One of the Democracy Alliance’s founding billionaires has resigned from the progressive advocacy group, the Huffington Post reports.
Peter Lewis, a prolific Democratic funder who works closely with the controversial billionaire George Soros, will soon depart Democracy Alliance, dealing "a blow to the organization, both in fundraising terms and in perception within the liberal donor community," according Huffington Post reporter Ryan Grim, who cut his chops at Lewis’ pot shop, the Marijuana Policy Project.
Grim writes:
Lewis, the eccentric and reclusive founder of the insurer Progressive Corp., is one of the biggest donors in Democratic and liberal politics. He invested $25 million in the failed effort to oust President George W. Bush in 2004, making him one of the biggest donors in American political history. He coordinated his giving that year with billionaire George Soros, who gave $50 million.
Both Lewis and Soros have backed the Democracy Alliance since its founding in 2005. Lewis' exit from the network did not come as a major surprise to people familiar with him, as he has gradually disengaged from the group in recent years.