The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has announced its first major effort to address the growing concern over dark money in the 2028 presidential primary elections. The initiative, proposed by new DNC chair Ken Martin, aims to limit the influence of untraceable political donations that often sway election outcomes without public accountability. While the move is seen as a step toward greater transparency, Martin’s proposal has drawn both praise and skepticism within Democratic circles for its limited scope.
Martin’s proposal notably does not address the role of super PACs or direct-but-limited contributions from corporations, which are significant sources of dark money in U.S. elections. Advocates argue that these entities, while subject to certain restrictions, still wield considerable influence over political campaigns. Critics, however, point out that the exclusion of these groups from the reform measures may weaken the proposal’s ability to comprehensively curtail the flow of unregulated political funds. With the 2028 election cycle rapidly approaching, the effectiveness of the DNC’s new strategy remains a topic of intense debate.