Sanders calls for super PAC ban in Democratic primaries

At a Progressive Democrats of America gathering in Chicago, Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed his strong opposition to super PACs in Democratic primaries. He made this call on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the detrimental effects of super PAC spending on the electoral process. Sanders pointed to the recent primary losses of progressive candidates, Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, which he attributed to substantial financial backing from pro-Israel super PACs, particularly those associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Sanders argued that while many Democrats advocate for ending the Citizens United decision and moving towards public funding of elections, immediate action could be taken by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to disallow super PACs in their primaries. He noted that political parties have the authority to set the rules for their primary elections, suggesting that the DNC could disqualify super PAC spending. The senator acknowledged the significant influence of money in politics, particularly within the Democratic Party, and stressed the importance of addressing this issue. He pointed out that while current campaign finance laws grant free-speech rights to wealthy individuals and corporations, the party could choose to limit such spending in its own elections. Sanders' remarks came during a tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson, where he also discussed broader economic justice issues and praised President Biden's progressive initiatives, despite the challenges faced in implementing them. His call for a super PAC ban reflects a growing sentiment among progressive Democrats to reclaim electoral integrity from the influence of big money.