Unions and PACs Flood Delaware Governor's Race with Millions

The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association PAC has pledged million to help Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long's bid for Delaware governor, signaling a shift in the fundraising landscape for the race. This influx of outside money comes as Hall-Long's two Democratic opponents hold significantly more campaign funds, raising questions about the influence of special interests in the election.

Shaping the Narrative: Unions and PACs Vie for Control

The DLGA PAC's Million-Dollar Pledge

The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association PAC (DLGA PAC) has committed million to support Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long's gubernatorial campaign in Delaware. This significant investment from the political action committee, which is affiliated with the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, could help level the playing field for Hall-Long, who has trailed her opponents in fundraising.

Counterbalancing Efforts: Citizens for a New Delaware Way

The influx of outside money supporting Hall-Long's campaign has not gone unchallenged. A PAC called Citizens for a New Delaware Way has pledged to spend million in an effort to oppose her candidacy. This group is associated with executives from the New York-based translation company, TransPerfect, which has had a contentious history with Delaware institutions.

Union Influence: Growing Economic Opportunities and the DE Building and Trades PAC

The source of the DLGA PAC's funding is also noteworthy. Records show that a significant portion of the money came from a PAC called Growing Economic Opportunities, which is affiliated with the Laborers' International Union of North America. This union-backed group contributed 0,000 to People for a Healthy Delaware, a PAC that then funneled 5,000 to the DLGA PAC.Furthermore, the DE Building and Trades PAC, which is affiliated with the Delaware AFL-CIO and its president, James Maravelias, has also entered the fray. Weeks after Growing Economic Opportunities' contribution to People for a Healthy Delaware, the DE Building and Trades PAC received a ,000 donation from the same union-backed group.

Candidate Connections and Coordination Concerns

The involvement of these outside groups raises questions about the level of coordination between the candidates and the PACs. While campaign finance laws prohibit direct coordination, the connections between the candidates and the PACs are noteworthy. For instance, Hall-Long's former campaign staffer, Roshan Patel, previously served as the treasurer for the DLGA PAC.Additionally, the People for a Healthy Delaware PAC, which served as a conduit for the union-backed funds, has long-standing ties to Hall-Long. Its current treasurer, Michael Finnegan, acknowledged that the group has raised money for the lieutenant governor in the past.

The Fundraising Landscape: Disparities and Implications

The influx of outside money comes as Hall-Long's two Democratic opponents, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and Collin O'Mara, hold significantly more campaign funds. Meyer's war chest of .7 million at the start of the year dwarfed his competitors, raising concerns about the influence of money in the race.The involvement of these PACs and unions highlights the complex and often opaque nature of campaign finance in modern elections. As the race for Delaware's governorship heats up, the battle for control of the narrative and the flow of money will undoubtedly continue to shape the outcome.