“Bundlers” refers to individuals or organizations that raise large sums of money from multiple donors to support a political campaign or cause.
These bundlers are typically well-connected and influential members of a political party or interest group, and they use their networks to solicit donations from other individuals and organizations.
Origin of “Bundlers”
Bundling has always existed in various forms, but has become more important with the enactment of limits on campaign contributions at the federal level and in most states during the 1970s.
Bundlers are an important part of the political fundraising process, particularly for presidential campaigns and other high-profile races where large sums of money are required to compete effectively.
By pooling together multiple donations, bundlers are able to significantly increase the amount of money that a campaign can raise, and they often play a critical role in helping candidates to achieve their fundraising goals.
Bundlers are typically recognized by campaigns for their fundraising efforts, and they may be given special access to political candidates or other perks in recognition of their contributions. They are often given honorary titles.
Some bundlers may also be rewarded with political appointments or other favors if the candidate they support is successful in the election.
However, bundling can also raise concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential for undue influence on elected officials.
Critics of bundling argue that it allows wealthy donors to circumvent campaign finance laws by channeling large sums of money through intermediaries, and that it can create a system of pay-to-play politics in which access to elected officials is contingent on the size of a donor’s contribution.
In response to these concerns, there have been efforts to increase transparency and disclosure around bundling in political fundraising.
For example, the Federal Election Commission requires campaigns to disclose the names of individuals who bundle contributions above a certain threshold, and some states have passed laws requiring even greater disclosure.
Despite these efforts, bundling remains an important part of the political fundraising landscape, particularly in the United States where there are few restrictions on campaign finance.
While bundlers can play a critical role in helping candidates to raise the funds they need to run effective campaigns, the potential for abuse and the perception of undue influence remains a concern for many voters and political observers.
Use of “Bundlers” in a sentence
- The presidential candidate relied heavily on bundlers to raise the funds needed to compete in the primary elections.
- The influence of bundlers on politics has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate in recent years.
- Some politicians have pledged to refuse donations from bundlers or to limit the amount of money they accept from these individuals in an effort to reduce the influence of money in politics.
Taegan Goddard is the creator of the Political Dictionary.
He is also the founder of many popular political websites, including Political Wire, Political Job Hunt and the Electoral Vote Map.
Goddard spent more than a decade on Wall Street as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he also served as a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.
Goddard is also co-author of You Won – Now What?: How Americans Can Make Democracy Work from City Hall to the White House, a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties.
His essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers and magazines across the country.
Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University.
He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.