7 October 2024
As we approach the 2024 general election, this page will track political spending in Minnesota. The data shown are updated following regular reporting deadlines established by the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board for state-level candidates and political committees. Federal campaign funds tracked by the Federal Election Commission are not included here. Candidates who have not filed state campaign finance reports and those who have dropped out are also not listed. In the charts below, total amount raised is for the entire election cycle to date, including cash carried over from the previous year. Cash on hand is the total as of the last day of the current reporting cycle.
This page is updated with Minnesota state campaign finance activity through Sept. 17, 2024.
Sections
The charts below show the top-spending political committees, funds, and other organizations reporting to the MN CFB.
Political Committees and Funds
These organizations contribute, either entirely or in part, directly to campaigns. Because of this, they are not free to accept corporate contributions. Money given to candidates is capped by state limits. However, these groups can give unlimited amounts to other organizations. They can also make independent expenditures to help or hurt candidates running for political office. A political fund is an off-shoot of another organization such as a union or a business trade association, while a political committee exists only to engage in political spending.
Independent Expenditure Groups
These organizations do not give money directly to candidates or parties, instead funding electioneering efforts that help or hurt candidates such as TV or digital ads. They can accept corporate contributions and are subject to no fundraising or spending caps. The difference between an independent expenditure committee and fund is that “committees” exist solely to engage in campaigns, while “funds” are the political arms of other organizations like unions or trade associations.
State Party Units
State and local party organizations and the four legislative caucuses in Minnesota may not accept corporate money but are not subject to fundraising limits. Their contributions to candidates are limited, but they can make unlimited independent expenditures to other party units and political committees.
Party Caucuses
Top Spending: Minnesota State Legislature Races
There are multiple Minnesota Senate and House seats in contention this year. As such, millions of dollars have been spent in support of and against the campaigns of state legislative candidates since the beginning of the year. Here are the races subject to the most overall spending:
Minnesota Political Funding Networks
Political spending can be more than the sum of dollars raised and dollars spent. Funds and resources can easily change hands between cooperating parties. A MinnPost analysis published in October traced out funding networks in Minnesota politics:
This graphic shows the movement of funding for state political campaigns so far in 2024. Campaigns and committees are required to regularly report to the MN Campaign Finance Board (CFB). This network shows payments between organizations and individuals we found from CFB data. Arrows represent cumulative payments between people and organizations in 2024 exceeding $100k. The visualization is designed for a larger screen; you’ll have a better experience viewing this article on a laptop or desktop than on a phone or other mobile device.
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