The Wall Street Journal) ([link removed])
Mitch McConnell's campaign Twitter account was frozen this past week. In protest, a number of prominant GOP groups and campaigns suspended ad buys on the platform until @Team_Mitch was restored.

** Fox News ([link removed])
** The Washington Post ([link removed])
** NBC News ([link removed])

** Politico ([link removed])

** CNBC ([link removed])
** Bloomberg Environment ([link removed])

** Fox Business ([link removed])
** The Connecticut Mirror ([link removed])
** The Argus Leader ([link removed])
** The Maryland Independent ([link removed])
** The Cincinnati Enquirer ([link removed])
** northjersey.com ([link removed])
** Maine Public ([link removed])
** AL.com ([link removed])
** Vox ([link removed])



** See more here ([link removed])

** tryu2.jpg ([link removed])
** count-cah-make-change.png ([link removed])
** Chair-nave.jpg ([link removed])
Copyright © 2019 Center for Responsive Politics, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, OpenSecrets.org.

Our mailing address is:
Center for Responsive Politics
1300 L Street NW
Suite 200
Washington, District of Columbia xxxxxx
USA
** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
** update subscription preferences ([link removed])