Campaigns & Elections
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An Early Guide to Setting Priorities for the 2022 Elections
The House is probably gone and the Senate is going to be the obvious battleground. But a trio of Midwestern governorships could determine the fate of American democracy. Read more
Dec 22, 2021
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Money Down the Drain: Why Small Donors Make Dumb Choices
Small donors have emerged as a potent political force, but they too often give to candidates who are either doomed to lose or don't need any money. Here are how these dynamics play out. Read more
Nov 9, 2021
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Notes for Donors on the Electoral Disaster in Virginia and New Jersey
The Democrats running in Virginia and New Jersey had plenty of money to compete but still fell short. How should these election results inform the decisions that donors make in 2022 and beyond? Read more
Nov 3, 2021
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The Front Runner for an Open Senate Seat is Raising Lots of Early Money
In yet another example that Democratic donors are fired up, over 150,000 people have already contributed to the campaign of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman. Read more
Nov 2, 2021
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Is it Too Late to Help Democrats Win Virginia?
It's always better to donate earlier. But very late money can also make a difference, especially in down-ballot races where candidates are more likely to be strapped for cash. Read more
Oct 29, 2021
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Donors Are Wasting Millions on a Hopeless Campaign
Far-right House member Marjorie Taylor Greene isn't going to lose her seat, but her challengers are raising millions anyway in yet another example of ineffective "rage giving" on the left. Read more
Oct 29, 2021
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Despite Months of Stalemate in Congress, Democratic Donors Are Fired Up
Even as polls show President Joe Biden losing support among key groups of Democratic voters as his agenda remains stalled in Washington, record amounts of money are flowing to party committees and candidates. Read more
Oct 28, 2021
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Swing Left's Blueprint Tool Is Exactly What Democrats Need
Small donors are one of Democrats' main weapons, but the party hasn't been good at getting them to send their money where it's most needed. Blueprint aims to change that. Read more
Oct 26, 2021
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Why You Should (Usually) Give to Campaigns Instead of PACs
Super PACs send a constant stream of urgent fundraising appeals. But donors who want to get the most bang for their buck instead should focus on giving to individual candidates. Read more
Oct 23, 2021
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Emily's List/Women's Vote! is a Deep-Pocketed Backer of Women Candidates
In Blue Tent's recent evaluation of this leading liberal super PAC, we found a lot to like. But donors with strong progressive loyalties should know that Emily’s List/Women Vote! is very much part of the Democratic Party establishment. Read more
Oct 20, 2021
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Don't Donate to the Campaign to Primary Sinema
Progressives have good reasons to dislike the Arizona senator, but there are better ways to spend your money—like giving to pick up more Senate seats for Democrats in 2022. Read more
Oct 16, 2021
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Emily’s List/Women Vote!: What Donors Need to Know
Emily’s List supports women running for office, working to elect pro-choice women candidates to Congress, governorships, and state legislative positions around the country. Read more
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How Should Small Donors be Approaching the Battle for the Senate in 2022?
Small donors will face hard choices in the midterms. Should they focus their limited funds on defending hard-won recent pickups in Arizona and Georgia? Or prioritize winning seats in swing states? Read more
Oct 11, 2021
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In Just 5 Years, BlackPAC Has Become a Key Player in Elections
Founded in 2016, BlackPAC has bloomed into a critical force for mobilizing Black voters and attracted big money. How effective are its strategies, and who are its donors? Read more
Oct 6, 2021
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Political Advertising: What Donors Need to Know
When you give to a candidate, party committee or super PAC, there’s a good chance that your money will be used to pay for TV or digital advertising. How effective is such spending? Read more
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Big Spending With Very Mixed Results. Is the DSCC a Good Bet for Donors?
Donors should know that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has had a rough time in the past few cycles and made some questionable calls. But is it to blame for Democrats' losses? Read more
Oct 4, 2021
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As Both Parties Raise Record Amounts of Cash, Small Donors Loom Large
Small donors have transformed Democratic fundraising in recent years, but Republicans have made even larger gains on this front and are looking to capitalize on that momentum going into 2022. Read more
Oct 4, 2021
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Should Giving to the DNC be a Priority for Democratic Donors?
Giving to Democratic National Committee is a way to support the Democratic Party, but it’s also a vote of confidence that the DNC knows what it’s doing. Does it? And is this a good fit for most donors? Read more
Oct 3, 2021
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The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: What Donors Need to Know
The Senate is so important that donors should at least consider giving to the DSCC. But smaller donors will get more bang for their buck by giving to Senate campaigns directly or focusing on down-ballot races. Read more
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The Megadonors Who Came to Newsom's rescue
What was supposed to be a conservative rebuke of Newsom turned into another reminder of just how much money top Democratic donors can mobilize for electoral battle when the stakes are high. Read more
Sep 30, 2021
