Ian Vandewalker
@ianvan.bsky.social
Policy advocacy and research on money in politics and disinformation. Senior Counsel & Manager, Brennan Center.
No president-affiliated super PAC has ever raised so much and seen so many $1M+ donations in the first 6 months of a term, even without the constitutional term limit. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
August 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
No president-affiliated super PAC has ever raised so much and seen so many $1M+ donations in the first 6 months of a term, even without the constitutional term limit. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
The MAGA Inc. fundraising since the election smashes the prior record, 6 times the pro-Biden super PAC total by this point in 2021.
August 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
The MAGA Inc. fundraising since the election smashes the prior record, 6 times the pro-Biden super PAC total by this point in 2021.
I'll be speaking at #AAJA25 convention in Seattle, WA, on July 30. You can register at aaja25.org/registration!
July 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I'll be speaking at #AAJA25 convention in Seattle, WA, on July 30. You can register at aaja25.org/registration!
Different spenders behave differently. The first analysis of ad tone in 2024 online political ads shows candidates spend the smallest portion on attack ads, while outside groups are most likely to go negative.
July 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Different spenders behave differently. The first analysis of ad tone in 2024 online political ads shows candidates spend the smallest portion on attack ads, while outside groups are most likely to go negative.
The technology industry, including crypto interests, was far and away the biggest source of funds, which has not been the case for past inauguration funds.
July 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The technology industry, including crypto interests, was far and away the biggest source of funds, which has not been the case for past inauguration funds.
Impossible to overstate the unprecedented flood of megadonor money to an incoming president.
July 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Impossible to overstate the unprecedented flood of megadonor money to an incoming president.
Spenders also have different goals. Candidates spend a significant portion on fundraising, while parties and outside groups are largely devoted to persuading audiences about who to vote for.
July 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Spenders also have different goals. Candidates spend a significant portion on fundraising, while parties and outside groups are largely devoted to persuading audiences about who to vote for.
Different spenders behave differently. The first analysis of ad tone in 2024 online political ads shows candidates spend the smallest portion on attack ads, while outside groups are most likely to go negative.
July 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Different spenders behave differently. The first analysis of ad tone in 2024 online political ads shows candidates spend the smallest portion on attack ads, while outside groups are most likely to go negative.
The lion’s share of dark money spending targeted the presidential contest, where dark money heavily favored the Democratic Party. The major Republican and Democratic groups focused on congressional races virtually tied in dark money.
May 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The lion’s share of dark money spending targeted the presidential contest, where dark money heavily favored the Democratic Party. The major Republican and Democratic groups focused on congressional races virtually tied in dark money.
Dark money (election spending & contributions by nonprofits & shell cos. that are not legally required to and don’t disclose their donors) has shifted over the years & is now mostly contributions to allied super PACs, the biggest are affiliated with prez candidates & Hill party leaders.
May 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Dark money (election spending & contributions by nonprofits & shell cos. that are not legally required to and don’t disclose their donors) has shifted over the years & is now mostly contributions to allied super PACs, the biggest are affiliated with prez candidates & Hill party leaders.
The lion’s share of dark money spending targeted the presidential contest, where dark money heavily favored the Democratic Party. The major Republican and Democratic groups focused on congressional races virtually tied in dark money.
May 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The lion’s share of dark money spending targeted the presidential contest, where dark money heavily favored the Democratic Party. The major Republican and Democratic groups focused on congressional races virtually tied in dark money.
Dark money (election spending & contributions by nonprofits & shell cos. that are not legally required to and don’t disclose their donors) has shifted over the years & is now mostly contributions to allied super PACs, the biggest are affiliated with prez candidates & Hill party leaders.
May 7, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Dark money (election spending & contributions by nonprofits & shell cos. that are not legally required to and don’t disclose their donors) has shifted over the years & is now mostly contributions to allied super PACs, the biggest are affiliated with prez candidates & Hill party leaders.
New York State is leading the way with reforms needed to respond to the big money in politics of the Citizens United era. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
February 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
New York State is leading the way with reforms needed to respond to the big money in politics of the Citizens United era. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Public funds energized small donors: an estimated 50,800 made in-district contributions (in a cycle with no statewide offices on the ballot), which is twice as many as in recent elections.
February 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Public funds energized small donors: an estimated 50,800 made in-district contributions (in a cycle with no statewide offices on the ballot), which is twice as many as in recent elections.
NY public financing multiplies donations of $250 or less from constituents. It made small donors a big force in state elections, allowing candidates to focus on the real people they would represent instead of big checks from special interests.
February 14, 2025 at 3:51 PM
NY public financing multiplies donations of $250 or less from constituents. It made small donors a big force in state elections, allowing candidates to focus on the real people they would represent instead of big checks from special interests.
Candidates eagerly participated across the state, both incumbent and challenger, Democrat and Republican, high- and low-income districts.
February 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Candidates eagerly participated across the state, both incumbent and challenger, Democrat and Republican, high- and low-income districts.
Before reform, candidates could either focus on constituent small donors OR amass a sizable war chest, but not both. With public financing, plenty of candidates who took in large amounts relied heavily on small donations in their district.
February 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Before reform, candidates could either focus on constituent small donors OR amass a sizable war chest, but not both. With public financing, plenty of candidates who took in large amounts relied heavily on small donations in their district.
Public funds energized small donors: an estimated 50,800 made in-district contributions (in a cycle with no statewide offices on the ballot), which is twice as many as in recent elections.
February 6, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Public funds energized small donors: an estimated 50,800 made in-district contributions (in a cycle with no statewide offices on the ballot), which is twice as many as in recent elections.
NY public financing multiplies donations of $250 or less from constituents. It made small donors a big force in state elections, allowing candidates to focus on the real people they would represent instead of big checks from special interests.
February 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
NY public financing multiplies donations of $250 or less from constituents. It made small donors a big force in state elections, allowing candidates to focus on the real people they would represent instead of big checks from special interests.
The story of how Elon Musk’s young employees gained control of sensitive government data and spending decisions begins in 2010, when five judges twisted the First Amendment to ensure corporations and the individuals who get rich off them can spend as much as they want on elections.
February 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The story of how Elon Musk’s young employees gained control of sensitive government data and spending decisions begins in 2010, when five judges twisted the First Amendment to ensure corporations and the individuals who get rich off them can spend as much as they want on elections.
Most of the spending was by federal campaigns and super PACs, and it spiked as Election Day approached.
January 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Most of the spending was by federal campaigns and super PACs, and it spiked as Election Day approached.
Dark money continued to dominate federal contests. Just one example is the way party-affiliated super PACs rely on sister groups that keep their donors secret.
January 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Dark money continued to dominate federal contests. Just one example is the way party-affiliated super PACs rely on sister groups that keep their donors secret.
A handful of megadonors helped Trump narrow the fundraising gap with Harris, and one of them essentially helped run his campaign.
January 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A handful of megadonors helped Trump narrow the fundraising gap with Harris, and one of them essentially helped run his campaign.
The biggest megadonors keep giving more money. They spent more than twice as much on presidential super PACs in 2024 compared to 2020, with the greatest difference benefiting Trump. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
November 26, 2024 at 4:07 PM
The biggest megadonors keep giving more money. They spent more than twice as much on presidential super PACs in 2024 compared to 2020, with the greatest difference benefiting Trump. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
