The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 25, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
January 21st was the 14th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgates of money in political campaigns. In Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, over $300 Million dollars has already been spent in just three early races.
CNN reports that $77 Million dollars was spent in the New Hampshire Primary by SuperPACs, candidates and other political groups. New Hampshire’s population is just 1.4 million people, and an estimated $55 dollars in advertising was spent for every man, woman and child, in the Granite State. An estimated turnout of 410,000 voters calculates to $188.00 spent per Primary vote.
Democracy group End Citizens United said over $11 Billion dollars has been spent in federal elections since the 2010 court decision. Most spending in elections now comes not from candidates, but political action committees allied with them. End Citizens United notes that 96% of outside, non-candidate spending has occurred since the Citizens United decision.
In the early Republican races alone, NPR reports that Nikki Haley’s campaign spent $9.3 Million dollars. Her SuperPAC and Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity Action spent $62.8 Million. The DeSantis’ campaign and PACs spent a combined $60 Million dollars, and Trump a combined $54 million.
We have more primary spending data and the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
CNN – New Hampshire ad spending tops $77 million as Haley and Trump fight to the finish
NPR – $300 million worth of ads have hit voters ahead of the first GOP primary contests
NH Secretary of State – SOS Predicts Presidential Primary Turnout
End Citizens United – End Citizens United Statement on the 14th Anniversary of Citizens United
Brennan Center for Justice – Citizens United Explained
Open Secrets – (2020) More money, less transparency: A decade under Citizens United
Groups Taking Action:
End Citizens United, Issue One, Open Democracy Action, Common Cause, Public Citizen, Equal Citizens
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