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It has been reported that the world's richest man Elon Musk has poured more than $275 million into the Republican midterm election campaigns.
Democrats are crying foul while Republicans will point out that George Soros and his family have donated more than $100 million in support of Democratic and progressive causes in the 2026 midterm election cycle. $275 million from Musk! $100 million from Soros! Should any individuals have this much monetary influence in our state and national elections?
I encourage readers to use their cell phones and computers for more than just gossiping on Facebook and scrolling on TikTok. Take a look for yourselves at the astronomical money in politics today. A simple web search will yield a long list of the biggest donors to both parties in 2026. Donation figures can be found reaching back to the 2024 election cycle and beyond. While the total count of individual donors across the entire country has yet to be finalized by the Federal Election Committee, it is reported that roughly 80% of all election donation receipts in 2026 come from individuals contributing $100k or more. This in a country where the reported median income according to the U.S. Census Bureau is $87k. I wonder how many people reading this column could afford to donate $100k to a political party. I wonder how many people reading this column make $100k a year. For anyone, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Conservative or Liberal the money in politics today should be stomach turning.
I receive emails from the RNC and the DNC as well as from individual candidates, both Democrat and Republican, asking me for campaign donations as little as five dollars. They ask because my vote counts and even my meager donation to their party or to their cause can make a difference. It's kind of hard to feel like my vote in any statewide or national election will make a difference. A five dollar donation to a campaign would be .005% of the $100K that 80% of all donors put in. Not even a penny in comparison. I always vote on election day but I surely am not donating any money to any party or candidate. Both the Democrat and Republican parties are parties of the rich.
I have never cared for Donald Trump as a businessman, reality television personality, politician or president. I do understand the appeal Trump held for so many as he descended his golden escalator a decade ago. As a political outsider Trump promised to drain the swamp. He called out and insulted the deep pocketed Republican candidates who ran against him in the primaries. Trump stated that as a successful billionaire he could fund his own campaign and that he would not be beholden to business interests. Trump promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a better and more affordable health insurance program that would cover the entire country. He promised to lower prices and end forever wars. Trump vowed to settle the woke culture wars that the Democrats staunchly supported and that put off voters. While Trump has failed to live up to his promises, there is more money in politics than ever before. And Trump has enriched himself more than any other president in history. So much for draining the swamp.
When I was a senior in high school, students turning 18 were encouraged to register to vote. I chose to be an Independent at the time. As an idealistic teen, I did not want to pledge allegiance to one party. As a teacher years later, I was encouraged to change my affiliation to Democrat so that I could vote in primaries and because the Democratic party was more aligned with my values as a teacher. I held my nose and changed my affiliation. I have been a Democrat ever since. With apologies to Lesley Gore, "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To". There's too much money in "my party" to keep eyes dry. As for Republicans, you should cry too cause it's happening to you. Time to get the money out of politics.
Andrew Ludwig is a retired math teacher and a retired public school and Catholic school administrator. He currently works as a substitute teacher in Chautauqua County.