Category Archives: campaign finance

In 1987, Mitch McConnell, Now a Leading Opponent of Any Government Limits on Money in Politics, Proposed a Constitutional Amendment to Limit a Candidate’s Use of Personal Funds and Independent Expenditures as “Distort[ing]” the Political Process

June 6, 2019, 7:31 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

This is history I did not know. Watch the video: Thanks. Didn’t realize there was more than one page. I wonder what @rickhasen thinks of that proposed amendment.— Mike Stern (@mls1776) June 7, 2019

“The Supreme Court Nixes Corporate Contributions for the 2020 Campaign”

June 6, 2019, 9:25 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy: A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court delivered a surprising rebuke to those who think corporations just don’t have enough influence on U.S. elections. In declining to hear the case of 1A Auto, Inc. vs. Sullivan, the… Continue reading

“Everyone Knows Money Influences Politics … Except Scientists”

June 4, 2019, 6:52 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

FiveThirtyEight deep dive.

JFC: FEC Deadlocks on Rules for Joint Fundraising Committees, Bringing Us Closer to Concerns of Huge Fundraising Raised by SCOTUS Dissenters in McCutcheon Case

June 3, 2019, 12:03 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Michael Beckel: Latest example of @FEC gridlock on a major enforcement issue: On Friday, #FEC announced the commission deadlocked 2-2 in complaints against the joint fundraising committees (JFCs) that aided Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump in 2016 https://t.co/vjZsNYECtt &… Continue reading

“In need of cash, Democratic presidential hopefuls turn to wealthy donors”

June 3, 2019, 7:29 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo: Across the Democratic field, candidates are embracing the big donors they distanced themselves from early on — a sign of increasing doubt that the small, online donations the campaigns have been chasing will be sufficient to sustain… Continue reading

Top 10 “Interest Group” Contributors to Congress for 2018 Elections

June 3, 2019, 7:07 amcampaign finance, campaignsRichard Pildes

Lots of interesting and perhaps surprising information at the OpenSecrets.org site on the occupation of the “groups” that gave the largest contributions in the 2018 congressional election cycle. A couple points that stood out to me: Those who list their… Continue reading

“Democrats roll out $90 million super PAC aimed at swing states”

May 31, 2019, 7:17 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Politico: The nation’s largest super PAC devoted to grassroots Democratic turnout is launching its organizing efforts earlier than ever in seven swing states with a new campaign director and its largest budget to date: $80 million to $90 million.

“New Democratic Debate Rules Will Distort Priorities, Some Campaigns Say”

May 30, 2019, 8:40 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT: The Democratic Party’s new directive that candidates must have at least 130,000 donors to qualify for the third primary debate in September arrived virtually without warning on Wednesday morning, and immediately sent shock waves through presidential campaigns worried that… Continue reading

Sixth Circuit Unanimously Rejects Challenge to Kentucky Lobbyist/Campaign Contribution Rules

May 30, 2019, 1:25 pmcampaign finance, lobbyingRick Hasen

See the opinion in Schickel v. Moellman here. Some rejections were on standing grounds and some on the merits.

“Loopholes Allow Foreign Adversaries to Legally Interfere in U.S. Elections”

May 29, 2019, 7:52 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Fred Wertheimer for Just Security.

“Buckley 2.0: How Would The Buckley Court Decide Buckley Today?”

May 27, 2019, 4:56 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Miriam Galston has posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract: If you read Supreme Court campaign finance cases, you will be struck by the disconnect between the lofty rhetoric used to justify the constitutional protections afforded political speech… Continue reading

“Congressional leadership PACs continue to subsidize lavish lifestyles”

May 22, 2019, 7:21 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Release: A new report today released by Issue One and Campaign Legal Center (CLC) shows that instead of doling out funds to political allies, members of Congress routinely use leadership PAC funds to pay for expensive meals, rounds of… Continue reading

“Watchdog Group Files Complaint Over Donation to Trump Super PAC by Canadian Billionaire’s Company”

May 21, 2019, 9:31 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT: A campaign finance watchdog group filed a complaint on Tuesday against a Canadian billionaire alleging that he violated a federal ban on contributions by foreigners when his United States-based company donated $1.75 million last year to a political… Continue reading

“Prosecutors: Michael Cohen campaign finance probe is active”

May 21, 2019, 9:26 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

AP: Prosecutors aren’t quite finished investigating campaign finance violations by President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer.U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III agreed Tuesday to keep search warrant materials related to the investigation of Michael Cohen under seal until… Continue reading