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The landmark Citizens United decision, which paved the way for mega outside spending in elections, just entered its teenage years. In the 13 years and (almost) seven cycles since the Supreme Court opened the way for super PACs, such groups have invested more than $7.6 billion to influence voters, according to OpenSecrets.org. It began in 2010 with a trickle of $62.6 million in independent expenditures. In the 2022 midterm campaigns, outside groups spent more than $1.9 billion.
Super PACs may raise and spend an unlimited amount of money, but they aren’t legally allowed to coordinate directly with candidates. Because of that, they typically take on the attack dog role, running mostly negative ads bashing a candidate. These spots may sway voters, but voters still say they hate them — and money in politics has itself become a messaging flashpoint on the campaign trail amid stalemate between the parties. Democrats say they back big changes, while Republicans do not.
