Category Archives: campaign finance
“The case of the missing $3M: Eric Adams’ campaign finance woes grow”
Politico:A mysterious $3 million sitting in Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection account is the latest irregularity giving campaign finance officials cause to deny him crucial public matching funds.
The Campaign Finance Board broadened the criteria it used to deny Adams… Continue reading
“In Crucial Judicial Race in Wisconsin, G.O.P. Now Has a Financial Edge”
NYT:
The last time Wisconsin held an election for the state’s Supreme Court, Republicans cried foul over the wave of money from out-of-state Democrats that overwhelmed their candidate.
Two years later, Republicans have learned their lesson. It is Democrats who… Continue reading
“Venting at Democrats and Fearing Trump, Liberal Donors Pull Back Cash”
NYT:
The demoralization and fear gripping blue America in the early weeks of President Trump’s administration have left liberal groups and their allies struggling for cash, hurting their ability to effectively combat the right-wing transformation of the federal government.
The… Continue reading
“Morning Digest: A Georgia Republican says he alone can raise unlimited sums. His rivals have other ideas”
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”
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”
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”
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)
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”
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”
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”
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
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