First, let’s clear up the basics. A PAC (Political Action Committee) is created to distribute funds to candidates, political parties, or other PACs. PACs are strictly regulated under state law, with transparency rules that let any citizen view their donors and spending at disclosures.utah.gov

A 501(c)(4), on the other hand, is a federal tax designation for “social welfare” organizations. While the law requires them to spend the majority of their efforts engaging in civic activities, they are also allowed to fund political efforts — but aren’t required to disclose their donors. Individuals and corporations can give unlimited sums of money, and the voting public has no way of knowing who those donors are or where they are from. That’s where the “dark money” concern comes in: political influence without accountability or transparency.

Here’s why it matters in Orem:

The Case of Stronger Together

Stronger Together originally organized as a PIC (Political Issues Committee), but after questions were brought to the Lt. Governor’s office regarding compliance with campaign laws, the PIC was eventually ordered to be shut down, and they created a PAC. Later, the same organizers created a second arm: a 501(c)(4) called Stronger Together Community.

Why two entities, one transparent and one opaque? The PAC must disclose all donors and spending. The 501(c)(4) does not. By aligning messages with candidates, hosting candidate-specific events, and producing mailers and fliers under the 501(c)(4), the group can boost campaigns while shielding the true source of funds. Also, they appear to be using campaign events to look as if they are fulfilling their “social welfare” directive by adding “bring a can of food” to the campaign event advertisements. The candidate event is, of course, their main purpose.

To make matters worse, Stronger Together Community isn’t listed under Corporations on the state’s disclosure site, despite existing for over a year and raising money. Instead, the public sees only “Stronger Orem aka Stronger Together,” a name shuffle that obscures which organization is being referenced and which rules apply.

History of Concerns

This is not the first time transparency has been an issue with this group: The original Stronger Together PIC was forced to dissolve for inappropriate campaigning by the Lt. Governor’s office. Financial reports have been filed late or only after intervention from the Lt. Governor’s office. During the 2023 city council elections, candidate contributions were not reported on time, and then not until December, long after the election. (see Orem.gov/elections 2023 Post disclosures for Jenn Gale, Chris Killpack, Jeff Lambson, all Stronger Together candidates)

The group’s public communications use the broad label “Stronger Together” without clarifying whether the PAC or the 501(c)(4) is speaking. How are voters to know if the PAC or Dark Money entity is involved?

When Stronger Together published their recent opinion piece, they omitted any mention of their 501(c)(4). The Chatterleys’ guest opinion defending them did the same. That absence is telling: the heart of the “dark money” concern is precisely the 501(c)(4) — the entity that does not disclose its donors or spending.

Why It Matters for Orem

Does this automatically mean wrongdoing? Not necessarily. But the structure raises legitimate concerns: one group of individuals now wields two vehicles of influence in our elections, only one of which is accountable to the public.

Orem voters should ask: Why has Stronger Together Community not been listed publicly despite raising funds? Why do their leaders emphasize transparency through the PAC while staying silent about the 501(c)(4)? Why use a confusing mix of names that blur distinctions between their organizations?

In politics, transparency is not optional. Our community deserves to know who is funding the mailers, events, and messages that shape our local elections.

The Bottom Line

Before Stronger Together, Orem had never faced this kind of problem in our city elections. For decades, campaigns here were open, accountable, and transparent. Now one group is importing Washington-style dark money sources tactics, running two organizations with different rules, hiding donors behind a 501(c)(4), filing late, and shuffling names to confuse voters. This isn’t a healthy debate. It’s manipulation. If we allow hidden money to buy influence in Orem, we risk losing the trust that has always set our community apart. Every voter deserves to know who is funding the campaigns shaping our future. Anything less isn’t democracy — it’s deception.

Brian Harris is a concerned Orem voter.