election spending

June 11, 2014 - Rep. Eric Cantor's startling upset in Virginia's Republican primary may have been one of the few cases where Big Money suffered a defeat. But at the same time, it may also have been a message from voters signaling their frustration about the Big Money establishment's enduring power.

February 14, 2014 - Art Pope helped rewrite the rules about Big Money's influence in North Carolina's court elections. Now he's taking advantage of the money-drenched system he helped create.

January 15, 2014 - Nearly half of the TV ads in a national $20 million ad blitz launched by Americans for Prosperity have been directed at Sen. Kay Hagan, solidifying North Carolina's status as a key battleground.

May 17, 2013 - The recent IRS scandal has brought new attention to the role of so-called "social welfare" nonprofits in politics. What nonprofit groups are trying to influence elections in North Carolina?

January 25, 2013 - Super PACs and outside spending groups spent millions on state-level races in North Carolina. Who are these groups? Where did there money come from, and where did it go?

November 21, 2012 - Conservative donor Art Pope's money helped the GOP take control of North Carolina's legislature in 2010. In 2012, Pope's family, business and groups helped fuel even bigger Republican gains in the battleground state.

November 14, 2012 - Outside groups unleashed more than $14 million into North Carolina state races, helping fuel Republican victories across the state.