As the Midterm elections of 2022 draw closer, the MSM and the Republican Party continue to parrot the tale of doom that the Presidents’ Party always loses seats in that election. While often the case historically, it’s not a certainty, and Dems are feeling a sudden surge in both energy and fundraising success this year. Though much of the campaign work and fundraising has been under the radar, and not making any headlines or major news, The truth is that ActBlue and other groups such as MoveOn have been extremely successful in 2022, raising record sums of money. [Details below]
While fundraising is only one measure of enthusiasm, it is one of the easiest means of measurement. It’s a clue to how much engagement, how much intensity, and how willing participants are to do the hard work of political campaigning. Money alone is no guarantee of success, but it’s an invaluable tool. It allows hiring of staff and consultants, renting of office space(s), buys ads for TV/Cable time, newspaper and magazine ads, pays for mailing of flyers and postcards, and much, much more.
In the runup to the 2018 Midterm elections, ActBlue donors gave (in April) $55.9 million dollars. Compare that to April this year, in which $124.7 million dollars was raised. Though it’s well below the amount raised in the 2020 general election month of April- $140.9 million, it’s still an impressive amount. And we will soon have May fundraising reports for ActBlue.
Let’s take a look at the “Election cycle” comparison, or beginning of the previous year thru April of the last 3 elections. In the 2018 cycle (thru April) , ActBlue took in $758.3 million, vs $1,728.9 million in 2020- (or $1.7 billion dollars), and $1,760.9 million dollars in 2022!!! Even a cynic would have to admit that’s a Lot of money. I have to note, however, that those 2022 funds are now going to twice the number of campaigns and nonprofits in 2022, with about 22,074 national, state, and local campaigns (and some nonprofits) benefitting from those donations., as opposed to “only” 11,058 campaigns in 2018.
Another perspective on the “enthusiasm” metric is the number of people making donations. For April alone, in 2018 there were 7,056 donors to ActBlue, vs. 12,883 donors in 2022, and in 2020 there 8,669 donors. In short, a lot more people are donating. the cycle-to-cycle comparison is even better, with 3,261 million unique donors in 2018 vs 5.228 million donors in 2022, and 8.023 million unique donors in the 2020 general election. That is obviously a huge increase in people giving up thier
Average donation sizes also increased this year- to $39.71 per donation, vs $38.28 in 2018 and $31.65 in 2020. People are giving more per donation, and many more people are making donations. That is yet another indication that enthusiasm has been heightened!
In my previous diary, titled “Pro-choice voter enthusiasm is far higher than I predicted”, published May 1, 2022, I was focused on how the possible gutting of Roe V. Wade (which was virtually confirmed by a SCOTUS leak of the Justice S. Alito memo on May 2nd). The Dir. of Advocacy Communications for Planned Parenthood, Sam Lau, said that “If the Supreme Court [throws out] Roe v. Wade, it will drive historic turnout in the Democratic Party. It will be driven by anger {at} politicians.”
That early May event won’t be reflected in ActBlue fundraising reports till their next report-due roughly June 18th. But Lau’s comments were prescient, and I am confident that he will be proven right!! Over a million women (and men and children) participated in Marches for Abortion rights/Reproductive rights across the US over May 14th, and that is just a harbinger of the anger and resolve generated by the SCOTUS memo.
ACTBLUE- Topline Numbers APR ‘18 Apr “20 Apr ‘22
Contributions 1,459,870 4,453,554 3,138,854
Dollars Raised $55,885,812 $140,937,498 $124,658,386
Average Contribution $38.28 $31.65 $39.71
Unique Donors 702,637 1,805,894 1,272,189
Unique Campaigns, Committees, 7,056 8,669 12,883
and Organizations
CYCLE-TO-CYCLE COMPARISON 2018-THRU Apr “18 2020 thru Apr ‘20 2022 thru Apr ‘22
Contributions 22,459,013 56,667,679 47,685,977
Dollars Raised $758,254,939 $1,728,971,047 $1,760,946,419
Average Contribution $33.76 $30.51 $36.93
Unique Donors 3,261,907 8,023,198 5,228,867
Unique campaigns, Comms., 11,058 16,620 22,074
& Organizations
Lots of PACs are involved in this-and every- election, and ActBlue is the most prominent for Democrats. But it is only one of many. I did a closer look at the PACS doing major fundraising & spending in this election cycle, I was surprised at the numbers of groups, as well as the vast amounts being raised. In the current cycle, ActBlue was the No. 1 group among the top 20 PACs by amount raised in the 2012-22 cycle. Also prominent were:
Democracy PAC- ------- -- $151,062,403
Senate Majority PAC----- $84,663,882
House majority PAC ----- $69,427,010
Service Empl. Int’l Union- $56,659,642
Emily’s List -----------------— $47,019,668
Moveon.org ----------------— $37,426,008
***Big news- on May 17, 2022, Moveon.org announced “MoveOn is mobilizing millions of voters to protect democracy from the extreme right. Program will include key down-ballot races, including secretary of state. Washington, D.C. – Today, MoveOn Political Action announced the launch of its 2022 political program: America for All: Us v. MAGA. MoveOn is mobilizing millions of voters to protect democracy from the […]” In short, they brought a big infusion of money into the heated races & campaigns of 2022. Moveon is one of the earlier of the progressive groups to get involved in supporting democracy & progressive causes in the US.
Coming in the near future, how big a role will US Labor Unions play in 2022?? Will environmental groups like League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, et al, be highly motivated this year?? WE already know that Democratic Groups will be intensively active, as well as Abortion Rights & Reproductive Rights groups, but who else will be key players in gigantic struggle this fall??
Part III will be coming soon!