Sanders Calls for Total Ban on Dark Money in Democratic Primaries

Senator demands Democrats take stronger action against AIPAC and other outside spending groups

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:37am

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A photorealistic painting of a lone voting booth or ballot box in a dimly lit urban setting, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and creating deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of solemnity and the weight of the political process.The influence of dark money and outside spending groups continues to cast a long shadow over the democratic process.NYC Today

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is calling for a total ban on dark money in Democratic primaries, a day after the Democratic National Committee voted down a resolution that would have condemned the influence of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its dark money arm, the United Democracy Project. Sanders argues that billionaire-funded super PACs like AIPAC are spending hundreds of millions to defeat any candidate who crosses them, and they should be banned from Democratic primaries.

Why it matters

The influence of dark money and outside spending groups like AIPAC has become a major issue in Democratic politics, with concerns that it is distorting the democratic process and undermining the will of the party's base. Sanders' call for a total ban reflects growing frustration among progressives with the party establishment's reluctance to take stronger action against these groups.

The details

The DNC Resolutions Committee rejected a resolution that would have condemned the 'growing influence' of dark money and corporate-backed outside spending on Democratic races, specifically calling out AIPAC. Instead, the DNC panel opted for a broader resolution decrying the influence of dark money in the 2026 Democratic primaries. Sanders criticized this as not going far enough, arguing that billionaire-funded super PACs like AIPAC, AI, crypto, and others are spending hundreds of millions to defeat any candidate who crosses them, and they should be banned from Democratic primaries.

  • On April 10, 2026, the DNC Resolutions Committee voted down a resolution condemning AIPAC's dark money influence.
  • On April 11, 2026, Senator Bernie Sanders called for a total ban on dark money in Democratic primaries.

The players

Bernie Sanders

Independent U.S. Senator from Vermont who has been a vocal critic of the influence of dark money and corporate spending in elections.

Democratic National Committee (DNC)

The governing body of the Democratic Party that sets the party's platform and rules for primary elections.

American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

A pro-Israel lobbying group that has been accused of spending large sums of dark money to influence Democratic primaries, particularly against progressive candidates.

United Democracy Project

AIPAC's dark money arm that unleashed a $100 million blitz targeting progressives during the 2024 election cycle.

Preserve America PAC

A pro-Israel PAC funded by GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson that has also spent heavily on Democratic primaries.

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What they’re saying

“The DNC just passed a resolution condemning dark money. That's a start, but not enough. Billionaire-funded super PACs—AIPAC, AI, crypto, and others—are spending hundreds of millions to defeat any candidate who crosses them. They should be banned from Democratic primaries. Period.”

— Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator

“The American people are clear: They want our government to invest in life and stop funding the bombs that are destroying lives in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran. The DNC's failure to pass this simple resolution condemning the outsized spending of an extremist and Republican-funded group like AIPAC in Democratic primaries shows how wildly out of touch the party is with its base.”

— Beth Miller, Political Director, Jewish Voice for Peace

What’s next

The DNC will likely face continued pressure from progressive groups and Sanders to take stronger action against dark money and outside spending in Democratic primaries.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over the influence of money in politics, with progressives pushing for a total ban on dark money while the party establishment has been more reluctant to take such a strong stance. The debate over AIPAC's role in Democratic primaries is part of a larger battle over the future direction of the party.