Unions Spend Big on Politics—Often at the Expense of Their Members

Originally published by Broad + Liberty.

Pennsylvania’s judicial-retention election was the biggest in the commonwealth’s history. This seemingly innocuous off-year election drew at least $20 million—much of which came from outside the state—and garnered significant national attention, including statements by President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama.

But of all the biggest influences in this election, few were as prominent as labor unions.

Among the top spenders was Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness (PJF). This Super PAC reported the largest number of independent expenditures, raising about $5 million and spending $3.4 million on pro-retention electioneering as of the last report. PJF composed nearly one-third of total spending on election advertisements, according to the Brennan Center.

Read more at Broad + Liberty.