Key Findings/Messages
Between 2010 and 2023, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) received more than $340 million in donations. Approximately 55% of those donations came from public corporations and their trade associations. The RSLC has used that money to openly attempt to stack elections and undermine democracy across the country. For example, the RSLC’s Redistricting Majority Project (REDMAP) initiative has focused resources on gaining control of critical state legislature seats in an effort to control the redistricting process and create conservatively gerrymandered districts. Nevertheless, many major RSLC donors like Citigroup, AT&T, Chevron, Eli Lilly, Altria, and Comcast have made public statements supporting democracy, even as they fund these undemocratic efforts.
Key Recommendations Made
Corporations should manage the risks of political spending by strengthening and updating corporate political spending policies. Furthermore, corporations should recognize they are accountable for their political spending, and they should communicate openly and honestly about their political activities. The authors recommend that corporations adopt the CPA-Zicklin Model Code which provides an ethical framework for engaging in political spending.