Yes…and no.

In a blow to campaign finance reformers yesterday, the Supreme Court declined to hear a case brought by Democrats challenging unlimited super PAC fundraising. Ironically, super PACs favoring Democrats have spent a significant share — 44.3% — of all super PAC funds in 2020 so far. They considerably narrowed the gap usually seen between liberal and conservative funds spent, from 50 percent in 2012 to 20 percent this cycle. In an election cycle where OpenSecrets has projected spending will reach a record-breaking $14 billion (double the last presidential cycle), score another one for big money.

Meanwhile, bucking the trend that candidates who raise the most get the most votes, Democrats came up short in Senate races, raising overwhelmingly higher amounts in their attempt to reclaim the upper chamber. Democratic challengers were fueled by small donations to their campaigns and big donors to supportive outside groups in Texas, Maine, Kentucky and South Carolina. But all lost to Republican incumbents by wide margins. Similarly, GOP fundraising hauls in Minnesota, Maryland, California and Virginia didn’t help those candidates. 

Money wins: Biden’s campaign used its huge financial advantage to invest in every relevant state — a move Trump couldn’t afford to make. 

And in the yet-to-be-decided column: President Trump is soliciting donations to fund a wave of lawsuits contesting the results in battleground states, and Joe Biden is asking his supporters for financial help to ensure all votes are counted.

Who wins? It’s hard to keep count — so we do it for you. OpenSecrets.org is your best source for money-in-politics news and analysis. That’s why we’ve served nearly 9 million users on our website already this year. We’re working with investigative reporters, academics, researchers and advocates to navigate the post-election landscape and uncover attempts to influence politics and policy on every topic that matters to you. Your support makes it possible.