Secretive Super PACs Are Swaying Democratic Races

Punchbowl News reports on a twisty subplot to this year's House races: Little-known super PACs are popping up in key Democratic primaries and pouring millions into boosting candidates many party strategists see as easier marks for Republicans in November. Three such groups have shelled out about $4.3 million across five states, but who's bankrolling them—and why—is largely hidden behind shell companies, mailbox storefronts, and consulting firms. Reporter Ally Mutnick calls it "next-level obfuscation."

The most active outfit, Lead Left PAC, has spent $3.1 million in three contests, including nearly $1 million on Texas Democrat Maureen Galindo, a self-described sex therapist who has posted inflammatory comments about Jews and Zionists online. Democrats say GOP operatives are trying to tilt primaries toward weaker nominees, but there's no firm proof; Lead Left's only visible hint of a Republican link is website code that once pointed to WinRed, the GOP fundraising platform. Two other groups, Real Change PAC and California Blue PAC, are operating with similarly opaque structures. Read the full story.