Behind the Candidates: Campaign Committees and Outside Groups

The modern presidential campaign isn't a single organization. Once a candidate declares he or she is running, there's always an official campaign committee. In addition, leadership PACs let presidential hopefuls make donations to potential political allies. The big money is in super PACs and other outside groups devoted to boosting a single candidate, which can solicit unlimited donations and later use the funds to pummel rivals – and, as seems to be happening this cycle, take on some of the duties traditionally handled by a campaign. In addition, super PACs have been formed for the sole purpose of bashing a single candidate. Outside groups aren't allowed to coordinate with campaigns, but they're often run by friends and former staffers – even family members – of the candidate they're helping. Here, we've collected all the known groups dedicated to promoting or attacking current 2016 presidential candidates – 55 and counting.

Last updated: Apr 25 2019 2:21PM

View: Current candidates only All candidates

NOTE: All the numbers on this page are for the 2016 election cycle and based on Federal Election Commission data released electronically on Apr 25 2019 2:21PM.

Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: info[at]crp.org