The Party Outside the Party
Understanding the Democratic PACs working around rather than in the Democratic Party
A dive into the infrastructure, people, and organizations that shape what the Democratic Party is and does —most of which exist outside official party structures.
If you read my recent post “Understanding the Democratic Party,” you'll know that it's not a single institution—it's an ecosystem. However, that ecosystem goes beyond formal structures like the DNC, DSCC, and state parties. Much of the infrastructure that elects Democrats and shapes what the Party stands for lives outside those official bodies.
That's what this post is about: Democrats Working Outside the Party.
How We Got Here: From McCain-Feingold to Citizens United
I went to work for the DNC in 2003, right after McCain-Feingold passed. That same year, I launched Democratic GAIN with the support of the DNC and other Democratic Party committees. At the time, there was real anxiety inside and out about the Party’s ability to raise money. Many leaders were worried we'd have to downsize without soft money. (Spoiler: we didn't.)
But the concerns were deeper than just finances. In the 2002 midterm elections, the GOP made historic gains—something almost unheard of for the president's Party. Republicans flipped Senate control by gaining two seats and picked up eight in the House. It was the first time since FDR in 1934 that a sitting president's Party gained seats in both chambers during a midterm. Post-9/11 unity played a role, but the shockwaves were felt deeply inside Democratic circles.
That moment was a wake-up call—and a catalyst for much of what came next.
Congress had just passed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act—better known as McCain-Feingold. It aimed to eliminate "soft money" contributions to national parties and regulate corporate and union-funded political ads near elections. This lasted a few cycles, but then came Citizens United v. FEC in 2010. The Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions could spend unlimited money on independent expenditures if they didn't coordinate directly with campaigns. That decision gutted key parts of McCain-Feingold and paved the way for Super PACs and a flood of outside spending.
The result? A sprawling web of political entities that function like extensions of the Democratic Party—but operate entirely outside its official structure.
Who Are These Groups?
They vary in mission, tone, and tactic. Some exist to elect a particular kind of Democrat. Others support the Party's official nominees. Some challenge incumbents. Some focus on identity. Others on ideology, geography, or generation. Here's how I break some of them down.
1. Party-Aligned Powerhouses
These groups are unofficial, but often align closely with party leadership or focused on specific levels of office.
2. Ideological and Movement-Building Orgs
These aren't just trying to win—they're trying to change what it means to be a Democrat.
3. Identity and Pipeline Builders
Focused on electing under-represented groups.
4. Groups focused on specific groups of voters or issues
Black PAC
Women Vote (Affiliated with EMILY’s List)
NextGen
5. Tactical and Strategic Support Groups
Focused on strategy, infrastructure, talent and turnout.
Zinc, Arena, and of course, our work at GAIN Power (though we’re not a PAC)
6. Leadership & Member PACs
Virtually every member has one now, beyond their campaign committees.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds more PACs/Committees set up to elect Democrats and engage in progressive advocacy. All of them are active now and engaged in fight-back work.
A Note on the Other Side
It's worth noting that Republicans have a similar outside-party ecosystem—and in many ways, it's even bigger. The conservative movement has long invested in party-adjacent institutions: think tanks, legal networks, right-wing media, super PACs, and dark money groups with enormous influence but without the Democratic Party's big-tent messiness. Their infrastructure is often more centralized and ideologically disciplined, and they have played the long game incredibly well.
The Governance and Representation Challenge
None of this touches on how elected leaders govern—or who speaks for "the party". That's a different conversation about power, accountability, and representation inside our institutions. The lines between campaign messaging, policy delivery, and leadership are blurry at best.
Why This Matters for Your Career (And Our Movement)
One of the biggest reasons I'm writing about this ecosystem is for people who want to help Democrats win and do this work professionally. It is essential to understand that there are many places to lend your skills.
Folks move between campaigns, party committees, independent expenditures, labor, consulting firms, advocacy orgs, media, or digital platforms. Legal firewalls and functional silos exist, but people cross them all the time. That movement profoundly shapes strategy, ideology, relationships, and culture.
If you're working on your first campaign—or even just thinking about getting involved—know this: the Democratic ecosystem holds many professional opportunities. Campaigns are just the beginning. From organizing and communications to data, fundraising, policy, or advocacy, there's a meaningful career path here.
And if you were recently RIFed, "DOGEed," or pushed out in this volatile political moment—there's still a place for you. The work hasn't stopped. Whether you want to help elect Democrats, fight for core values, or build long-term infrastructure, there are many places to play a role.
Shedding Light on the Opacity Problem
I'm writing this to bring some sunlight to what can feel like an opaque part of democracy. For people inside the game, the landscape is familiar—if chaotic. But it's tough for most voters, new activists, or campaign staffers to see who's doing what and how the pieces fit together. That opacity doesn't serve us.
I'm also writing this because to influence or change the Party, you need to understand what it is—and isn't. Too many critiques or reform efforts fall flat because they misidentify the source of power or assume a level of control that just doesn't exist. A better strategy starts with understanding.
The Wild West Reality
I live deeply inside these worlds, and even for me, it's tough to keep track of all "the groups." I can't even imagine what it's like for the typical activist trying to make sense of who's doing what, who's aligned with whom, or where to plug in.
New ones form each cycle; others fade out, some rebrand or shift focus.
Some are important and reflect critical communities, while others are straight-up scam PACs set up by consultants to make money rather than win elections. Sadly, it is often hard to tell the difference. (I will write more about this topic.)
There is no master list, org chart, or single strategy. That's part of what makes it powerful and also part of what makes it overwhelming.
Understanding this outside infrastructure is essential because much of the power, funding, innovation, and accountability don't live inside the DNC. It lives out here, in this messy, decentralized, vital ecosystem.
These groups aren't the Party. But they are the Party. Or at least, they're part of the coalition we call the Democratic Party.
What's Next: Issue-Based Organizations
Next, I'll explore issue-based organizations that aim to advance policy goals, not necessarily candidates'. These organizations support candidates because they align with their policies and issues. Many of them support Democrats because of shared values. But they aren't electoral first. That's another piece of the puzzle—and it deserves its post.
This is part of my ongoing series on progressive infrastructure. If you're interested in understanding how our movement works—and how we can make it work better—subscribe for updates.
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This is part of my ongoing series on progressive infrastructure and our democracy ecosystem. If you're interested in understanding how our movement works—and how we can make it work better—subscribe for updates.
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