Democratic Senators Urge DNC to Ban Billionaire-Backed Super PACs in Primaries

The 2010 *Citizens United* ruling removed limits on independent political spending, spurring a surge in corporate and billionaire-funded super PACs. A Senate bloc dubbed “Fight Club” has formed to oppose candidates backed by such money, while the DNC recently passed a broad anti-dark-money resolution without naming specific donors.

Common Dreams

Senators Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch and Chris Van Hollen wrote to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and DNC Chair Ken Martin urging the DNC to require Democratic primary candidates to sign a pledge rejecting billionaire- and corporate-backed super PAC spending, with enforcement tools such as endorsement withholding.

Common Dreams

The senators cite crypto-aligned groups plan $200 million, AIPAC-affiliated entities control $90 million+, AI industry has spent $185 million, Illinois primaries saw $50 million (half from AIPAC shells), AIPAC-backed super PAC gave $500,000 to Pennsylvania candidate Ala Stanford, and Republican billionaires funded a $2 million ad against Democratic front-runner Graham Platner.

Common Dreams

• "Corporate-funded super PACs are shaping the 2026 elections as we speak, and the scale of their resources is unprecedented." — Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator (Vermont)

Common Dreams

• "We cannot allow unlimited outside spending to distort our elections or drown out the voices of working people." — Bernie Sanders and co-senators (as per letter)

Common Dreams

• "If the Democrats are going to be honest and consistent in terms of their concerns about money and politics, they’ve got to clean up, in my view, their own house immediately." — Bernie Sanders, interview

Common Dreams

• "Overturning the Supreme Court's 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ... was probably more important than any other single thing we could do to preserve this great and grand democracy." — Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (as cited)

Common Dreams

The senators called the pledge a long-term goal and a responsibility to protect democratic processes, citing Schumer’s view that overturning *Citizens United* is the most important step to preserve democracy and noting that the DNC resolution, as a first step, needs enforceable rules.

Common Dreams

A DNC panel rejected a resolution that would have singled out AIPAC’s $100 million-plus spending blitz, showing resistance to stricter curbs and highlighting a split between the “Fight Club” senators and party leadership.

Common Dreams

The senators cite crypto, AI and AIPAC spending figures, but the sources lack independent verification, and the DNC has not explained how pledge-enforcement tools would function.

Common Dreams

Unrestricted super PAC spending can drown out grassroots fundraising, reshaping Democratic primaries toward wealthy-backed candidates and undermining the party’s working-class commitment.

Common Dreams

The senators will press the DNC and state parties to adopt the pledge and enforcement mechanisms such as endorsement withholding, while reaffirming overturning *Citizens United* as a long-term goal.

Common Dreams