When was the last time you heard someone say, âWow, I canât wait to see another campaign ad on TV?â
Yet in 2020, candidates spent about $14 billion on their campaigns. Letâs begin by defining campaign financing that is being practiced today.
* Communication Costs: This category applies primarily to unions, trade groups and other member organizations who expressly advocate the election or defeat of a federal candidate.
* Independent Expenditure, aka âDark Moneyâ: This is money spent on political advertising in support of or against a particular candidate from outside a candidateâs election organization. Generally, there is no limit placed on independent expenditures.