Dark money tops $300 million in 2012 — the first full election cycle under Citizens United

The 2012 presidential election became the first major test of Citizens United, with dark money from nonprofits that do not disclose donors exceeding $300 million — up from $69 million in 2008, according to OpenSecrets. Karl Rove Crossroads GPS and the Koch-network-aligned Americans for Prosperity each spent tens of millions through 501(c)(4) structures. The overall outside spending total reached nearly $1 billion, as Super PACs and dark money groups flooded Senate, House, and presidential races with unprecedented sums.