Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Sanders urges Democrats to ban super PACs in primaries
In America, people running for big jobs like president or senator need a lot of money for their campaigns.
Some very rich people and groups are allowed to give unlimited money to groups called super PACs, which help their favorite candidates.
Bernie Sanders is a senator who thinks this is unfair because rich groups have too much power.
He called this a 'corrupt system' and wants the Democratic Party to say no to super PACs in its primary elections.
Primaries are the elections where each party picks who will run for the big job.
Sanders gave an example of a group called AIPAC that spent more than $30 million to stop one candidate from winning in Michigan.
He also said the same group plans to give lots of money to help a Republican candidate in the general election.
Sanders wants regular people to have a bigger voice instead of billionaire-funded groups.
He also wants a new law so groups like super PACs cannot give so much money.
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday called on Democratic leaders to ban super PACs from Democratic primary elections, calling it a 'corrupt system.'
Sanders singled out AIPAC, saying it and affiliated groups spent more than $30 million in Michigan's Democratic primary to defeat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.
Sanders said AIPAC plans to spend tens of millions more to support Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.
Sanders wrote that corporate super PACs, including crypto, AI and online betting interests, have already spent a record $517 million this election cycle.
The letter was addressed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin.
- Who
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), addressing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DNC Chair Ken Martin
- What
- Called on Democratic leaders to ban super PACs from Democratic primary elections
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- United States (letter shared on X)
- Why
- Sanders argues the system is corrupt because special-interest super PACs spend millions in Democratic primaries and may then support Republican candidates in general elections
Ban super PACs from Democratic primaries
Super PACs support pro-Israel candidates from both parties
Super PACs in Democratic primaries
Ban super PACs from Democratic primaries
Sanders calls it 'insane' and 'corrupt' that Democrats allow super PACs like AIPAC to spend millions in their primaries and urges leaders to ban them now.
Super PACs support pro-Israel candidates from both parties
AIPAC says it is a grassroots membership organization with a PAC that supports pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates for Congress.
Special interests' intentions
Ban super PACs from Democratic primaries
Sanders says billionaire-funded special interests have 'no particular desire to see Democrats win' and support Republican candidates if their preferred Democrat loses the primary.
Super PACs support pro-Israel candidates from both parties
AIPAC presents itself as supporting pro-Israel candidates from both parties, not as opposing Democrats.
- Sanders' demand
- Ban super PACs from Democratic primaries now
- AIPAC spending in Michigan primary
- Over $30 million to defeat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
- Planned AIPAC general election spending
- Tens of millions to support Republican Mike Rogers
- Record corporate super PAC spending
- $517 million this 2026 midterm election cycle
- Prior record
- 2024 record, shattered this cycle
- Abolish Super PACs Act
- Introduced in May by Sanders and Rep. Summer Lee; would cap individual super PAC contributions at $5,000
- Letter addressed to
- Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Ken Martin
- AIPAC self-description
- A grassroots membership organization with a PAC supporting pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates