Introduction
The political landscape in the Democratic Party is experiencing a significant transformation, led by venture capitalist Seth London and a cadre of influential consultants. Their strategies, marked by an extensive dark money network, aim to reshape the party and support centrist candidates in upcoming elections. This article delves into the emerging influence of London and the organizations backing his ambitious plans.
Venture capitalist and Abundance advocate Seth London’s ambitious dark money initiative, backed by powerful consultants like Lis Smith, exemplifies a prominent trend in supporting centrist candidates. However, London is not alone in this endeavor.
Luke Goldstein and Katya Schwenk provide an in-depth analysis in a piece published on both Jacobin and The Lever.
A Mix of Majority Democrats, the Bench, and Various Campaigns
To set the stage, let’s start with a powerful image that speaks volumes:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) May 4, 2026
Goldstein and Schwenk outline the extensive network championed by London:
…a new dark-money-backed enterprise of unprecedented scale and sophistication. This influence network presents itself as a means to enhance Democrats’ electoral prospects ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, yet its true intentions stretch further.
Emerging from the aftermath of the party’s 2024 defeat, this operation draws inspiration from the Democrats’ neoliberal pivot following setbacks in the 1980s and 1990s, infused with the deregulation zeal of the abundance movement. Supported by Silicon Valley billionaires with vested interests, the network is adeptly maneuvering through the nation’s often flimsy campaign finance laws to elect a new wave of leaders aligned with a return to the “moderate” center.
The initiative operates through two prominent organizations, Majority Democrats and the Bench, both associated with a single venture capitalist who has now assumed the role of a discreet Democratic adviser. Under this framework, the network channels millions through a labyrinthine arrangement of political action committees (PACs), nonprofits, consultancies, and LLCs, often sharing the same affluent donors, political strategists, and policy agendas.
Recent filings reviewed by The Lever reveal that Majority Democrats and the Bench have collectively raised $8 million this year, primarily from high-profile tycoons like hedge fund manager Stephen Mandel and Nvidia board member Tench Coxe, as reported by CBS News. Other notable contributors include venture capitalist Bill Helman, Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, and cryptocurrency CEO Michael Novogratz.
This financial support builds on initial backing from figures like LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman, who invested millions to support Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris while encouraging her to adopt a lenient stance on antitrust and Big Tech.
The brainchild of this operation, Majority Democrats and the Bench, is Seth London— a venture capitalist and adviser to major Democratic benefactors.
As ambitious as London’s project may seem, it is merely one among many.
Multiple Players in the Game
To suggest that only one figure is masterminding the dark money maneuvers on the Democratic side would be myopic. A September 2025 article by Adam Johnson provides a broader context:
This year, various centrist initiatives have emerged from the political underground in Washington, D.C. For this discussion, we’ll spotlight three notable efforts that launched in 2025: the Abundance Movement, Majority Democrats PAC, and the Searchlight Institute.
The Abundance Movement, unlike its counterparts, lacks a defined structure but rather presents a nebulous, allegedly post-ideological ideology that claims to encompass perspectives from the socialist to the far-right spectrum. However, its practical applications are steeped in neoliberal principles. Major supporters include Silicon Valley and Wall Street organizations such as the Niskanen Center, Arnold Ventures, Open Philanthropy, Emergent Ventures, along with elements of the Koch Brothers network, the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, and a variety of other billionaire-funded organizations. Henry Burke of the Revolving Door Institute recently published a comprehensive report detailing this intricate web of astroturfing.
As vague as the term “Abundance” may sound, it aligns seamlessly with London’s Majority Democrats initiative, which needed a robust identity beyond its intentions to merely “rebrand the Democratic Leadership Council.”
“Younger Democrats Are Frustrated with Their Party’s Status Quo,” reads a New York Times article touting their launch, framing this astroturf effort as a genuine grassroots movement.
While The Times notes that “Majority Democrats has yet to issue policy prescriptions,” it mentions the group is guided by “Seth London, an adviser to major Democratic donors,” a description that downplays his role as a multimillionaire venture capitalist.
The third organization, the Searchlight Institute, is particularly notable for being co-founded by Adam Jentleson, a former chief of staff for John Fetterman, and for its bold assertion of credit for Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the recent New York City Mayor’s race.
Returning to London’s Majority Democrats:
An Impressive but Concerning Lineup
The Wikipedia entry for Majority Democrats should raise red flags for those wary of the convergence of dark money politics, corporate centrists, and dubious Democratic officials. It begins:
Majority Democrats is a hybrid political action committee (PAC) and super PAC established in July 2025 by politicians within the Democratic Party. The organization is led by Rohan Patel, a former executive at Tesla and a member of the Obama administration. It primarily comprises moderate Democrats, and its inaugural chairman is Jake Auchincloss.
Formed in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s election, the group’s stated objective is to “reshape and grow the Democratic Party so it can compete everywhere and enhance the lives of the American public.” Its leadership includes prominent figures such as Ruben Gallego, Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger, Angie Craig, Brendan Boyle, Gabe Vasquez, George T. Whitesides, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Maggie Goodlander, Aftab Pureval, Ritchie Torres, and James Talarico, with around thirty politicians joining at its inception.
In September 2025, the Boston Globe reported that Congressman Jake Auchincloss would serve as the group’s first chairman. Auchincloss referred to the group’s philosophy as “patriotic, productive populism” and it is guided by a coalition of Democratic communication strategists, including Lis Smith and Matt Corridoni.
Given the illustrious backgrounds of the individuals involved, there’s much to critique, starting with Jake Auchincloss.
Support from Palantir and Strong Backing for Israel
There are two essential facts regarding Majority Democrats’ pivotal figure, Representative Jake Auchincloss from Massachusetts:
- He accepts funding from Palantir
- He advocates for “unconditional military aid” to Israel
This latter point merits a closer examination:
During his congressional campaign in 2020, Auchincloss articulated his commitment to support Israel, stating, “I was raised with the conviction that Jews everywhere must support one another” and reinforcing the necessity for strong ties between the United States and Israel. He underscored both unconditional military aid and bilateral security relations as foundational to this partnership, while explicitly stating that he draws the line at BDS and conditioning aid to Israel.
Following the 2023 Hamas attack, Auchincloss voted for continued support to Israel, and in October 2023, he dismissed calls for a ceasefire during the Gaza conflict, asserting that Israel required military latitude to restore deterrence against terrorism.
At a July 2025 town hall meeting, Auchincloss faced criticism regarding his position on the Gaza war, where he attributed blame entirely to Hamas and maintained that the militant group held the power to halt the conflict.
It’s noteworthy that Auchincloss’s strong pro-Israel stance does not seem to deter the “centrist” factions, despite a growing unpopularity of Israel among Democratic voters.
Next, we turn to the strategist behind London’s operation: Lis Smith.
Smith: The Architect of Controversial Campaigns
Distinguished from the renowned New York Post critic Liz Smith, our Lis has a more provocative background, notably her role in promoting Pete Buttigieg and her controversial conduct for Andrew Cuomo.
A headline from New York Magazine proclaims, “Lis Smith has turned an unknown mayor into a serious contender” (archived), emblematic of her reputation in political circles.
Detailing her rise:
At 37, Smith is already a veteran strategist known for elevating Pete Buttigieg in the presidential race—a remarkable achievement considering his obscurity just a year prior. Before her involvement with Buttigieg, Smith’s history hinted at notoriety. Her high-school quote, referencing Lady Macbeth, suggested ambition masked in charm: “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” Classmates recalled her formidable personality, with one noting, “She arrived at college fully formed.”
With her striking looks and penchant for dark fashion, Smith carries an aura of intrigue but also possesses a talent for earning favor with journalists, which positions her as a formidable political force.
However, her legacy is marred by her association with Cuomo.
Defending Cuomo
The New York State Attorney General’s “Report of Investigation into Allegations of Sexual Harassment by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo” serves as a crucial primary document outlining her role in the scandal.
However, this Defector article offers a more entertaining perspective on the crisis response team’s inner workings, revealing their antagonism towards Cuomo’s accusers:
The crisis team exhibited an acute hostility; among its members were Smith and several long-time advisers. Their tumultuous attempts to salvage Cuomo’s career shed light on their power dynamics.
Smith, for instance, orchestrated media narratives, even corresponding with reporters in an effort to spin the narrative around Cuomo’s public statements. Her aggressive tactics showcased an inclination to protect her client at all costs.
After much controversy, Smith underwent a reinvention, aligning herself with Buttigieg, reflecting on her past roles, and criticizing Cuomo in her 2022 memoir, as reported by The Guardian:
In her memoir, Smith credited Buttigieg with offering a path to redemption, stating that “for the first time in my adult life, I did too” regarding her self-reflection and growth.
Now, let’s turn our focus to her latest protégé, James Talarico.
James Talarico’s Controversial Backings
Emerging on the national scene as the Democratic nominee for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat, James Talarico and his connections to dark money channels are worth examination:
Donald Shaw investigated a network of obscure Democratic donors and organizational entities, drawing attention to a new nonprofit that has already funneled nearly $3 million into a political committee involved in Democratic campaigns:
The PAC has considerable funds at its disposal—$3.75 million has been specifically directed towards the Lone Star Rising PAC, which bolstered Talarico’s primary victory. The interlinking of these funds raises questions about the implications of dark money in Democratic races.
We’ve only scratched the surface concerning the significant figures entwined in Seth London’s dark money operation, including Ruben Gallego, Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger, and others, whom I aim to explore further in subsequent discussions.
As the Democrats appear poised for substantial victories in the upcoming midterm elections, it’s essential to remain vigilant toward these manipulative tactics, as they continue to rebrand and find new candidates to support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the political landscape is undeniably influenced by the intricate connections of dark money and centrist advocacy. By understanding the motivations and strategies of key figures like Seth London, Lis Smith, and their associated organizations, voters can better navigate the complexities of modern politics and remain informed about the shifting dynamics within the Democratic Party.
Related posts:
