Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, on Monday said he would back challengers to members of Congress who vote for President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
Excuse my ignorance, but what does this mean?
He threatens to ‘primary’ members of Congress?
I’ve tried searching, and that wasn’t much help, employees of said member are to quickly start looking for another job.
Something happens at the end of term…
And a Time magazine article, which was beyond useless in explaining what it is.
Congress members in the US are elected in constituencies. For each constituency each party typically fields one candidate. Before the actual election, the parties hold primary elections to determine the candidate for the constituency for that particular party. Pretty much anyone can run in these primaries. Your chance of winning very much depends on the support, i.e. funding you have. If Elmo decides to fund candidates that would challenge the incumbents in the primaries, he could likely unseat quite a few of them on account of having a lot of money. And yes, this is all deeply undemocratic.
The ability to corrupt is inversely proportional to how active our citizens are in the political process.
Only like 10% of eligible voters vote in primary elections. That likely makes it far easier for money to buy enough name recognition via advertising to make a financially backed candidate a shoe in. But if you look at something like the NYC mayoral primary, a grassroots movement with support still beats moneyed interests.
That said, our country does a lot to discourage participation in our political process.
Excuse my ignorance, but what does this mean? He threatens to ‘primary’ members of Congress?
I’ve tried searching, and that wasn’t much help, employees of said member are to quickly start looking for another job. Something happens at the end of term… And a Time magazine article, which was beyond useless in explaining what it is.
I’m none the wiser… 🤷
Congress members in the US are elected in constituencies. For each constituency each party typically fields one candidate. Before the actual election, the parties hold primary elections to determine the candidate for the constituency for that particular party. Pretty much anyone can run in these primaries. Your chance of winning very much depends on the support, i.e. funding you have. If Elmo decides to fund candidates that would challenge the incumbents in the primaries, he could likely unseat quite a few of them on account of having a lot of money. And yes, this is all deeply undemocratic.
Thank you. Every time I think the US election system couldn’t be any more open to corruption, I’m proven wrong. Learning something new every day.
Wait until you hear about super-PACs.
The ability to corrupt is inversely proportional to how active our citizens are in the political process.
Only like 10% of eligible voters vote in primary elections. That likely makes it far easier for money to buy enough name recognition via advertising to make a financially backed candidate a shoe in. But if you look at something like the NYC mayoral primary, a grassroots movement with support still beats moneyed interests.
That said, our country does a lot to discourage participation in our political process.
Agreed, and it’s worth noting the Republican party has done the same thing to candidates who weren’t far enough to the right.