We can empathize.
Campaign finance is a complicated subject, and can be confusing to the uninitiated.
So if you're new to the site, or new to the subject matter, allow us to suggest a few ways to approach opensecrets.org. Track an industry. You may want to start with the industry you're working in now. We have more than 80 different industries profiled in our industries section, with political contributions going back a decade. Check up on the candidates.