Category Archives: campaign finance

“Trump’s political operation paid more than $4.3 million to Jan. 6 organizers but questions remain about the full extent of its involvement”

September 1, 2021, 6:55 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Anna Massoglia for OpenSecrets: Former President Donald Trump’s political operation reported paying more than $4.3 million to people and firms that organized the Jan. 6 rally since the start of the 2020 election. However, questions remain about the full… Continue reading

ELB Book Corner: Primo and Milyo (Post 2 of 4): The Cynical Public

August 31, 2021, 7:00 amcampaign finance, ELB Book CornerRick Hasen

I am pleased to welcome to ELB Book Corner David Primo and Jeff Milyo, writing about their new book, Campaign Finance and American Democracy: What The Public Really Thinks and Why It Matters (U Chicago Press 2020). Here is… Continue reading

ELB Book Corner: Primo and Milyo (Post 1 of 4): Ignorance About Campaign Finance Reform Is Not Bliss

August 30, 2021, 7:00 amcampaign finance, ELB Book CornerRick Hasen

“No-party candidate in Miami election fraud case takes plea deal, apologizes to voters”

August 24, 2021, 8:00 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Miami Herald: An auto parts salesman and acquaintance of a former Miami lawmaker accused of running a vote-siphoning scheme in a 2020 Florida Senate race pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges that he accepted illegal donations and lied on sworn… Continue reading

“Giuliani associate Igor Fruman expected to plead guilty in campaign-finance case”

August 24, 2021, 7:53 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: Igor Fruman, an associate of Rudolph W. Giuliani who aided his political activities on behalf of former president Donald Trump, is expected to plead guilty this week in connection with his indictment on campaign finance fraud charges, according to… Continue reading

IFS Files Amicus Briefs Attacking FEC Democratic Commissioners’ Refusal to Close Case Files or Vote to Defend FEC in Court for Inaction

August 18, 2021, 6:56 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

See here. For background, read this NYT article.

“Hyperpartisan Campaign Finance”

August 15, 2021, 7:30 amcampaign financeDerek Muller

An article from Michael S. Kang, forthcoming in the Emory Law Journal, now on SSRN: Hyperpartisanship dominates modern American politics and government, but today’s politics are strikingly different from the preceding period of American history, a Cold War… Continue reading

“Cuomo Has $18 Million in Campaign Cash. What Can He Do With It?”

August 12, 2021, 1:39 pmcampaign finance, campaignsDerek Muller

New York Times: Even after his resignation takes effect in less than two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo will still control the largest pot of campaign cash in New York politics, an $18 million war chest amassed in apparent… Continue reading

Sixth Circuit affirms convictions for unlawful contributions to Kentucky candidate for U.S. Senate

August 9, 2021, 1:44 pmcampaign finance, campaignsDerek Muller

The opinion in United States v. Emmons is here. Alison Lundergan Grimes from Kentucky challenged Mitch McConnell in 2014 for a U.S. Senate seat. Her father (who ran a closely-held business) and a family friend were found guilty of… Continue reading

“Reducing Election Litigation”

August 9, 2021, 5:59 amcampaign finance, guest blogging election law scholarshipDerek Muller

I have this draft on SSRN of a piece coming out in the Fordham Law Review as a part of its recent election law symposium. It’s a small effort to think about election litigation and how it might be reduced.… Continue reading

“Trump’s Repeating Donation Tactics Led to Millions in Refunds Into 2021”

August 8, 2021, 2:03 pmcampaign financeDerek Muller

New York Times: The aggressive fund-raising tactics that former President Donald J. Trump deployed late in last year’s presidential campaign have continued to spur an avalanche of refunds into 2021, with Mr. Trump, the Republican Party and their shared… Continue reading

Ninth Circuit finds that some Alaska campaign finance rules violate First Amendment

August 2, 2021, 4:37 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtDerek Muller

Thanks, Ned, for your terrific insight over the last couple of weeks. And thanks once again, Rick, for this opportunity to join ELB as a contributor, including picking up daily blogging duty for the next couple of weeks. Late last… Continue reading

A tell from Trump’s money?

July 22, 2021, 12:16 pmcampaign financeNed Foley

This Washington Post story, on Trump’s PAC not spending for the pseudo-audits of the 2020 election, suggests instead that he’s saving the funds for a 2024 run, or perhaps to dole out in the midterms. The most interesting nugget,… Continue reading