A recent analysis by Axios Denver shows that billionaires and wealthy individuals, primarily from outside Colorado, are significantly influencing the state’s 2024 election by contributing large sums of money. Key donors include Kent Thiry, who has given $2.8 million, and organizations like Unite America, which has contributed $4.4 million. These funds are primarily aimed at overhauling Colorado’s election system and supporting abortion rights.
A recent analysis conducted by Axios Denver reveals the substantial influence of billionaires and affluent donors, primarily from outside Colorado, in the state’s 2024 electoral processes. Approximately $70 million has been contributed to state-level races this year, with a notable 10% originating from merely ten individuals. The majority of these funds, about $5.9 million, have been directed towards a proposed overhaul of Colorado’s election system, which seeks to eliminate party primaries in favor of ranked-choice voting. Additionally, around $1.45 million is allocated to supporting a constitutional amendment aimed at safeguarding abortion access. Leading the list of individual donors is Kent Thiry, the former chief executive officer of DaVita, who has contributed $2.8 million as of September 25, predominantly in support of Proposition 131—the election reform initiative. Thiry’s influence extends further, as the organization Unite America, of which he is a co-chair, has emerged as the principal donor with a total of $4.4 million committed. Other significant contributors include Ben Walton, the grandson of Walmart’s founder, and Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix, each donating $1 million toward Proposition 131. Other notable donors include Michael Bloomberg, Kathryn Murdoch, and Lynn Schusterman, among others, who have also made significant contributions to the two ballot measures.
In recent electoral cycles, the increasing importance of substantial financial contributions from wealthy donors has raised concerns about the influence of money in politics, particularly at the state level. Colorado, recognizing such trends, has witnessed a surge in donations aimed at pivotal public policy decisions, such as electoral reforms and reproductive rights. This election cycle features substantial funding directed toward two primary initiatives—the overhaul of the election process and the protection of abortion rights—highlighting the strategic interests of high-net-worth individuals in shaping such policies. The data divulged in the Axios Denver analysis underscores a growing trend where a limited number of affluent individuals can exert significant influence over critical legislative and electoral outcomes.
The analysis presented by Axios Denver underscores a significant trend in Colorado’s political landscape, wherein a select group of billionaires and wealthy donors are exerting considerable influence over the 2024 elections. With substantial financial contributions directed towards key ballot measures—including the proposed election system overhaul and the amendment safeguarding abortion access—it is evident that the role of money in politics remains contentious. Questions regarding the implications of this financial power on democratic processes and voter autonomy will likely persist as these measures progress toward the ballot.
Original Source: www.axios.com
