Republican U.S. Senate candidate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seen here listening as President Donald Trump speaks at Peterbilt Motors, Oct. 1, 2026, in Denton, Texas, has been significantly outraised by his Democratic opponent James Talarico.

The Republican Plan to Buy the Election Got Too Expensive

by Bill Scher October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

New data shows the GOP’s money advantage has narrowed because it relies too heavily on super PACs, which pay more for broadcast ads.

Kansas Democratic U.S. Sente candidate Adam Hamilton, left, and Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom, right, both pictured August, 2026.

Politics

If You Don’t Like Polls, Follow the Money

by Bill Scher September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

Politics

The Next Frontier of Plutocracy

by Bill Scher April 17, 2025May 30, 2025

Support the Washington Monthly

Founded in 1969, the Washington Monthly is an independent media organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission: To preserve democracy and champion good governance through honest journalism and thoughtful commentary.

We’re not a subsidiary of a giant media company or a mouthpiece for ideologues. We’re independent, listened to by insiders and willing to take on sacred cows—liberal and conservative.

Yes, I'll Make a Donation

Joint fundraising committees

The Republican Plan to Buy the Election Got Too Expensive

If You Don’t Like Polls, Follow the Money

The Next Frontier of Plutocracy

Big, Ugly Changes to SNAP Are Hitting County Budgets

The AI Alignment That Can Save Us

Taming the AI Monster

AI Has an Anti-Woman Problem. Here’s How to Fix It

The Unheralded End of Mass Incarceration

Why Democrats Should Be Most Worried About Troy Jackson (And It’s Not the Consultants)

Never miss an article!