Between the start of last year through the midpoint of last month, roughly $24 million has been raised for Louisiana’s gubernatorial election, notes Jeremy Alford in his latest column.
“But that’s not a figure for which the candidates alone can take credit,” he writes. “Nearly 40% of the haul was collected by super PACs, which are a special breed of political action committees that can accept unlimited contributions.”
Alford notes that this is the first time super PACs have ever played in an election for governor and he says they’ve kicked open a new chapter in Louisiana’s political history.
“If you want to understand our politics heading into the next generation, you should follow the money. And this year, the money leads to the super PACs,” he writes.
Of the $4.5 million spent on television ads for the governor’s race, 29% of the media buys so far have originated with super PACs, according to the Center for Public Integrity.
“These spots have largely been negative, allowing the super PACs to get muddy on behalf of their chosen candidates without the candidates themselves becoming dirty—in other words, super PAC attacks give the candidates a degree of separation and deniability,” says Alford.
That’s because super PACs are not legally permitted to communicate or coordinate with the campaigns they support in terms of strategy. But Alford notes they can, however, call each other every single day to share fundraising information, and the candidates can even direct donors who have reached their legal limits with the campaigns to the super PACs so they can keep giving.
If you want to have a strong voice in Louisiana politics—but only want to make it happen behind the scenes with a bit of cash—super PACs offer the perfect vehicle, Alford says.
“Prior to this year, influencers had to nickel and dime their way into lead roles—bundling donations from family and employees, giving to the state parties and helping with independent expenditures,” he writes. “But now it can be accomplished with a single check.”
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
