Issues 2016: Are Billionaires Buying Elections?
The largest slice of the “big money” in U.S. politics comes from organized labor, not from billionaires like the Koch brothers. In recent years, despite declining membership, organized labor has increased its political spending on elections and lobbying; while there is now far more money flowing into U.S. political campaigns, it is unclear if any group has gained a sizable advantage.
- The top spenders in U.S. campaigns and elections are labor unions.
- Unions give overwhelmingly to Democrats, a choice unreflective of their members’ political views and voting patterns.
- There is limited evidence that campaign spending has a major effect on U.S. election outcomes.
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