Chaos Inside ActBlue: The Democratic Fundraising Giant

Title: Turmoil at ActBlue: High-Level Resignations Raise Concerns About Future of Democratic Fundraising Organization

ActBlue, the prominent online fundraising platform that supports Democratic candidates across various levels of government, is undergoing significant upheaval following the resignation of at least seven senior officials late last month. This internal crisis comes amidst a backdrop of scrutiny from congressional Republicans, who have initiated investigations that some Democratic leaders fear could undermine the essential operations of the organization.

The recent resignations have sparked widespread concern regarding the stability and future of ActBlue. On Friday, two unions representing ActBlue employees addressed a sharp letter to the organization’s board of directors, highlighting the alarming trend of departures, which they claimed is “eroding our confidence in the stability of the organization.” While the specific reasons behind the wave of resignations remain unclear, none of the departing officials have publicly commented.

Megan Hughes, a spokesperson for ActBlue, acknowledged the ongoing changes in a statement, emphasizing the organization’s focus on assembling a robust team as it transitions into a new election cycle. “We greatly appreciate the contributions of our incredible team members and remain deeply committed to the success of our organization and our mission to enable grassroots supporters to make their voices heard,” Hughes stated.

According to the unions’ letter—recently confirmed by multiple sources—the exodus of senior staff began on February 21. That day alone, both the customer service director and partnerships director, who had been with ActBlue for over a decade, announced their departures. Alyssa Twomey, the former vice president for customer service, posted on social media her intent to take a break after 14 years with the organization, indicating a desire for personal reflection and a “reset.”

In the following week, the situation continued to escalate as several other senior officials left, including the associate general counsel, the highest legal officer at ActBlue, along with an assistant research director, a human resources officer, the chief revenue officer, and an engineer who had dedicated 16 years to develop and maintain the technological infrastructure that facilitates donations.

Adding to the turmoil, Zain Ahmad, the last remaining lawyer in the ActBlue general counsel’s office, raised concerns in an internal Slack message on February 26. He reported that his access to essential email and internal communication platforms had been revoked, and several of his messages were deleted—actions he suggested were retaliatory. Ahmad is currently on leave from ActBlue, as confirmed by sources familiar with the situation.

The unions expressed alarm over Ahmad’s claims and characterized them as “unsettling and disturbing,” indicating a growing sense of toxicity stemming from current leadership. They have urged the board to engage an external consultant to investigate the organization’s state and assess the competency of CEO Regina Wallace-Jones.

Despite repeated attempts, Wallace-Jones could not be reached for comment on the situation, and ActBlue’s spokesperson refrained from addressing Ahmad’s allegations of retaliation or the concerns raised by staff unions.

The implications of ActBlue’s potential decline are significant for Democratic candidates at every level of government, who have relied on the platform for their fundraising efforts. As a vital resource for campaigns ranging from local school boards to presidential races, any substantial diminishment of ActBlue could pose serious challenges for Democratic fundraising initiatives, particularly as Republican efforts to compete have lagged behind.

Although alternatives to ActBlue exist, none offer the same scale or outreach capabilities, heightening the stakes for Democrats as the 2024 election cycle approaches. Historically, ActBlue has been credited with giving Democrats a competitive advantage by creating a universally trusted platform for donations. Since its inception in 2004, the organization has raised over $16 billion for Democratic candidates and causes.

In recent weeks, congressional Republicans have demanded information regarding ActBlue’s security measures and strategies to prevent illegal contributions from foreign donors. The unions’ letter cautioned that ActBlue is “under increasing scrutiny” and exposed to “bad-faith political attacks.” On February 6, ActBlue responded to Republican inquiries through a detailed letter outlining its security and fraud prevention protocols.

Many Democrats are concerned that the current scrutiny is part of a broader agenda by Republicans, who now control Congress and the White House, to dismantle critical elements of the Democratic infrastructure. Recently, Senator Ted Cruz, as chairman of the Commerce Committee, indicated intentions to target Bonterra—a company integral to Democratic technical infrastructure—reflecting a methodical approach to undermine resources beneficial to the Democratic party.

In the midst of this precarious environment, relations between ActBlue and significant Democratic campaigns have also been strained. In 2023, President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign reportedly underwent contentious negotiations regarding the platform’s fee structure before reaching an agreement. The unions highlighted particular concern over the loss of key legal and compliance expertise within the organization, expressing uncertainty regarding how to navigate their work in the absence of experienced leadership.

As ActBlue grapples with these challenges, the future direction of the organization remains to be seen. The situation underscores the vital role that effective leadership and stable infrastructure play in empowering Democratic initiatives and ensuring a competitive edge in upcoming electoral contests.