What defines Super PACs in the context of political fundraising?

Super PACs are defined primarily by their ability to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money for political advocacy, while not being allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or their campaigns. This distinction is crucial: it allows Super PACs to operate independently and fund advertisements or strategies that support or oppose candidates without directly collaborating with them.

The independence of Super PACs is a significant aspect of the campaign finance system, as it enables them to mobilize substantial financial resources from individuals, corporations, and unions. This characteristic effectively allows Super PACs to influence elections and public opinion by frequently expressing support or opposition to candidates, provided they do so without engaging in coordinated efforts with the campaigns themselves. Thus, the key defining feature of Super PACs is their unlimited spending capability coupled with restrictions on direct coordination with candidate campaigns.