Key Takeaways:
- A political action committee (PAC) ran ads criticizing Leavenworth’s mayor for her “liberal agenda.”
- The ads accused Mayor Holly Pittman of wasting taxpayer money and losing jobs.
- The ads didn’t mention a controversial private prison reopening, but it’s a key local issue.
- Pittman called the ads misleading and emphasized that decisions are made by the city commission, not just her.
- Experts warn that dark money from PACs can heavily influence local elections.
PAC Ads Spark Controversy in Leavenworth
In May, a political action committee called Defend US PAC ran three ads on Facebook and Instagram targeting Leavenworth Mayor Holly Pittman. The ads accused her of pushing a “liberal agenda” that hurts the town’s progress. They claimed she was wasting taxpayer money and costing local jobs. The ads also urged people to call Pittman directly.
While the ads didn’t specifically mention a controversial issue involving CoreCivic—a private prison company planning to reopen a facility as an ICE detention center—that dispute has been a major topic in Leavenworth. The city is in court trying to force CoreCivic to follow proper procedures before reopening the prison, which closed in 2021.
Holly Pittman, the mayor, expressed disappointment over the ads. She said they misrepresent how decisions are made in Leavenworth, pointing out that she’s just one of five city commissioners. “Decisions are made collectively,” she said, adding that the ads ignore the town’s collaborative approach to problem-solving.
Dark Money and Its Impact on Local Elections
Marina Pino, an expert at the Brennan Center for Justice, says dark money—funds from unknown donors—is becoming a big problem in politics. “When you have hidden funders of advertising,” she explained, “they often have economic interests in the outcomes.”
Local elections, like those in Leavenworth, are especially vulnerable to this kind of influence. Pino noted that local races often don’t get much attention, so even a small amount of advertising can sway voters.
For example, one of the Defend US PAC ads cost between $600 and $699 to run. The PAC spent nearly $3,000 on ads targeting Pittman. While that might seem like a small amount, Pino said it’s a significant investment for local elections. She added, “For local candidates, this kind of spending can be a major hurdle.”
How Dark Money Works
Dark money refers to political spending where the donors aren’t disclosed. This makes it hard to track who’s funding campaigns or ads. Pino explained that dark money groups often spend large amounts, but these sums are hard to trace.
In 2024, dark money spending hit a record high, with nearly $1.9 billion spent on federal elections alone. Pino warned that this trend is likely affecting local elections too, even though tracking it is difficult.
Defend US PAC, for example, reported raising $1.6 million from January 2023 to December 2024. Most of this came from conservative PACs, though some contributions were from individuals.
Why This Matters
The debate in Leavenworth highlights how local issues can become battlegrounds for larger political and economic interests. The fight over the CoreCivic prison reopening, for instance, could impact jobs and the local economy. Meanwhile, the involvement of PACs like Defend US PAC shows how outside groups can influence local decisions.
Pittman’s response to the ads also underscores the importance of understanding how local governments work. She wants residents to know that decisions are made by a team, not just one person.
As Pino pointed out, dark money can tilt the balance in local elections. With less attention on these races, even small ad campaigns can have big effects.
What’s Next?
The controversy in Leavenworth is just one example of how dark money is shaping politics across the country. As the 2024 elections showed, this issue isn’t going away anytime soon.
For now, Pittman and other local leaders are focused on making decisions that benefit the community. But the influence of outside money remains a concern.