Open Secrets.Org tracks the financing of politicans. They explain the basic trend.
Most members of Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — get the vast majority of their PAC contributions from business interests. Democrats usually get a substantial sum from labor unions; something Republicans rarely get. Newcomers to Congress – particularly in open seat races – may draw significant funds from ideological groups.
In almost all cases, the complexion of candidates’ financial backers changes once they win public office. The proportion of business dollars tends to rise, even for Democrats, as members get their committee assignments and begin tapping the industries they oversee for campaign contributions. Among incumbents, only the most liberal Democrats tend to get more money from labor unions than from business groups. Democratic newcomers, on the other hand, typically get strong labor support if they’re considered to have a good chance of winning election in the fall.
Here’s a familiar new member of Congress.
Patrick J. Murphy (PA-08)
Source of Funds:Individual contributions $1,813,504 (74.9%)
PAC contributions $476,920 (19.7%)
Candidate self-financing $0
Other $130,491 (5.4%)PAC Contribution Breakdown
Business $65,050 (11.3%)
Labor $152,600 (26.4%)
Ideological/Single Issue $359,938 (62.3%)
Here’s an entrenched member of Congress.
Albert Wynn (MD-04)
Source of Funds:
Individual contributions $314,849 (39.4%)
PAC contributions $474,875 (59.4%)
Candidate self-financing $0
Other $9,600 (1.2%)PAC Contribution Breakdown
Business $348,861 (73.7%)
Labor $106,750 (22.5%)
Ideological/Single Issue $17,825 (3.8%)
Any questions? Contribute to Donna Edwards’ campaign to unseat Albert Wynn.
Wynn ranks 184th on Progressive Punch’s scale of Government Checks on Corporate Power and 171st on Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful. He’s hopelessly out of touch with his district.
We can already see that winning Congress is not enough. We need fresh leadership that is not beholden to business interests and lobbyists.
