Category Archives: campaign finance

New York: “Judge preserves fusion voting, negates public dollars for campaigns”

March 13, 2020, 7:55 amballot access, campaign financeRick Hasen

Buffalo News: A State Supreme Court justice has voided new rules adopted by a special commission paving the way for public financing of elections in New York State while making it harder for minor parties to qualify for the ballot.Justice… Continue reading

“Senate clashes over fate of embattled election watchdog”

March 11, 2020, 8:52 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Politico: The Federal Election Commission — which is charged with policing federal campaign finance law — has been sidelined for months leading up to the presidential election because it lost its quorum. But a hearing Tuesday to fill a… Continue reading

“Mike Bloomberg plans new group to support Democratic nominee”

March 5, 2020, 7:45 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo: Former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg has decided to form an independent expenditure campaign that will absorb hundreds of his presidential campaign staffers in six swing states to work to elect the Democratic nominee this fall.The group, with a… Continue reading

“Michael Bloomberg Quits Democratic Race, Ending a Brief and Costly Bid”

March 4, 2020, 8:11 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT: In an unprecedented effort to self-finance a presidential campaign — which some rivals derided as an attempt to buy the White House — Mr. Bloomberg’s bid cost him more than half a billion dollars in advertising alone. He… Continue reading

“Watchdog Sues to Force Facebook to Reveal Political Ad Sponsor”

March 3, 2020, 4:46 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Bloomberg: A watchdog group is seeking to force Facebook Inc. to disclose who paid for online political ads on the social media site in 2018 that promoted Green Party candidates in certain House and Senate races.The Campaign Legal Center (CLC)… Continue reading

“Super Tuesday to Test Whether Bloomberg’s Ad Presence Pays Off”

March 2, 2020, 8:06 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WSJ: TV viewers in Super Tuesday states know this: Michael Bloomberg and his presidential campaign are on almost every channel. All day. And nearly all night.The former New York City mayor appears on presidential primary ballots for the first… Continue reading

“Steve Bannon’s Use of Private Jet Linked to Chinese Businessman Could Violate Campaign Finance Law”

February 26, 2020, 8:49 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

ProPublica: Former Donald Trump campaign CEO and chief strategist Steve Bannon used a private jet apparently owned by a wealthy Chinese businessman to fly to events to promote Republican congressional candidates in 2018.The previously unreported flights could run afoul… Continue reading

“Watchdog Says Buttigieg Campaign Exploited Super PAC Loophole”

February 18, 2020, 7:52 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT: To most supporters of Pete Buttigieg, the tweet probably seemed innocuous: A senior adviser to Mr. Buttigieg, Michael Halle, simply noted that the candidate’s military record would be an asset in Nevada.But critics say Mr. Halle’s tweet also served… Continue reading

“Judge Set to OK Bulk of San Francisco Political Ad Disclosure Rules”

February 15, 2020, 8:28 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Courthouse News Service reports.

“Foreign Information Is Not a Campaign Finance Violation”

February 14, 2020, 8:44 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Jim Bopp in the NLJ: The Democrat members of Congress and their media allies are totally off base. No President could effectively exercise his constitutional authority if his every interaction with foreign officials is subject to second-guessing under campaign finance… Continue reading

Koch Bros. Reportedly Helped Fund Buckley v. Valeo Litigation to Start Early Attack on Campaign Finance Laws

February 8, 2020, 9:15 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Lisa Graves oped in The Guardian.

“Campaign Finance: Federal Framework, Agency Roles and Responsibilities, and Perspectives”

February 7, 2020, 1:28 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

New GAO report.

FEC Commissioner Hunter Responds to Prof. Torres-Spelliscy’s Testimony About the FEC and the Foreign Money Ban

February 7, 2020, 7:32 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Dave Levinthal: 1/ NEW: Following today's House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on campaign finance, @FEC Chair Caroline Hunter sends pointed letter to @ProfCiara regarding her testimony about foreign spending in U.S. elections. pic.twitter.com/rfgnMwfvYw— Dave Levinthal (@davelevinthal) February 7, 2020

Washington Examiner Newspaper Sells Its Mailing List to Trump Campaign/RNC For Fundraising Blast, Then Writes Article About Blast Without Revealing This Fact

February 7, 2020, 7:25 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Dave Levinthal thread starts here: 1/ A short thread about a news organization, the Trump campaign and a fundraising message …On Thursday, my colleague @JimSmall received a garden variety campaign solicitation from the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, a… Continue reading