There's a new wedge issue playing out in Senate Dem primaries

Corporate PAC Money: A Muddy Debate in Democratic Primaries

In the high-stakes arena of Democratic primaries, a fierce tug-of-war has emerged over the acceptance of corporate PAC money. What began as a noble commitment to campaign finance reform has devolved into a complex and at times theatrical debate, raising questions about sincerity and the influence of money in politics.

This contentious issue has surfaced prominently in competitive Senate primary races, where candidates like Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and Michigan’s state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed are trying to differentiate themselves by pledging not to accept corporate PAC contributions. These pledges are intended to demonstrate their commitment to reform and to assure voters that they are not merely puppets of special interests.

Corporate PACs, which gather funds from employees to donate to political candidates, typically distribute their financial support evenly between Republicans and Democrats. However, a growing faction of Democratic contenders has opted out of these donations, citing the disproportionate sway that corporate interests hold over political outcomes.

Yet, for many of these candidates, the refusal to accept corporate PAC funds appears largely performative. A recent analysis by POLITICO highlights that over 99 percent of corporate PAC contributions this election cycle have gone to sitting officials, leaving non-incumbent candidates with little to gain from rejecting this funding. Furthermore, shunning one type of donation does not preclude candidates from receiving support from other external entities, often in amounts far exceeding what corporate PACs can provide.

Even more paradoxical is the fact that many Democratic senators continue to accept corporate PAC money while simultaneously endorsing candidates who vow to reject it. Stratton, for example, has made headlines for turning down corporate PAC contributions, yet has benefitted from a super PAC’s support, which has opened her to attacks from rival Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who himself has also received substantial super PAC backing. Flanagan and McMorrow have faced similar scrutiny for their past acceptance of corporate donations, raising eyebrows about the authenticity of their current anti-corporate stances.

This debate is not new; the call for corporate money rejection gained traction during the 2020 presidential primaries. However, its resurgence in Senate races signifies an evolving narrative within the Democratic Party. Candidates are increasingly recognizing the electoral advantages of positioning themselves against corporate influence, appealing not just to the party base but also to independent and even some Republican voters.

Michael Beckel, director of money in politics reform at Issue One, noted that “pledging to forego corporate PAC money is one way that candidates signal to voters that they reject business as usual in Washington and want to work to fix our broken campaign finance system.” However, he cautioned that even candidates who refuse PAC contributions are not entirely shielded from corporate influence.

As the debate rages on, corporate PACs represent a dwindling fraction of the financial landscape influencing races. With strict limits on their contributions ($5,000 per cycle, unchanged for decades), the real financial power now lies with super PACs—entities that candidates can criticize but don’t necessarily have to reject.

The Democratic National Committee is actively grappling with the implications of corporate money and is exploring how to restrict not just corporate donations but also enigmatic “dark money” that flows through nonprofit channels, especially as the party gears up for the 2028 presidential primary.

Tiffany Mueller, president of End Citizens United, emphasized that the trend of rejecting corporate money is indicative of a broader shift within the Democratic Party, where running on an anti-corruption platform is increasingly seen as a mainstream position rather than a fringe concern. This election cycle, the group has seen candidates sign pledges to reject corporate PAC money at a faster rate than in previous years.

In the lead-up to Illinois’s primary—where early voting is already underway—Stratton has made rejecting corporate PAC contributions a centerpiece of her campaign against Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly. She has criticized her opponents for benefiting from a “broken” campaign finance system, stating, “I’m the only candidate rejecting corporate PAC money because my campaign is about the people of Illinois, not special interests.”

Kelly, for her part, defended her decision to accept some corporate PAC donations, arguing that these funds have historically supported Democratic candidates and have not swayed her voting record. She expressed frustration over the expectation to contribute to her colleagues, emphasizing that much of her donation history has been about party dues rather than personal gain.

As Stratton seeks to position herself as a reform candidate, Krishnamoorthi’s campaign has launched attacks highlighting her financial backing from super PACs, dubbing her a recipient of “corporate and MAGA money.” Stratton has received substantial backing from a super PAC associated with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, while an opposing super PAC has spent nearly $10 million attacking her to bolster Krishnamoorthi’s bid.

This scrutiny of corporate PAC money is particularly poignant as most sitting Democratic senators continue to accept such donations, including those who are endorsing candidates in the primaries. In Minnesota, the conflict over corporate PAC donations has become a focal point, with Rep. Angie Craig criticizing Flanagan for accepting corporate PAC funds while leading the Democratic Lieutenant Governor’s Association. Flanagan’s camp has countered that she did not single-handedly control the group’s donor decisions.

As the Democratic primary battles unfold across various states, the divide over corporate PAC money extends from safe seats to highly competitive arenas. In Michigan, candidates are already sparring over the issue, with El-Sayed emphasizing that he has never accepted corporate PAC funds. Meanwhile, Rep. Haley Stevens continues to accept corporate PAC donations while touting her voting record on campaign finance reform.

The ongoing discourse surrounding corporate PAC money is emblematic of the broader struggle within the Democratic Party to reconcile the realities of fundraising with the growing demand for transparency and reform. As candidates grapple with their positions, the question remains: Can they genuinely distance themselves from the very corporate influences they pledge to reject?