More than 17 months before the November election, filings at the FEC show that some of the bigger supporting players in politics are getting into electoral form.
Continue readingTop outside spenders in 2014 primaries: Winners, losers and some long-term investors
The biggest primary election spenders threw millions of dollars at opponents who went on to win.
Continue readingCampaign Intelligence: Super PAC spending brings home wins in Georgia primary elections
Two pro-gun groups spent $9,000 in two and one-half weeks on the winning candidate in a House primary in Georgia. The down-to-the-wire money dump marks one of the anti-establishment success stories from Tuesday’s run-off elections in Georgia.
Continue readingAll-Star break: Anti-establishment groups spend big for few upsets
Though the GOP's conservative wing has scored a few upsets, campaign finance data collected by Real-Time FEC show just how much of their resources have gone to losing candidates.
Continue readingFebruary filings: Following the political money trail
The February financial reports are in for political committees filing on a monthly schedule. Some of the highlights? The DNC outraises Republicans, labor unions play state politics and Club for Growth scores another million dollar donation.
Continue reading2014 races we’re watching
Using our trackers Sunlight makes it easy to track the advertisements, money and fundraisers in 2014's most pivotal races. Follow the money to see who is influencing your vote — and how much they're paying.
Continue readingMoney talks: Introducing Real-Time’s new competitive primaries page
As the primary season gets underway, Sunlight's Real-Time FEC tracker rolls out a new tool to target the contests that are the most competitive. One headline: Democratic Senate challengers are MIA.
Continue readingChristmas come early? US Chamber spends $750k in one week
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $750,000 in the past week on ad buys for mainstream Republican candidates in four races, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and Senate hopeful Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.V.
Continue readingIt’s not just Republican House incumbents who face primary opposition
If the media coverage of shutdown politics is to be believed, House Republicans' fear of 'getting primaried' bya more conservative opponent was the major impediment to moderate GOP-ers reaching a bargain with Democrats on healthcare and federal spending. However, a survey of competitive House primaries -- compiled using Sunlight's Realtime FEC tracker -- shows that incumbent Democrats are also subject to serious challenges from partisan opponents.
Continue readingDeMint leads from afar in Obamacare fight
"I personally believe I can do a lot more on the outside than I can on the inside," former Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., (pictured right) told reporters concerning his decision to leave his Senate post for the helm the conservative Heritage Foundation in December of last year.
While he may no longer claim a seat on the floor of the upper chamber, the 62 year old who was a tea partier before there was a Tea Party is still very much at the center of the congressional scrum over the Affordable Care Act and budget negotiations.
In his time ...
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