Study Group with John Anzalone: How Independent Expenditures Dominate Campaign Spending After Citizens United

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Independent Expenditure campaigns and their billions have dominated spending in presidential, Senate, and congressional campaigns in the last decade—and yet it is rarely discussed. Our guest this week, Bradley Beychok, head of a major Harris IE, American Bridge, will discuss how Independent Expenditures work and impact races. We will dissect their 2020 campaign to beat Trump and the goals of their 2024 campaign to help Kamala Harris win.

GUEST: Bradley Beychok, Founder of American Bridge, the largest Democratic SuperPac, will join Resident Fellow, John Anzalone, in-person for the October 15 session.

Bradley Beychok is a veteran political strategist and public affairs expert with an impressive career spanning over 20 years. His track record is marked by a series of triumphs in running political campaigns, managing non-profit organizations, and directing issue advocacy programs.

Beychok is now a partner at ABI Associates, a boutique advocacy and advisory firm renowned for delivering comprehensive public affairs and strategic communications services to a diverse clientele spanning various sectors and industries. His expertise and leadership have made him a sought-after figure in the world of political strategy and advocacy.

Beychok is also Co-Founder of American Bridge 21st Century, the nation’s largest Democratic SuperPAC, with a team of over 80 people focused on research, rapid response, and paid media.

In 2020, Beychok directed American Bridge's highly effective Presidential paid media campaign program. With an investment exceeding $75 million in critical battleground states, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, Beychok played a pivotal role in securing the election of President Joe Biden. The effort was jointly led by American Bridge Co-Chairs, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

Beychok has led winning campaigns for both the US Senate and House. A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Bradley began his political career working for the famed political operative James Carville who remains an advisor to ABI Associates.

Beychok has provided strategic guidance to a multitude of elected officials, political candidates and organizations and has been regarded as one of the nation’s top political influencers by the trade magazine Campaigns and Elections and a 40 under 40 award winner from the American Association of Political Consultants.

AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address.

OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.