Alaska House votes down restrictions and disclosure rules for 'dark money' campaign cash

The Changing Politics of Oligarchy

In American politics, the main beneficiaries of “dark money” have in recent years tended to be Democrats. Google representatives were reported to have visited the White House at least 427 times during Barack Obama’s two terms. And in 2024, big spenders like Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, Marc Benioff, Alex Soros, James Murdoch, Michael Bloomberg, and various donors from Wall Street helped Kamala Harris raise over US$1.5 billion for her campaign, the …

Alaska House votes down restrictions and disclosure rules for 'dark money' campaign cash

The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Ahead of its vote on a bill to restrict political donations in state elections, members of the House’s multipartisan majority rejected a series of amendments that would have expanded the bill. Among the rejected proposals were ideas to require greater disclosure of donations funneled through so-called dark mone…

Alaska House votes down restrictions and disclosure rules for ‘dark money’ campaign cash

The Alaska and American flags fly in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)Ahead of its vote on a bill to restrict political donations in state elections, members of the House’s multipartisan majority rejected a series of amendments that would have expanded the bill.  Among the rejected proposals were ideas to require greater disclosure of donations funneled through so-called dark mone…

Alaska’s attorney general should investigate dark money influences

It’s often important to look at the funding sources for any political issue – and the debate about RCV is no exception. But to use the “look-whose-funding-this-issue” as the main argument for being opposed always makes me wonder: Is that the only argument they have against it? Again, funding sources are useful, but arguments that dwell on the issue itself should be front and center of any legitimate argument either for or against. In short, is t…