I hope you have enjoyed receiving OpenSecrets’ updates and articles prepared by our team, keeping you abreast of relevant money-in-politics news. This year has brought us new opportunities to use our data to produce significant coverage of major news and research, shining a light on important money-and-politics subjects.
As we rapidly approach the end of the year, I’d like to share some of our significant work that you may have missed:
In February, our researchers produced Capitalizing on Conflict; a report documenting a network of defense industry lobbyists and private donors who have directed $285 million in campaign contributions and $2.5 billion in lobbying efforts to push the government to approve billions in arms sales.
In April, we released a joint report with Public Citizen on the connection between lobbying efforts and the COVID-related contracts awarded by the government. The report found that just 6% of contractors lobbied the federal government, but that same 6% received more than half the money awarded to combat the pandemic.
Our researchers examined the role women played, both as candidates and donors, in the record-breaking 2020 election cycle. An analysis of over 20 years of data reveals that a significant fundraising gap still exists between male and female candidates. Read our report: Which Women Can Run? The Fundraising Gap in the 2020 Elections' Competitive Primaries.
OpenSecrets works every day on unique research that gives you a clearer picture of the fundraising dynamics in our political system.
In 2022, we will continue to provide an important perspective on the news you see everyday, identifying the influence of money in shaping U.S. politics and policy. Follow the money (and our newsroom!) to stay informed.
With gratitude,
Sheila Krumholz
Executive Director
PS - Please be sure to share OpenSecrets data and analysis with your networks – to allow everyone to make informed choices based on unbiased data and analysis.
