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When legacy news organizations had resources, they diligently explored who was making campaign donations in a mission to influence elections.

As resources, and organizations themselves, have disappeared, so has the diligence.

Kudos to Colleen O'Dea, senior writer and projects editor at NJ Spotlight News. The veteran reporter continues to follow the money.

Consider her exploration of one political action committee that was active in the recent primaries:

"The total spent by that group, Real Change PAC, is $661,000, according to the Federal Election Commission. That is the largest reported independent expenditure by a single organization to oppose a candidate in the New Jersey congressional primaries.

Little is known about the PAC, though it is believed to have ties to Republicans."

Read O'Dea's coverage and check out her table of PAC spending here on NJ Spotlight News.

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