OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan research organization, released an eye-opening report titled “The Nationalization of Political Contributions and the Rising Role of Out-of-State Donations.”
This study delves into the increasing trend of political donors and activists channeling their attention and funds towards races beyond their home states.
Al Gross, who ran against Sen. Dan Sullivan in 2020, made the list, raising nearly 91% of his campaign war chest from non-Alaskans.
The report sheds light on the impact of out-of-state contributions on political campaigns. In a list that contains data from 2020 to 2022, Al Gross was #19 for having the most out-of-state contributions. For 2020 alone, Gross was #13, after people like first-placer Amy McGrath, a Democrat from Kentucky, who raised more than 97% of her campaign funds from non-Kentuckians. Jamie Harrison, a Democrat from South Carolina came second, with more than 95% of his funds coming from out of state.
The top five who won those out-of-state dollars were all Democrats and few Republicans showed up on the list. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky were Republicans who did.
Dr. Gross was a registered independent, but had been a Democrat until making a calculated decision that he could not win under the blue flag. He had the endorsement of the Alaska Democratic Party, which now calls him a “loser.”
Although had the national support of the anti-Republican operation called the Lincoln Project, Gross lost in the general election in 2020, even with Democrats not advancing their own candidate, but accepting him as their own.
Sen. Dan Sullivan won with 54% of the vote, with Gross getting 41.2%
“All politics is local, but OpenSecrets also finds that the inverse is true: all politics is increasingly national, said OpenSecrets Research Director Sarah Bryner, the author of the report. “While a donor might not expect a candidate from Vermont to help fill potholes down the road, they may justifiably see that the same candidate might cast a decisive vote on a tax bill or health care package with far-reaching implications.”
In 2021, OpenSecrets merged with the National Institute on Money in Politics and the Center for Responsive Politics, giving it greater ability to analyze the trove of election data.
A recent Supreme Court race in Wisconsin serves as a prime example of the growing nationalization of state and local political contests. In this particular race, the victorious Janet Protasiewicz managed to outfundraise her conservative opponent Daniel Kelly by a staggering five-to-one margin. Of the $14 million she raised, over $2.6 million came from out-of-state donors, underscoring the influence of external contributors on state-level campaigns, including Supreme Courts in states where they are elected offices.
As federal races have become progressively more expensive, federal candidates have gradually reduced their dependence on funds from within their respective states. OpenSecrets data reveals a declining percentage of money derived from in-state donors since the turn of the millennium.
While Republican candidates still rely more heavily on in-state funding compared to Democrats, the gap has narrowed in recent years, indicating a shift in donation patterns.
Interestingly, not all candidates are compelled to seek out-of-state fundraising. Candidates with a lower rate of out-of-state donors may still enjoy popularity within their home states or encounter unique circumstances during general elections. Moreover, candidates from larger states and those perceived as long-shot contenders tend to heavily rely on in-state donors.
Read the OpenSecrets report at this link.
Is it slimy? Yes.
If it’s not illegal, then the GOP needs to learn how to play the game, and play it better.
What about it makes it slimy?
The Democrat’s put their rear hoof print on it.
Therefore, it becomes slimy by handling. But that’s true with about everything the Democrats handle.
What makes it slimy?
Why does an organization from outside care? Why is it so important for the Democrats to “turn states/cities blue?”
It is slimy because they are purchasing elections, legislative seats, and executive positions. And, no there is no direct exchange of funds, but advertising and marketing work. And that is what is slimy about it. Instead of electing the best candidate, we end up electing the candidate with the best advertising. And, all too often, that candidate is awful. Too many recent examples to bother listing.
If I donated to a candidate in Kentucky, despite not living in Kentucky, am I slimy or am I purchasing the Kentucky election? If I advertise that I like their ideas am I turning their state red/blue? The truth is they don’t have to do a single thing that I want. I can hope that they do something all I want, but they can just take my money, use it, and give nothing in return. Just like any other candidate can.
Sure seems the governor is out of state looking for support a lot to me.
This is largely how and why we had rank choice voting shoved down our throats. Elite Juneau political hacks spend much of their time strategizing with big money Democrats, and it’s part of a strategy to shut down the oil industry and turn Alaska bright blue.
What? Our great bear hunting doctor writes opioid prescriptions for out-of-state Democrats too? Sign me up, please.
Is there any validity to your insinuation or is this more of a random accusation?
TB,
They don’t call Gross “doc feel good” for nothing. I think it’s more fact than insinuation or accusation.
Opioid, please back up your allegation. Otherwise it is just slander. You know how to make sure that we start loving Al Gross??? Falsely accuse him of things.
The sad thing about this is that Republicans quite correctly complain when this tactic is employed against them. But then are eager to employ it against others.
Hippler, if you are an opiod addict, Dr. Gross is your best friend. He thought that enough Alaskans were addicted that he had a shot at winning. Gross was just a phoney candidate who tried to cover his *as by not calling himself a Democrat. But he sure acted like one. And Alaskans knew it.
“But then are eager to employ it against others.”
I cannot really think of many examples where the Republicans employed this tactic. Not to anywhere near the extent the Dems do.
Now, there was McConnell spending millions to get Murky elected, but that is using the tactic against a fellow Republican. Not quite the same.
.
Where is the GOP’s “Turn XYZ city or state red” efforts? I am just not seeing it.
He’s a gillnetter. Hands down one of if not the laziest way for a man to make a half of a living. The other half of your living is when you collect federal handouts because you had a bad season.
When the local citizens figure out the treachery and gamesmanship being out-played by the wealthy and moneyed influencers, what specific options do local citizens exercise, regardless of laws, morals and ethics? Don’t be surprised as Citizenry will only be pushed around and taken advantage-of, only so far before taking actions into their own hands so as to level the playing field. I don’t think we’re at that point yet, and I certainly don’t advocate that but, it sure seems possible and within the realm.
Did you place a call to Santa Barbara to confirm any of this with the Bear doctor? I am assuming that Al lives there now.
Meanwhile back at the Republican Ranch, Lisa Murkowski’s top five contributes are all from out of state…..
American Israel Public Affairs Cmte $59,500
KKR & Co $52,571
Capital Group Companies $46,500
BlackRock Inc $46,400
ConocoPhillips $41,450
Lisa gets $ from Black Rock? Gosh, who saw that coming? Isn’t she big in supporting that war in Ukraine?
Thanks Bob, great comment.
Sorry, you called Murkowski a Republican. She is dyed in the wool Democrat pretending to be a Republican. There is nothing republican about her in any way. In fact, the donors you list… pretty much confirm she is a leftist.
A little known fact is that Al Gross was at the very top of the “Creepiest candidates in Alaska” list……
Al Gross makes top 20 list of SCUM BAG Politicians!
Still wondering why he dropped out?? Fat paycheck is why!!
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