Category Archives: campaign finance

“Morning Digest: A Georgia Republican says he alone can raise unlimited sums. His rivals have other ideas”

February 17, 2025, 7:02 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

The Downballot: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones hasn’t yet announced his long-anticipated campaign for governor of Georgia, but he’s already taking advantage of a state law allowing him to raise unlimited sums of money—something none of his would-be rivals can… Continue reading

“The Rise of America’s Broligarchy and What to Do About It”

February 12, 2025, 7:01 amcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

Larry Norden and Dan Weiner in Time: While the corrupting influence of big money over our government is not new, the specifics of this danger are different today than perhaps at any other time in our nation’s history. Tech billionaires,… Continue reading

Brennan Center: “New York State’s Public Campaign Financing Program Empowers Constituent Small Donors”

February 6, 2025, 11:50 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

New analysis: Candidates relied much more on small donations from constituents. The program has made in-district contributions of $250 or less a central component of fundraising. These donations leaped from less than 5 percent of overall funding in recent… Continue reading

“Elon Musk donated $288 million in 2024 election, final tally shows”

February 1, 2025, 7:19 amcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

WaPo: Billionaire Elon Musk spent at least $288 million to help elect President Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, according to a Washington Post analysis of new Federal Election Commission filings that offered an end-of-year snapshotof what was spent during… Continue reading

“Campaign Cash Clash” (Interview with me on Marist’s polling podcast)

January 31, 2025, 7:42 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

I spoke with the Marist polling folks for their podcast on campaign finance and the 2024 elections. Listen.

“DOJ moves to drop charges against former GOP lawmaker in case criticized by Trump”

January 30, 2025, 6:48 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Politico: The Justice Department has moved to drop its criminal prosecution of former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican who resigned last year after a conviction on charges that he lied to the FBI. Fortenberry’s conviction by a federal jury … Continue reading

“Trump’s White House Press Secretary Reveals Her Failed Campaign Spent $200K in Illicit Contributions”

January 24, 2025, 6:54 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NOTUS: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed in amended campaign filings on Thursday that her unsuccessful 2022 congressional campaign owes more than $300,000 in unpaid debts, with Leavitt failing to disclose for years that her campaign took in… Continue reading

“Blame the Supreme Court for Elon Musk’s Power in Trump Administration”

January 23, 2025, 7:41 amcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

Brendan Fischer Rolling Stone commentary, with the subhead: “Elon Musk’s outsized influence with the new president is a direct result of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which turns 15 this week.”

Time Magazine: Musk Threatens Super PAC Spending Against Senators Who Don’t Vote to Confirm Trump Cabinet Nominees

January 21, 2025, 2:03 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Time: Another source familiar with the matter tells TIME that a Trump ally informed Ernst that the President would support a primary challenge against her in Iowa—where Trump won the caucuses last year by roughly 30 points—if she blocked Hegseth. At… Continue reading

“Is it finally time to end the ‘blessed’ super PAC?; Last year, Democrats funneled nearly all of their resources into one billion dollar entity. Why did they put all of their eggs in one basket?”

January 18, 2025, 2:14 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Kyle Tharp writes.

“‘Everyone’s trying to kiss the ring’: Trump’s inauguration devours corporate cash, smashing records”

January 16, 2025, 7:07 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Politico: Donald Trump’s first White House victory caught corporate America flat-footed. This time around, industries that his administration will soon oversee are showering his inaugural committee with record-breaking donations — and making sure both the president-elect and the public notice… Continue reading

“Scoop: Trump’s $500 million post-election windfall”

January 15, 2025, 7:02 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Axios: President-elect Trump is being inundated with so much money from corporations and wealthy donors that his team expects to raise about $500 million by summer — even though he can’t run again, sources in his operation tell Axios. Why… Continue reading

“Fifteen Years Later, Citizens United Defined the 2024 Election”

January 14, 2025, 10:10 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

New analysis from the Brennan Center.

“Trump Inauguration, Awash in Cash, Runs Out of Perks for Big Donors”

January 10, 2025, 2:22 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

NYT: President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inaugural committee is no longer selling tickets for major donors to attend his swearing-in and accompanying private events in Washington, according to five people briefed on the conversations. The committee has raised over $170 million,… Continue reading