Category Archives: campaigns

“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

“Mysterious ‘vote-shaming’ mailer investigated ahead of Northern California special election”

May 30, 2019, 8:29 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Sacramento Bee: Just days before a state Senate special election Tuesday, a mysterious letter threatening to publicly expose voters who don’t cast ballots has begun appearing in mailboxes across Northern California, prompting a state inquiry into whether election… Continue reading

“Federal subpoena demands records on Andrew Gillum and his campaign for governor”

May 30, 2019, 7:53 amcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

Tampa Bay Times: Andrew Gillum is a focal point of a recently issued federal grand jury subpoena that demands information on the former Democratic candidate for governor, his campaign, his political committee, a wealthy donor, a charity he worked… Continue reading

“What’s Trump’s actual strategy with black voters?”

May 29, 2019, 8:36 pmcampaignsRick Hasen

The Fix reports. “But, of course, Trump doesn’t need to win black voters. There are two strategies that may prove just as useful: Doing a bit better with black voters than he did in 2016 or keeping black turnout… Continue reading

“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.

“Trump campaign embraces groups trying to court minority voters – one with false pitches”

May 27, 2019, 8:24 pmcampaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

WaPo: Nearly a year after a gay freelance hairstylist living in Harlem posted a Facebook video repudiating the Democratic Party, Brandon Straka found himself in Trump Tower on Thursday speaking with Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and a senior… Continue reading

“Trump Gives Attorney General Sweeping Power in Review of 2016 Campaign Inquiry”

May 24, 2019, 8:07 amcampaigns, chicanery, Department of JusticeRick Hasen

NYT: President Trump took extraordinary steps on Thursday to give Attorney General William P. Barr sweeping new authorities to conduct a review into how the 2016 Trump campaign’s ties to Russia were investigated, significantly escalating the administration’s efforts to place… 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