National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Comm’n · ¶54

That is because the donor gives money to a political party, not to the candidate. That distinction is significant: McCutcheon recognized that there “is not the same risk of quid pro quo corruption . . . when money flows through independent actors to a candidate, as when a donor contributes to a candidate directly.” 572 U. S., at 210. After the donor has contributed to the party, the party is legally and practically free to use the funds as it sees fit— presumably supporting the candidates who have the best chance of success, are locked in the closest races, or align the most with the party, among other possibilities. The party need not spend the money on the candidate of the donor’s choice.

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