They Can Buy a Superyacht. Can They Afford a Seat in Congress?

Some rich Americans spend millions trying to get themselves elected. Most of them fail.

Ballot box with falling money

Shutterstock; NOTUS

He’s the composer behind the iconic, award-winning “Halo” soundtrack. His success in scoring and designing video games made him a personal fortune in the tens of millions. And now, at 70, Marty O’Donnell is spending his retirement and savings running for Congress — again.

After a fourth-place finish in the Republican primary for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District in 2024, O’Donnell is now dipping even further into his pocketbook. So far, he’s sunk $3 million into his campaign for the same seat, $2 million more than he invested in the last contest.

“The Democrats are going to throw a big pile of money at this race,” O’Donnell said. “I’m not going to let a Democrat defeat me because they outspent me. That’s just not going to happen.”