The influence of average Minnesotans over state elections is eroding. Recent reports show our state elections are becoming a game played by the affluent. The state needs to update its public financing program so that mainstream Minnesotans of all political persuasions do not become irrelevant.
Huge amounts of money have flooded into campaigns since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United. The river of money has flowed primarily through "independent" expenditure committees. These "independent" committees are spending more to influence Minnesota state election outcomes than state candidate committees spend.
The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board gathers and provides information to the public on campaign financing. The board has issued several reports in recent years that should give Minnesotans pause.
The board reported that $61 million was spent on state campaigns in 2018. This represents nearly an 80% increase over 2014 state campaign expenditures.
Of the $61 million spent in 2018, $33 million constituted "independent" expenditures. This is nearly twice the amount spent by independent expenditure committees in 2014.
Further, to fund the $61 million spent on Minnesota state elections in 2018, 78 individuals made contributions of $50,000 or more. These 78 people collectively contributed more than $18 million to affect the 2018 state elections.
By comparison, in 2014, only 32 individuals contributed $50,000 or more and their collective expenditures were approximately $5 million.
This dramatic increase in "mega-contributor" spending may reflect, in part, a recognition that Minnesota is a competitive state where outside money can have a major influence. Increasingly, money is flowing in from outside the state. For example, among the 78 mega-contributors in 2018, the name "Soros" (as in progressive George Soros and his relatives) appears four times.