The amount of money spent on election campaigns in the United States has increased dramatically over time, sparking debate on the influence of money in politics and its impact on the democratic process. While less in focus during this year’s turbulent election season, the topic remains critical as campaign financing has substantial potential to influence voter behavior and shape the political landscape. How are presidential and congressional races generally funded and how are the current contenders for the White House financing their campaigns? Which consequences does the current legal framework around campaign financing in the U.S. have for transparency and fairness and how does it differ from the German model? To what extent does money determine election outcomes?

With Sandra Navidi, University of Cologne alumna, financial expert, attorney and CEO of BeyondGlobal

and Maureen Edobor, Assistant Professor of Law, Washington and Lee School of Law

Moderated by:
Dr. Yaena Kwon, Freelance Journalist, Harvard University

With welcoming remarks by:

Dr. Eva Bosbach, Executive Director, University of Cologne New York Office

Viktoria Harbecke, Director, AmerikaHaus NRW e.V.

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This event is part of the Transatlantic Tandem Talks series:

The Transatlantic Tandem Talks are hosted by the University of Cologne New York Office in cooperation with its partners the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York, the German Embassy in Washington D.C., Deutsches Haus at NYU, DAAD New York, the German Research Foundation (DFG) North America, the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York, 1014 - space for ideas, the Goethe Institute New York, AmerikaHaus NRW, the American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and as of 2024, the American Council on Germany (ACG).