Super PACs and state parties

In line with our topic on campaign finance, Politico reported yesterday on a problem for state and local parties, super PACs.

"State party officials across the country say the explosion of money into super PACs, nonprofit groups and presidential campaigns has made fundraising more difficult. And some of those outside groups are starting to take over the traditional local roles state parties play, spending big on voter contact and outreach operations."

Because these groups can focus on single issues and do not have the same disclosure regulations as political parties, donors are starting to funnel their money away from local parties towards issue advocacy groups and super PACs. As a result candidates are responding more to these outside groups and less to state and local parties.