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December 19th, 2019
This week in money-in-politics

OpenSecrets’ look back at money and politics in 2019

Our biggest money-in-politics story for 2019 was actually 2020, which promises to be the most expensive election year ever.

With the 2020 election in high gear almost as soon as the new Democratic majority was sworn into the House and the likelihood of impeachment (with possible campaign finance violations and foreign influence campaigns playing starring roles) growing, the year’s news hit the ground running.

For those of you who haven’t had time to read every word of OpenSecrets News this year, don’t worry. As an end-of-year gift, we have compiled our best stories of the year into a handy holiday reading list.
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** Cash-strapped NRA discloses spending on foreign fundraising for first time
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The National Rifle Association disclosed spending on foreign fundraising for the first time in the gun rights group’s history as it faced a multimillion-dollar shortfall for a third consecutive year, new tax returns reveal. Despite that foreign fundraising, federal government grants and millions of dollars siphoned from its charities, the NRA spent more than it brought in last year. Read More ([link removed])
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** Anti-impeachment Rep. Van Drew to flip to GOP after taking six figures from Democratic colleagues
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Anti-impeachment Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-N.J.) is expected to switch parties from Democrat to Republican after meeting last week with President Donald Trump, enraging those in his party, including many who financially backed him. Democratic lawmakers, through their leadership PACs and campaign committees, have given $234,600 to Van Drew since his initial House run in 2018. Read More ([link removed])
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** Environmental groups saw revenue spike, spent heavily amid EPA rollbacks
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Amid rising concerns about climate change and extensive rollbacks of environmental regulations under President Donald Trump’s administration, environmental groups are stepping up their advocacy game. Last year, a slew of high-profile groups saw steep increase in their annual revenue, tax records show. They in turn invested heavily in pushing for pro-environment policies and electing like-minded candidates. Read More ([link removed])

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Millions of political ad dollars fuel Trump impeachment fight

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Political candidates and groups shelled out millions on impeachment-related TV ads before the House impeached President Donald Trump Wednesday, according to a new report from the Wesleyan Media Project.

The analysis, produced in partnership with OpenSecrets, reveals that ads mentioning impeachment accounted for at least $16.9 million worth of TV ads in presidential, Senate and House races. That spending is largely concentrated in the presidential contest. Billionaire Democratic presidential hopeful Tom Steyer spent $8.5 million on the air backing impeachment, with 18 percent of his ads mentioning the subject. Almost all of Trump’s TV ads since October — totaling $4.4 million — are focused on impeachment.
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OpenSecrets in the News

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

* ** Wall Street Banks Court Moderate Democrats to Blunt Warren's Hostility (The New York Times) ([link removed])
Wall Street bank lobbyists are seeking moderate Democratic allies in Congress to deprive Elizabeth Warren of votes and curb policies they consider hostile to their interests.

* ** What We Know About Andrew Yang’s Base (FiveThirtyEight) ([link removed])
A look at what we know about Yang’s small, but loyal support — the “Yang Gang” — and what it can tell us about his presidential bid.

* ** Outside political action committee prods for Ernst vulnerability with poll (The Gazette) ([link removed])
A poll on Iowa’s Senate race finds Sen. Joni Ernst leading her Democratic challenger until respondants are told of allegations she solicited contributions to a dark money group backing her campaign.

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