Category Archives: campaign finance

“Donald Trump’s Politics of Plunder”

May 27, 2025, 10:48 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, conflict of interest laws, ethics investigationsdemocratic backsliding, Pay-to-PlayJustin Levitt

Evan Osnos, in the latest issue of the New Yorker, reviews the state of American oligarchy and the First Family’s use of the Oval Office as a private moneymaking machine. One small excerpt: Even seasoned practitioners of Washington pay-to-play have… Continue reading

“Trump wants an investigation of Democrats’ fundraising. His own campaign has issues”

May 27, 2025, 10:45 pmcampaign finance, Department of JusticeJustin Levitt

The AP’s lede: When President Donald Trump directed his attorney general last month to investigate online fundraising, he cited concerns that foreigners and fraudsters were using elaborate “schemes“ and “dummy accounts” to funnel illegal contributions to politicians and causes.… Continue reading

“Eric Adams sues Campaign Finance Board for denying him millions in matching funds”

May 27, 2025, 10:43 pmcampaign finance, chicanerymatching funds, public financingJustin Levitt

Politico has the latest in the Eric Adams adventure.

“Elections board prepares to revamp R.I.’s aging campaign finance software. It just needs the money.”

May 27, 2025, 10:39 pmcampaign finance, election administrationelection budgetsJustin Levitt

Yet another piece – this one from States Newsroom affiliate the Rhode Island Current – about yet another impact of radically underfunding elections offices.

“Qatari foreign agents frequently donate to the congressional offices they lobby”

May 26, 2025, 1:36 pmcampaign finance, lobbyingJustin Levitt

From the Washington Examiner. I suspect the practice isn’t limited to Qatar.

“Trump’s $600 million war chest: How he plans to wield his power in the midterms and beyond”

May 23, 2025, 7:17 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

AP: Between a barrage of executive orders, foreign trips and norm-shattering proclamations, Donald Trump has also been busy raking in cash. The president has amassed a war chest of at least $600 million in political donations heading into the midterm… Continue reading

“Musk to step back from political spending: ‘I think I’ve done enough’”

May 20, 2025, 8:26 amcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

Politico: Elon Musk said he plans to cut back on political spending, saying he has “done enough,” a move that coincides with the billionaire entrepreneur taking a step back from President Donald Trump’s Washington. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum… Continue reading

“Michigan AG Dana Nessel says Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated campaign law”

May 19, 2025, 5:53 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Detroit News: Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office has determined Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson broke the state’s campaign finance law on the day she announced her bid for governor, but there’s no mechanism to penalize Benson, who’s in charge… Continue reading

Breaking: Trump DOJ Agrees with Republican Party in Supreme Court Filing That Limits on Coordinated Political Party Spending Violate the First Amendment; Court Likely to Take Case and Strike Down Statute

May 19, 2025, 1:18 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I have been following this NRSC case for a long time, and long predicted a cert grant. After multiple delays, starting when Biden was still president, DOJ has filed its response in the Supreme Court to the Republican Party. In… Continue reading

“When are big-money contributions to super PACs corrupting?”

May 14, 2025, 7:18 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Michael Beckel: Can contributions to super PACs be corrupting? That question is at the heart of a lawsuit being heard next week in federal court in Maine, where two super PACs are challenging a ballot measure passed by 75% of … Continue reading

“After Criticism, Harris’s $900 Million Group Tries to Lay Out a Future”

May 11, 2025, 7:59 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT: Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the election in November, a big-money group that had raised over $900 million to support her but ultimately failed in its efforts has kept a low profile — even as Ms.… Continue reading

“Trump, Raking In Cash, Expands His Power in the G.O.P. Money World”

May 10, 2025, 1:20 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT: President Trump is harnessing the Republican Party’s all-encompassing deference to him to exert even greater control over the G.O.P. big-money world, which had long been one of the party’s final remaining redoubts of Trump skepticism. For years, the super… Continue reading

“With lawmakers’ help, Alaska political donation limits could come before 2026 election”

May 1, 2025, 11:13 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Alaska Beacon: Four years after a federal appeals court eliminated Alaska’s limits on political campaign contributions, the Alaska House of Representatives has taken a step toward reimposing them. On Monday, the House voted 22-18 to approve House Bill … Continue reading

My New Draft: “Faux Campaign Finance Regulation and the Pathway to American Oligarchy”

April 28, 2025, 7:32 amcampaign finance, Plutocrats UnitedRick Hasen

I have posted this draft for an upcoming conference on SSRN. Here is the abstract: The collapse of campaign finance regulation in the United States has facilitated a path toward oligarchic power redistribution. Americans did not adopt the current set… Continue reading