Carrie
@carrieclendening.bsky.social
carrieclendening.substack.com
The Coal Hall of Fame
Carrie Clendening (@carrieclendening)
The Coal Hall of Fame
substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The Coal Hall of Fame
The Friends of Coal Fantasy
Carrie Clendening (@carrieclendening)
The Friends of Coal Fantasy
substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM
The Friends of Coal Fantasy
The 2024 West Virginia election cycle wasn’t just another primary season—it was a masterclass in campaign finance innovation. Two federal Joint Fundraising Committees quietly transformed obscure county party organizations into powerhouse financial vehicles, flooding rural committees.
How “Team Mooney” and “Team Morrisey” Weaponized County Party Executive Committees in West Virginia’s 2024 Election
Listen now | The Strategic Architecture of Localized Federal Fundraising
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The 2024 West Virginia election cycle wasn’t just another primary season—it was a masterclass in campaign finance innovation. Two federal Joint Fundraising Committees quietly transformed obscure county party organizations into powerhouse financial vehicles, flooding rural committees.
I’ve spent several years investigating how West Virginia’s government was systematically captured by out-of-state interests.
In that time, I’ve watched dozens of legitimate news stories break about the same ecosystem I’m documenting—and I’ve watched almost all of them miss the point entirely.
In that time, I’ve watched dozens of legitimate news stories break about the same ecosystem I’m documenting—and I’ve watched almost all of them miss the point entirely.
Why Journalists Miss Almost Everything
The Difference Between Narratives and Systems
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I’ve spent several years investigating how West Virginia’s government was systematically captured by out-of-state interests.
In that time, I’ve watched dozens of legitimate news stories break about the same ecosystem I’m documenting—and I’ve watched almost all of them miss the point entirely.
In that time, I’ve watched dozens of legitimate news stories break about the same ecosystem I’m documenting—and I’ve watched almost all of them miss the point entirely.
We are currently in a critical public comment period for Rule 145CSR20, the “Certified Microgrid Development Program”.
DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM. This article provides two easy ways to file your comment today."
DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM. This article provides two easy ways to file your comment today."
URGENT! The Sold-Out State: A Cry for Help (And a Puzzle to Fight Back)
145CSR20 “Certified Microgrid Development Program”
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
We are currently in a critical public comment period for Rule 145CSR20, the “Certified Microgrid Development Program”.
DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM. This article provides two easy ways to file your comment today."
DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM. This article provides two easy ways to file your comment today."
Chain Bridge Bank…. www.chainbridgebank.com/assets/files...
Carrie Clendening (@carrieclendening)
Chain Bridge Bank…. https://www.chainbridgebank.com/assets/files/hGfazHlq
substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Chain Bridge Bank…. www.chainbridgebank.com/assets/files...
A Forensic Autopsy of the Americans for Prosperity West Virginia 2026 Legislative Agenda and the Dark Money Architecture Dismantling West Virginia
A Forensic Autopsy of the Americans for Prosperity West Virginia 2026 Legislative Agenda and the Dark Money Architecture Dismantling West Virginia
The Laboratory of Oligarchy
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A Forensic Autopsy of the Americans for Prosperity West Virginia 2026 Legislative Agenda and the Dark Money Architecture Dismantling West Virginia
Buckley v. Valeo established the constitutional framework that makes dark money & unlimited campaign spending legally possible. While Citizens United became the public lightning rod for criticism, legal scholars increasingly recognize it asan extension of doctrines Buckley cemented 34 years earlier.
Buckley v. Valeo: The 1976 Decision That Built America’s Dark Money Architecture
ARTICLE 7
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Buckley v. Valeo established the constitutional framework that makes dark money & unlimited campaign spending legally possible. While Citizens United became the public lightning rod for criticism, legal scholars increasingly recognize it asan extension of doctrines Buckley cemented 34 years earlier.
More people should be talking about Cleta Mitchell
Cleta Mitchell and Mac Warner: A Case Study in Conservative Partnership Institute‘s State Election Takeover Strategy
Election denial isn’t a conspiracy. It’s infrastructure. It’s the systematic placement of ideologically aligned people into positions where they can shape rules. It’s funding streams that flow through...
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:27 PM
More people should be talking about Cleta Mitchell
Let me show you the one reform that makes professional political operatives lose sleep: ranked-choice voting in open primaries. Not because it’s some democracy-saving miracle cure—it’s not. But because it fundamentally breaks the mathematical model that ideological PACs have perfected.
The Ranked Choice Voting Gambit - Why Extremists Fear Ranked Ballots
Listen now | Article 6 Let me show you the one reform that makes professional political operatives lose sleep: ranked-choice voting in open primaries. Not because it’s some democracy-saving miracle cu...
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Let me show you the one reform that makes professional political operatives lose sleep: ranked-choice voting in open primaries. Not because it’s some democracy-saving miracle cure—it’s not. But because it fundamentally breaks the mathematical model that ideological PACs have perfected.
The name “Election Integrity Network” is Orwellian: it describes the opposite of the organization’s actual function, which is weakening election integrity while claiming to protect it.
Cleta Mitchell and Mac Warner: A Case Study in Conservative Partnership Institute‘s State Election Takeover Strategy
Election denial isn’t a conspiracy. It’s infrastructure. It’s the systematic placement of ideologically aligned people into positions where they can shape rules. It’s funding streams that flow through...
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The name “Election Integrity Network” is Orwellian: it describes the opposite of the organization’s actual function, which is weakening election integrity while claiming to protect it.
The parties love closed primaries because they think it protects them from infiltration. (Joke’s on them—the infiltration already happened, just with money instead of voters.)
The PAC Problem: How Ideological Kingmakers Took Over Primaries
We now live in a primary election system where ideological PACs—representing the preferences of wealthy individuals—are the most powerful predictor of who wins. More powerful than what business wants....
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The parties love closed primaries because they think it protects them from infiltration. (Joke’s on them—the infiltration already happened, just with money instead of voters.)
If you’re an incumbent anywhere in America, this is the playbook being studied right now by groups planning to take you down.
And if you’re a voter, this is the infrastructure of manipulation operating just below your conscious awareness every election cycle.
And if you’re a voter, this is the infrastructure of manipulation operating just below your conscious awareness every election cycle.
THE PLAYBOOK: A Torrent of Propaganda
This is how modern political campaigns actually work. Not the sanitized version taught in civics classes, but the brutal reality of psychological manipulation, coordinated attacks, and the weaponizati...
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:37 PM
If you’re an incumbent anywhere in America, this is the playbook being studied right now by groups planning to take you down.
And if you’re a voter, this is the infrastructure of manipulation operating just below your conscious awareness every election cycle.
And if you’re a voter, this is the infrastructure of manipulation operating just below your conscious awareness every election cycle.
The System That Now Runs American Politics
Something fundamental shifted in American politics, and most people don’t realize it yet.
Something fundamental shifted in American politics, and most people don’t realize it yet.
WELCOME TO PERMANENT CAMPAIGN MODE
HOW OUTSIDE GROUPS NOW DECIDE ELECTIONS
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
The System That Now Runs American Politics
Something fundamental shifted in American politics, and most people don’t realize it yet.
Something fundamental shifted in American politics, and most people don’t realize it yet.
West Virginia Campaign Finance Data: Analysis of Small, Recurring Multiple Transactions
West Virginia Campaign Finance Data: Analysis of Small, Recurring Multiple Transactions
The analysis of 4,154 campaign finance transactions from January through September 2025 reveals that 1,882 transactions (45.3%) were small payments under $50, with 96 recipients receiving 5 or more re...
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:26 PM
West Virginia Campaign Finance Data: Analysis of Small, Recurring Multiple Transactions
Next week, I will publish my findings in a four-part series: The West Virginia Playbook. This is not a story about Democrats vs. Republicans. It is a story about the hidden machinery of power and a new form of political warfare that threatens to consume our democracy.
Special Announcement: A Torrent of Propaganda is Coming. This is the Playbook.
A special investigation begins next week. This is what I found, and why it matters to you.
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Next week, I will publish my findings in a four-part series: The West Virginia Playbook. This is not a story about Democrats vs. Republicans. It is a story about the hidden machinery of power and a new form of political warfare that threatens to consume our democracy.
They made one critical error: They pissed off parents. We’re the demographic that will spend 47 hours researching the best car seat. You think we won’t spend a weekend exposing who’s trying to destroy our kids’ schools? We’re more motivated than 47 political operatives combine.
Every Candidate Americans for Prosperity and ALEC Endorse, We Will Vote Against: A Parent's Guide to Billionaire-Funded Betrayal
They made one critical error: They pissed off parents.We’re the demographic that will spend 47 hours researching the best car seat. You think we won’t spend a weekend exposing who’s trying to destroy ...
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
They made one critical error: They pissed off parents. We’re the demographic that will spend 47 hours researching the best car seat. You think we won’t spend a weekend exposing who’s trying to destroy our kids’ schools? We’re more motivated than 47 political operatives combine.
$191M buys 29 state attorneys general. Half the donors had active legal cases with the AGs they funded. No recusals required. This is the con from inside.
How to Buy a State Attorney General: A $191 Million Tutorial
Listen, I’ve been in government long enough to know that when someone tells you “this is just how politics works,” what they really mean is “we’re doing something deeply screwed up and we’re hoping yo...
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:05 AM
$191M buys 29 state attorneys general. Half the donors had active legal cases with the AGs they funded. No recusals required. This is the con from inside.
I need to go on record saying — this is wild!! This is INSANE!! It is blatantly clear that Corporate America inserted themselves into a democratic process. As a voter and citizen of this State, I’m offended! And, this is not okay!!
The Chilling Effect: How Dark Money Turns Elections into Extortion
In my article, “Big Pharma’s Dark Money Network in West Virginia,” we rolled up our sleeves and did the hard work of following the money.
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I need to go on record saying — this is wild!! This is INSANE!! It is blatantly clear that Corporate America inserted themselves into a democratic process. As a voter and citizen of this State, I’m offended! And, this is not okay!!
Next time you see Cardinal Institute running ads on Facebook, know they are full of crap, and these are the people and organizations backing their agenda. Remember, Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy likes to attack public education 340B Drug Program and Certificate of Need (CON).
Release of Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy's 990 Tax Filings (2015-2019)
Look at MY kids. Look at YOUR Kids. Look at what they've done to OUR kids.
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Next time you see Cardinal Institute running ads on Facebook, know they are full of crap, and these are the people and organizations backing their agenda. Remember, Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy likes to attack public education 340B Drug Program and Certificate of Need (CON).
Check out my Substack
Carrie Clendening | Substack
Hi, I’m Carrie, and I’m what happens when someone spends 15+ years inside the government machine, gets a fancy public policy degree, becomes a parent, and decides that polite silence is overrated. Cli...
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Check out my Substack
THIS WEEKEND: The receipts are coming. I’m releasing five years of 990 tax filings (2015-2019) from the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Get ready to see exactly who’s been bankrolling their agenda. The donor list? Absolutely jaw-dropping.
The 990 Tax Filings You’ve Been Waiting to See!
THIS WEEKEND: The receipts are coming.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:24 PM
THIS WEEKEND: The receipts are coming. I’m releasing five years of 990 tax filings (2015-2019) from the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Get ready to see exactly who’s been bankrolling their agenda. The donor list? Absolutely jaw-dropping.