AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Hoping to capitalize on voter frustration over growing polarization in politics, a group fueled partly by so-called “dark money” plans to spend $3 million this year to elect independents. But some free-spirited lawmakers are declining their help.
Unite America, formerly known as the Centrist Project, is endorsing and providing polling for independent gubernatorial and legislative candidates across the country.
It’s time state legislatures and governor’s mansions reflect the increasing proportion of U.S. citizens identifying as independents, said the group’s spokesman, Nick Troiano. Polls suggest about four in 10 U.S. adults identify as independent; in 2000, fewer than three in 10 did so.
“Independents are independents because they won’t want to be told what to do or what to think,” he said.
But some independents are reluctant to accept the support because they distrust influence by any outside, special interest group. They’re also leery of dark money — contributions from groups such as nonprofits that don’t have to disclose their donors under federal law.
The offer for help, nonetheless, can be enticing for independent lawmakers who face an uneven playing field for campaigning and, once elected, legislating.
Still, it’s tricky for independent lawmakers — who often aim to offer dissatisfied voters an alternative to the big-money, two-party system — to accept such help even from a group with similar aims.
“What ails American politics right now is dark money,” said University of Massachusetts Boston political science professor Maurice Cunningham. “You can’t cure that with dark money.”
Unite America has released endorsements of candidates including incumbent Alaska Gov. Bill Walker. It also offers funding for resources that parties typically provide, including staffers, helping finding donors, voter data, publicity, research, polling and help organizing campaign volunteers.
“We are not a party,” Troiano said. “We are a support…
