DNC pushes to bar anonymous corporate money from 2028 presidential primary
DNC Chair Ken Martin says the party is close to adopting rules that would ban dark money and unlimited corporate spending in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.
In August 2025 the Democratic National Committee passed a resolution to remove unlimited corporate and dark-money influence from the 2028 presidential primary, directing the party to devise enforceable steps. A 15-member task force, co-chaired by Senator James Skoufis and Kansas Democratic Party chair Jeanna Repass, produced recommendations that would require candidates to sign a version of the “People’s Pledge” and face penalties for accepting independent expenditures.
The recommendations have not been tabled at the DNC’s August 2026 summer meeting, and party officials say further internal panels are still reviewing them. Progressive figures including Representative Greg Casar, Senators Bernie Sanders, Tina Smith and Chris Van Hollen, and leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have pressed the DNC to publish and enforce the rules before any candidate declares. The effort comes amid record dark-money spending in recent election cycles, with super PACs pouring billions into federal races and state parties adopting similar pledges in Arizona, North Carolina, New Mexico and Massachusetts.
Why it matters
Limiting dark money could reshape how Democratic presidential candidates are funded and chosen.
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