21st Century Democrats was an American political organization founded by Senator Tom Harkin, commentator Jim Hightower and Congressman Lane Evans to help elect "progressive candidates” until its termination 2023.[1]
| Formation | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 2023 |
| Type | Political action committee |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Key people | Tom Harkin, Jim Hightower, Lane Evans, founders |
Background
edit21st Century Democrats started out relatively small, surpassing $1M in contributions for the first time in the 1996 election cycle.[2] By the 2004 election cycle, according to the Political Money Line, it was the 13th largest Political Action Committee (PAC) in the United States raising nearly $7 Million. Among progressive ideological PACs, it ranked fourth behind America Coming Together, EMILY's List, and MoveOn.org. However, since 2004 its contributions have gradually fallen, to under $2.2M in 2010 and under $1.2M in 2014.[3]
Unlike traditional PACs, 21st Century Democrats focuses on recruiting, training, and hiring field organizers to organize grassroots campaigns on behalf of candidates for local offices, statewide office, and even targeted presidential swing states.[4] The group has ties to Democracy for America, which grew out of Howard Dean's presidential campaign.[5]
Partner organizations
editIn 2009, 21st Century Democrats joined Service Employees International Union, MoveOn.org, and Daily Kos in a new effort called Accountability Now PAC. This new Political Action Committee promised to use party primaries to challenge Democratic incumbents that PAC members do not support.[6]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Beckman, Michael (May 19, 2023). "TERMINATION REPORT". Washington, DC. Federal Elections Commission. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Attlesey, Sam; Stahl, Lori (January 23, 1996). "New Group Seeks to Re-Focus Democratic Message". Dallas Morning News.
- ^ "21st Century Democrats Summary - OpenSecrets". www.opensecrets.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ Garofoli, Joe (September 22, 2004). "Attention overwhelms tiny slice of swing state". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
- ^ "About us". Democracy for America. 2008. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
- ^ Robert Schlesinger (February 27, 2009). "Progressive Accountability Now PAC Will Target Wayward Democrats in Primaries". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original (Article) on March 2, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.