Category Archives: federal election commission

“Campaign watchdogs cite ‘significant concerns’ if Texas lawyer Trey Trainor gets FEC post”

September 28, 2017, 7:10 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Dallas News: Campaign watchdog groups blasted Austin lawyer Trey Trainor on Wednesday, warning senators that his ties to the White House and views on campaign finance should raise “significant concerns” should he win a spot on the Federal Election… Continue reading

“Trump Nominee to FEC Tried to Shred Texas’ Already-Weak Ethics Laws”

September 19, 2017, 7:01 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Christopher Hooks for the Texas Observer.

“How the FEC Turned a Blind Eye to Foreign Meddling”

September 18, 2017, 9:01 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Ann Ravel for Politico: I suggested to the commission that the FEC consult with internet and tech experts to discuss how the agency’s current approach may or may not fit with future innovations. Starting this conversation should have been noncontroversial,… Continue reading

“Trump’s FEC nominee has questioned the value of disclosing political donors”

September 15, 2017, 9:06 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Matea Gold for WaPo: James E. “Trey” Trainor III, the conservative Texas lawyer nominated by President Trump this week to serve on the Federal Election Commission, has challenged the principle that the public benefits from the disclosure of political donors,… Continue reading

FEC’s Weintraub: “Our elections are facing more threats online. Our laws must catch up.”

September 14, 2017, 8:03 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

WaPo oped from Ellen Weintraub, longtime FEC Commissioner: Would you click on that political ad if you knew it had been generated by a Russian troll farm? Probably not. But without knowing that? Well, you might. Indeed, we now know… Continue reading

“FEC Votes to Explore Disclosure Rules for Online Ads”

September 14, 2017, 7:33 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Ken Doyle for Bloomberg BNA: The Federal Election Commission voted unanimously to jump-start a rulemaking process focused on disclosure requirements for online ads, following the revelation of Russian-linked political ads on Facebook. The vote, at the end of a lengthy … Continue reading

“Trump FEC Pick’s Twitter Goes Dark After Users Spot Anti-Protestant Links”

September 14, 2017, 7:30 amfederal election commissionRick Hasen

TPM: The Twitter account for President Trump’s new pick for the Federal Election Commission was reportedly made private Tuesday evening after other Twitter users began noticing some of the nominee’s past sharing of anti-Protestant posts. The White House announced late… Continue reading

“Trump nominates Texas lawyer Trey Trainor for Federal Election Commission”

September 13, 2017, 7:19 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Texas Tribune: President Donald Trump is nominating Trey Trainor, an Austin lawyer well known in Texas politics, to serve on the Federal Election Commission. The White House announced Trainor’s appointment late Tuesday night. He must be confirmed by the… Continue reading

“Will Donald Trump let the Federal Election Commission rot?”

September 8, 2017, 10:03 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Dave Levinthal for CPI.

“Russian Facebook Political Ad Buys During 2016 Election Draw DOJ & FEC Complaints”

September 8, 2017, 9:50 amcampaign finance, chicanery, Department of Justice, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Release: Today Common Cause filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that one or more unknown foreign nationals made expenditures, independent expenditures or disbursements in connection with the 2016 presidential… Continue reading

“FEC Might Act on Russia-Linked Facebook Political Ads: Official”

September 7, 2017, 9:26 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: The revelation that Russian sources financed political ads on Facebook in the 2016 presidential campaign could prompt enforcement action by the Federal Election Commission, agency Vice Chairwoman Caroline Hunter said. “It’s something we can and should deal with… Continue reading

President Trump Nominates FEC Commissioner Matthew Petersen for Federal District Court Judgeship in DC

September 7, 2017, 7:23 amfederal election commissionRick Hasen

Dave Levinthal with the news, who also notes that if Petersen is confirmed there would be only 4 commissioners on the 6-member commission, a bare quorum.

Republican FEC Commissioners Reject Comm’r Weintraub Proposal for Foreign Interference Rulemaking

July 14, 2017, 1:18 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Statement of reasons: The specter of any foreign government meddling in U.S. elections is an issue that we, like all Americans, take very seriously. Contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals in connection with U.S. elections are prohibited by the Federal… Continue reading

“Law on Foreign Campaign Money Narrow, FEC Analysis Says”

July 7, 2017, 8:44 pmcampaign finance, chicanery, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: The Federal Election Commission may be severely constrained in what it can or will do to combat foreign influence in U.S. elections, a new analysis posted on the agency’s website suggests. The commissioners have recently grappled with… Continue reading