Douglas H. Weber

Senior Researcher at OpenSecrets, resident of Alexandria, VA

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

The numbers for January-June political fundraising are in, and we've tallied them up to see which House and Senate candidates raised the most money, and who has the most in the bank. More data at: https://t.co/rc9yxZf2mO

[Dave Levinthal @davelevinthal]

Campaign finance reform is *mostly* dead — but mostly dead is slightly alive.

New from me in @OpenSecretsDC: https://t.co/2Xy5y31eSb

[The Lead CNN @TheLeadCNN]

Tracking the dark money behind a fake Harris site
Watch the full video here: https://t.co/FNE6RYbzta

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

🎉 Exciting news! OpenSecrets just launched an upgraded website with a brand-new look, making it easier than ever to track political money.

Explore the new experience and discover the latest features: https://t.co/3FzTHk6WXY

[Quest Means Business @questCNN]

"It's a risk, but it's one that Trump is willing to take. They are taking the bet that [Musk] is going to be better able to get people...to the polls than Trump."
@OpenSecretsDC's @AKSarahB on the Trump campaign outsourcing its ground game to celebrity-backed PACs.@jchatterleyCNN

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

Inflation has been significant between 2020 and 2024. Adjusting for inflation, the 2020 election total would be $18.3 billion today—but 2024 is notable in its own right. https://t.co/QpG9dPPDnZ

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

NEW: OpenSecrets projects the 2024 election will be the most expensive federal cycle ever — estimated to surpass 15.9 billion — on track to be the costliest ever https://t.co/2BZH8iUNRo]

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

You may be inundated with texts and emails from campaigns asking for contributions, but how exactly is that money spent?

OpenSecrets research director @AKSarahB joined @1a to discuss: https://t.co/H5z3BzPFRQ

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

NEW: "Guardian angel” megadonors poured about $196M into influencing 2024 federal elections through June 30, with millions more expected as November approaches.

https://t.co/ESOcMpm75P

[Anna Massoglia @annalecta]

NEW on @OpenSecretsDC: Senator Bob Menendez, who was found guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial, has steered used millions of dollars in donor funds to cover legal costs — setting a new record for the New Jersey Democrat's campaign. https://t.co/0hrFUSx5kA

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

How can Elon Musk donate 1,363,500% MORE in one month than the legal campaign contribution limit?

⬇️ Let's break it down

[Douglas H. Weber @DougWeber_CRP]

@andymayers You realize it could just be an advertisement for a local business.

[Anna Massoglia @annalecta]

The Chinese Embassy reportedly lobbying congressional staff against legislation to force ByeDance to sell TikTok is especially interesting since China's embassy currently has no foreign agents registered under FARA... and the diplomatic exemption is limited to official functions.

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

NEW: McConnell’s announcement that he will be stepping down from the Republican Party’s Senate leadership in November has started a succession bid that will require contenders to showcase their fundraising skills.

https://t.co/fvHKgUUeX7

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

NEW: 'Guardian Angel' donors poured $124M into outside spending groups like super PACs in 2023. Just 5 billionaires drove 79% of these donations, with some backing election denial campaigns.

➡️ Meet top spenders shaping the 2024 election (1/🧵): https://t.co/WofYq4YbXK

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

NEW: Polls show Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is the frontrunner ahead of a potential three-way Senate race against Sen. Krysten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Kari Lake.

Gallego raised nearly four times as much money as Sinema last quarter.

https://t.co/50Ys3VROTh

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

NEW: Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster spurs big money race for House leadership, and fundraising prowess is anticipated to be a key factor in determining who lands congressional leadership roles. 1/🧵

Article: https://t.co/MpmIHhrmLx

[OpenSecrets.org @OpenSecretsDC]

Our fall internship deadline is fast approaching! Apply to work with OpenSecrets as a reporting OR research intern by July 22nd!

Visit https://t.co/iITba23CV4 to learn more.

[Anna Massoglia @annalecta]

New on @OpenSecretsDC: Dark money groups & shell companies poured more than $615 million into 2022 political contributions—a new midterm record—but disclosed less direct spending to the FEC than any election cycle since SCOTUS' 2010 Citizens United ruling. https://t.co/CW7qPbs5FI

[Anna Massoglia @annalecta]

NEW: @OpenSecretsDC investigation reveals Publix heiress Julie Fancelli used a charity to steer even more money to “dark money” groups involved in the pro-Trump rally on January 6th before the Capitol attack—with $1.3 million to Moms for America https://t.co/BMJ7fQMPH0