Unchecked financial contributions influencing Alabama Attorney General election
The Alabama attorney general's race is breaking records, with the campaigns racking up impressive funds. Katherine Robertson's campaign fund, the second highest in the race, is particularly noteworthy.
Leonard Leo, a key conservative legal operative, has been instrumental in reshaping federal courts with controversial conservative judges. His influence extends beyond the federal level, reaching into state-level political battles, such as the Alabama AG race.
First Principles Action Inc., a Nashville-based nonprofit, donated $1 million to Katherine Robertson’s campaign in late June. This group, founded by Peter Bisbee, a longtime operative in Leo's circle and former RAGA executive director, is notably obscure, with no public tax filings, donor lists, or board details. This funding and support operation aligns with Leo’s broader strategy to install conservative loyalists in key state positions such as attorney general.
The donations from First Principles to Robertson's campaign are legal under Alabama law, which allows for dark money nonprofits to contribute freely to campaigns in the state. However, the lack of transparency surrounding First Principles Action Inc. has raised eyebrows among Alabama lawmakers, who have attempted to rewrite these laws and cut off mysterious funding, but to no avail.
Leo's ambitions appear to be expanding from reshaping the federal judiciary into influencing state-level political battles. The source of First Principles' funding is a mystery, but it's likely that some of it flows through nonprofits and organizations controlled by billionaire Leonard Leo.
Katherine Robertson's campaign ended the month of July with more than $1.1 million in funds, not including the additional $100,000 donation received on Monday evening. Meanwhile, former state Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell's campaign received more than $400,000 in contributions for the month of July, ending the month with $1.6 million.
As the race heats up, the influence of dark money organizations and powerful conservative figures like Leonard Leo continues to shape the landscape of the Alabama attorney general's race.
[1] Source: Investigative Report by Josh Moon, August 2023 [2] Source: Alabama Political Reporter, August 2023
- The influence of Leonard Leo, a key conservative legal operative, extends beyond federal courts, as he also impacts state-level political battles, such as the Alabama attorney general's race, through donations from organizations like First Principles Action Inc.
- The donations received by Katherine Robertson's campaign, including $1 million from First Principles Action Inc., have contributed significantly to her campaign fund, making her one of the highest fundraisers in the Alabama attorney general's race.
- The involvement of dark money organizations and powerful figures in policy-and-legislation, such as Leonard Leo, has sparked general news discussions and raised concerns among lawmakers in the state of Alabama, prompting attempts to rewrite laws and ensure transparency in campaign funding.
