Conservative-leaning group represented by a lawyer in the Citizens United case.
Players Guide
Who are the people and groups behind the TV ads in the 2014 federal elections? Below is a list of organizations that have been active or are expected to be active in raising and spending money to influence voters in 2014. Click on the links to read profiles of each organization. The groups were selected based on the amounts they have spent, or say they plan to spend, or the media attention they have attracted. It is not a comprehensive list, and additional groups will be added as the campaign season unfolds.
Many of these groups may legally raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. They are known as super PACs and must register with the Federal Election Commission. Others may legally raise unlimited donations and avoid disclosing their donors. Those groups do not file with the FEC, but register rather with the IRS under Section 501(c).
This is our third year providing a guide to groups seeking to influence federal elections. Our 2010 Players Guide and 2012 Players Guide are still available, although they have not been updated since those elections ended.
AFL-CIO
Large federation of labor unions is strongly Democratic.
Americans for Job Security
Pro-business group whose president is the former head of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
Alliance for a Better Minnesota
Union-funded group supporting Minnesota Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mark Dayton.
MN Forward
Pro-business, corporate-funded group backing Republican candidate Tom Emmer for governor of Minnesota.
MoveOn.org
Political action committee supporting Democratic candidates directly and through grassroots campaigns.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Labor union representing 2.2 million health care, government and property management workers. Leans Democratic.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Lobbying group representing more than 3 million businesses. Leans Right-center.
Republican State Leadership Committee
Focused on electing conservative Republicans to state offices.
Americans United for Change
Democratic-leaning group originally formed in 2005 to oppose President George W. Bush’s Social Security proposal.