TL;DR
A recent article challenges the idealized view of small-dollar donors as moderating forces in US politics. Despite their rising influence, evidence suggests they are highly partisan and contribute to polarization. The story explores what this means for future elections and reforms.
A recent opinion piece questions the widely held belief that small-dollar donors serve as a moderating influence in American politics. The author now argues that these donors are highly partisan, contributing to increased polarization and supporting extreme candidates. This reevaluation comes amid rising concerns about the influence of grassroots money and the limitations of campaign finance reforms.
The article discusses how small donors, who contributed over $2 billion to congressional races from 2016 to 2020, are not the moderating force many believed them to be. Instead, data from political scientists Zachary Albert and Raymond La Raja shows they tend to be highly partisan, often supporting extreme candidates rather than moderates. Their donations are heavily nationalized, often sent out of state to attention-grabbing figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marjorie Taylor Greene, rather than focusing on local impact.
Despite the rise of online donation platforms such as ActBlue and WinRed, the influence of small donors has not translated into less polarized politics. Instead, their contributions have been associated with increased ideological extremism, as they tend to support candidates with strong, often radical, beliefs. This phenomenon has challenged the assumption that small donors can counterbalance the power of large, wealthy donors, who are often more moderate and strategic, according to the same research.
The author reflects on personal beliefs about campaign finance reform, acknowledging that initial hopes for small donors as a force for moderation may have been misplaced. Instead, the evidence suggests that grassroots money may be fueling the very polarization many reformers sought to diminish, complicating efforts to reform campaign finance laws.
Implications of Small Donor Partisanship for US Politics
The realization that small-dollar donors are highly partisan and contribute to polarization challenges the narrative that grassroots money naturally moderates political debate. This has significant implications for future election strategies, campaign finance reforms, and the overall health of American democracy. Policymakers and reform advocates may need to reconsider assumptions about the power of small donors and explore new approaches to reduce political extremism.
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Rise of Small Donors and Their Political Impact
Over the past decade, small donors have become a dominant force in US elections, with contributions surpassing those of large donors in many races. The 2016-2020 period saw small donors spending over $2 billion on congressional campaigns, and in 2024, their contributions have more than doubled compared to previous years. Platforms like ActBlue and WinRed have facilitated this surge, making grassroots funding more accessible and widespread.
However, research by Albert and La Raja indicates that these donors are often highly partisan, supporting candidates with extreme ideological positions. Their donations tend to be nationalized rather than locally focused, and they frequently support out-of-state candidates with high-profile appeal. This pattern has contributed to increased polarization, contrary to hopes that small donors would promote moderation.
Historically, campaign finance laws were designed to limit the influence of wealthy donors, but landmark Supreme Court rulings like Citizens United (2010) and McCutcheon (2014) weakened these restrictions. The resulting landscape has seen a rise in super PACs and dark-money groups, further complicating efforts to regulate political spending.
“Small donors are highly partisan and tend to support extreme candidates rather than moderates.”
— Zachary Albert, political scientist at Brandeis University
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Unresolved Questions About Small Donor Influence
It remains unclear whether the current patterns of small donor support will change as political dynamics evolve. While data shows high partisanship among these donors, it is not yet confirmed whether future campaigns will see a shift toward more moderate giving or if reforms will alter their behavior. Additionally, the long-term impact of small donors on political polarization is still being studied, and definitive conclusions have yet to be reached.
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Future Research and Potential Policy Changes
Researchers will likely continue examining the behavior of small donors and their influence on polarization. Policymakers and reform advocates may also explore new campaign finance strategies aimed at reducing extremism, such as targeted limits on out-of-state donations or enhanced transparency measures. The upcoming election cycle could serve as a test case for whether small donors’ role in politics shifts or remains a source of division.
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Key Questions
Are small-dollar donors actually moderating politics?
Current evidence suggests they are highly partisan and tend to support extreme candidates rather than moderates.
Has the rise of small donors reduced the influence of large, wealthy donors?
Research indicates that large donors, often more moderate, have seen their influence diminish relative to grassroots donors, but this has not led to less polarization.
Can reforms change the partisan nature of small-dollar donations?
It is uncertain; ongoing debates about campaign finance laws and transparency measures aim to address this issue, but their effectiveness remains to be seen.
Does small donor support favor certain candidates or issues?
Small donors tend to support high-profile, attention-grabbing candidates and issues that resonate nationally, often out of state.
Source: The Atlantic
