Lobbying

Missouri: “On the Trail: Lawmakers struggle to close General Assembly’s ‘revolving door’” by Jason Rosenbaum for KRCU

New York: “Education, Real Estate Tax Breaks Drove $131 Million Lobbying Spending” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

“The Inside Story of Trump Campaign’s Connections to a Big-Money Super PAC” by Matea Gold, Tom Hamburger, and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

New Mexico: “Duran Proposes New Rules for Campaign Finance” by Deborah Baker for Albuquerque Journal

Ethics

California: “‘Behested Payments’ Let Private Groups Curry Favor with Politicians – New Law Will Limit Disclosure” by Marisa Lagos for KQED

Virginia: “State Ethics Commission Recommends $15,000 Pay Raise for General Assembly Members” by Graham Moomaw for Roanoke Times

Elections

“Even with Rising Debt and Sinking Polls, Candidates Find Dropping Out Is Hard to Do” by Noah Bierman for Los Angeles Times

“The Women in the Van” by Hadas Gold for Politico

Legislative Issues

“The Obsession of the House Freedom Caucus” by Jake Sherman for Politico

Lobbying

“Illegal Lobbying Practice Got Scant Pentagon Attention” by Austin Wright for Politico

Campaign Finance

“How Trump Blurs the Line” by Katy O’Donnell for Politico

“‘Outsider’ Presidential Candidates Prove Competitive in Fund-Raising” by Nicholas Confessore and Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

California: “New California Rules Meant to Deter Coordination in Campaigns” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Ethics

Arizona: “Public Disservice: Few punished in Arizona discrimination cases” by Rob O’Dell and Craig Harris for Arizona Republic

California: “In Sacramento, Limits Are Few on Revolving Door between Government and Private Jobs” by John Myers for KQED

Hawaii: “Kirk Caldwell’s Many ‘Tokens of Aloha’ Came from Influential Parties” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “Reform Proposals Fly as Panel Evaluates Ethics Watchdog” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette

Ohio: “Court Documents: A second Redflex executive pleaded guilty in bribery conspiracy” by Doug Caruso for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Ethics, Campaign Finance Bills Advance in Pittsburgh City Council” by Robert Zullo for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lobbying

“K Street Has Tough Time Counting on Republican Congress to Pass Business Priorities” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

California: “Prop. C’s Proposed Lobbying Crackdown Irks Nonprofits” by John Wildermuth for San Francisco Chronicle

New York: “JCOPE Announces Amnesty Program for Some Lobbyists” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

“The Gender Gap in Political Giving” by Jeremy Merrill for New York Times

“Voters Are Mad about Mega-Donors, and It’s Helping Trump and Sanders” by Matea Gold and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

Montana: “Court Rejects Appeal by Group Suing over State Election Laws” by The Associated Press for Great Falls Tribune

Washington: “Attorney General’s Office Sues Union over Campaign-Finance Laws” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Ethics

Connecticut: “State Urges High Court to Reinstate Conviction against Former Hartford Mayor Perez” by Edmund Mahony for Hartford Courant

Virginia: “McDonnell Formally Asks Supreme Court to Take Up His Case” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Elections

“Hillary Clinton’s Debate Performance Complicates Biden’s Path” by Dan Balz for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Republicans Gone Wild: Q&A with Mann and Ornstein” by Francis Wilkinson for BloombergView

Lobbying

California: “California Doctors’ Lobby Group Pushes Agenda with Swagger” by Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee

Campaign Finance

Washington: “Seattle Council Candidate Alleges Political Shakedown by Developer” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Ethics

“While at State, Clinton Chief of Staff Held Job Negotiating with Abu Dhabi” by Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

“Trial Begins for Veterans of 2012 Ron Paul Campaign” by David Weigel for Washington Post

New York: “A Guide to What the JCOPE Review Commission Will Be Looking At” by Bill Mahoney for Capital New York

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Legislature Spent $2.8M on Criminal Lawyers over 4 Years” by Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) for Allentown Morning Call

Wisconsin: “Lawmakers clash on GOP elections, campaign finance bills as they speed toward passage” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Elections

“The GOP Sinks Deeper into Chaos. Can It Still Function as a Party?” by Karen Tumulty for Washington Post

“In Choreographed Campaigns, Candidates Stumble Over Choice of Music” by Ben Sisario for New York Times

Wyoming: “Wyoming’s Chief Election Officer Steps Down, Citing ‘Philosophical Differences’ with Newly Elected Secretary of State” by Trevor Brown for Wyoming Tribune

Lobbying

Alabama: “Jarrod Massey: Looking for a second chance after prison in bingo case” by Charles Dean for AL.com

Florida: “City Council President Proposes Cellphone Ban during Meetings; Citizens Group Plans to File Lawsuit” by Christopher Hong for Florida Times Union

Campaign Finance

“The Families Funding the 2016 Presidential Election” by Nicholas Confessore, Sarah Cohen, and Karen Yourish for New York Times

“Nonprofit Masks Source of Ads Backing Rubio” by Jonathan Martin and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Wisconsin: “GOP Proposal Rewrites State’s Campaign Finance Laws” by Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

Connecticut: “In Hartford, Case of Treasurer Adam Cloud Prompts Calls to Strengthen Ethics Code” by Jeff Cohen for WNPR

South Dakota: “Democrats Plan New Push for Ethics Commission over GEAR UP” by James Nord (Associated Press) for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

“How Can an Introvert Like Jeb Bush Get Elected President?” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

Procurement

“Through Executive Orders, Obama Tests Power as Purchaser-in-Chief” by Gregory Korte for USA Today

Redistricting

Florida: “Judge Rejects House, Senate Redistricting Map, Recommends Challengers’ Plan” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

Lobbying

Florida: “Hillsborough to Post Paid Lobbyists’ Visits Online” by Mike Salinero for Tampa Tribune

Pennsylvania: “House Passes Legislation to Increase Lobbying Fines” by Staff for Pennsylvania Business Daily

Campaign Finance

“Experts: John Kasich political ads chart new territory” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

New York: “Advance Group Fined $26k by Schneiderman, Campaign Finance Board” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Council Passes Anti-Pay-to-Play Bill in Wake of FBI Probe” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Ethics

“Corporations Improve Reporting of Political Activity – with Exceptions” by Dave Levinthal and Cady Zuvich for Center for Public Integrity

Illinois: “Former Chicago Public Schools Chief to Plead Guilty to Bribery Scheme” by Jason Meisner and Juan Perez, Jr. for Chicago Tribune

New York: “Three Cuomo-Tied Hires Spark JCOPE Board Unrest” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ohio: “Ginther among Those Being Investigated Over Trip to Big Ten Title Game” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Legislative Issues

“House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Drops Out of Race for House Speaker” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

“Group Tries to Teach Lawmakers How to Talk about Pot” by Evan Halper for Los Angeles Times

California: “California’s High Court Appears Ready to Allow Voters to Weigh in on Citizens United” by Maura Dolan for Los Angeles Times

Lobbying

“Big Pharma Braces for 2016 Assault” by Peter Sullivan for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Is Pro-Bush Super PAC Obscuring Spending?” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

“Cruise Control: D.C. lobbyists pay up for a weekend with Patrick Leahy” by Paul Heintz for Seven Days

California: “More Transparency Coming for Referendums” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune

California: “San Jose Council Makes Sweeping Changes to Election Law” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

Ethics

Alabama: “Ethics Commission: Lawmakers can’t lobby for employers” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

California: “OC Supervisors Bring Ethics Commission a Step Closer to Reality” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

Wisconsin: “GOP Bills Would Hike Contribution Limits, Split GAB into Two Agencies” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“Gallup Gives Up the Horse Race” by Steven Shepard for Politico

Legislative Issues

Minnesota: “Questions Raised about Lack of Public Access to Capitol” by John Croman for KARE

Lobbying

Kentucky: “Kentucky Lawmakers, Lobbyists May Already Be Violating New State Ethics Laws” by Jonathan Meador for Insider Louisville

Campaign Finance

“How Hillary Clinton Kept Her Wealthy Friends Close While at State Department” by Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“Menendez’s Defense Relies on Odd Twist” by Salvador Rizzo for Bergen Record

California: “Regulators Propose Rules to Prevent Illegal Coordination” by Judy Lin (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Virginia: “Ex-Treasurer for Va. Senate Minority Leader is Accused of Stealing from Him” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Ethics

“Donald Trump’s Candidacy Raises Novel Ethics Questions” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

Florida: “North Miami Senior High’s Night-School Principal Arrested on Corruption Charges” by David Ovalle for Miami Herald

Elections

“The Man Who Launched the GOP’s Civil War” by Jonathan Katz for Politico

Legislative Issues

North Carolina: “Legislature’s Last-Minute Rush Prompts Criticism” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer

Lobbying

Kansas: “Lobbyists Spend $500,000 on Food, Drink for Kansas Lawmakers” by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

Ohio: “Redlight Camera Lobbyist Agrees to Plead to Extortion, Releases Statement” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“At End of Fundraising Quarter, O’Malley Seeks to Lessen Role of Money in Politics” by John Wagner for Washington Post

Connecticut: “Court Fight Heats Up Over Subpoena of Democrats’ Emails about Malloy’s Campaign” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant

Maine: “A Wary Ethics Panel Sends Campaign Spending Proposal to Legislature” by Steve Mistler for Portland Press Herald

New Mexico: “New Corruption Fine Could Be Applied to Duran Case” by Deborah Baker for Albuquerque Journal

North Carolina: “Advisory Letter Could Permit Bigger Role for Outside Groups in NC Elections” by Mark Binker for WRAL

West Virginia: “Bobby Harrell Says He Won’t Immediately Pay Ethics Order” by Schuyler Kropf for Charleston Post & Courier

Ethics

New Jersey: “Christie’s DOT Chief Steps Down” by Shawn Boberg and Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record

Elections

“Pithy, Mean and Powerful: How Donald Trump mastered Twitter for 2016” by Michael Barbaro for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Mississippi: “Mississippi Campaign Finance Laws Allow Golden Parachute for Politicians” by Steve Wilson for Mississippi Watchdog

New Mexico: “AG: Office’s legal counsel off-limits to secretary of state” by Steve Terrell for Santa Fe New Mexican

Ethics

Alabama: “GOP Lawmaker Challenges Hubbard for Alabama House Speaker” by Kyle Whitmire for AL.com

Georgia: “Investigators’ Report Finds ‘Appalling Corruption’ in DeKalb, Calls on CEO to Resign” by David Allison for Atlanta Business Chronicle

Michigan: “Rep. Tinsley-Talabi Linked to Detroit Corruption Case” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

Elections

“How Bernie Sanders Would Transform the Nation” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

North Carolina: “NC Primaries Officially on March 15 with Signing” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer

National:

Outside Groups Playing Bigger Role in 2015 State Elections
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte and Ashley Balcerzak | Published: 10/1/2015

Independent groups are playing a much larger role in state elections than a year ago, shows a Center for Public Integrity analysis of television advertising data. Though this year’s races are often drowned out by the hyperbole surrounding the 2016 presidential candidates, the growing role of independent political groups in state races tells a broader tale of their influence up and down the ballot, from governors’ races to state senate elections. With outside organizations playing a larger role in state elections, voters may not know who is behind the most vitriolic ads they see. Some of the groups do not have to disclose their donors, and some use alternate names that obscure their identities.

When Lobbyists Collide
Politico – James Panichi | Published: 9/25/2015

There is the perception that European lobbyists are as subtle and sophisticated as their American counterparts are brash and willing to step on toes to achieve their goals. But some experts say any real differences in the approaches are overstated and often easily overcome. What has long been billed as a clash of civilizations may simply be the result of smart professional adapting to different institutional ecosystems.

Federal:

Big Donors Seek Larger Roles in Presidential Campaigns
New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 9/29/2015

In an election cycle that is already on track to break spending records, and with few limits on contributions to super PACs and other outside groups, wealthy donors have never been more important. No longer satisfied with sitting on the sidelines and writing big checks, many of them are eager to play larger roles in the campaigns. They expect their views to be heard quickly and their concerns taken seriously, sometimes creating headaches and potential awkwardness for the campaigns and super PACs, which must tend to the contributors and their seemingly endless suggestions and questions.

FEC Employees: A bedraggled lot
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 9/28/2015

A survey showed FEC employees, a generally unhappy lot for years, are even more unsatisfied with their jobs than before. The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey’s satisfaction index places the agency near the bottom of 41 small agencies ranked. Three rank-and-file FEC employees interviewed told a similar story about agency morale: that it is bad and getting worse. The staffers’ primary complaint is that FEC employees often do not feel as if their work is valued by agency leaders, if it is acknowledged at all. Just 32 percent of employees responding to the survey said they were satisfied with the agency as an organization. Even fewer, 30 percent, said they would recommend people work there. The FEC fared marginally better in terms of employee pay satisfaction and personal job satisfaction.

House Speaker John Boehner to Resign at End of October
Washington Post – Mike DeBonis and Paul Kane | Published: 9/25/2015

House Speaker John Boehner will resign from Congress at the end of October. He has struggled from almost the moment he took the speaker’s gavel in 2011 to manage the challenges of divided government and to hold together his fractious and increasingly conservative Republican members. Most recently, Boehner was trying to craft a solution to keep the government open through the rest of the year, but was under pressure from a growing base of conservatives who told him that they would not vote for a bill that did not defund Planned Parenthood. Several of those members were on a path to remove Boehner as speaker, though their ability to do so was far from certain.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Gun Discounts for LAPD Unit May Have Violated Ethics Rules
Los Angeles Times – Kate Mather | Published: 9/25/2015

Los Angeles police officers in a unit that evaluated Smith & Wesson handguns for a new department contract used their relationship with the company to privately purchase discounted pistols for members of the unit, a possible violation of city ethics rules. Although the unit’s officers were allowed to purchase various pistol models and calibers, the report found that the average discount for Smith & Wesson M&P 9-millimeter handguns was about $125 to $130 off the already reduced price of $455 usually offered to law enforcement officers. Ethics rules prohibit city employees from trying “to create or attempt to create a private advantage or disadvantage, financial or otherwise, for any person.” In addition, employees who are required to file statements of economic interest are not allowed to solicit gifts or accept gifts of more than $100 from a “restricted source.”

Indiana – Indiana Rep. Jud McMillin Resigns after Sex Video Emerges
USA Today – Tony Cook and Chelsea Schneider (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 9/30/2015

House Majority Leader Jud McMillin abruptly resigned after a sexually explicit video was sent via text message from his cellphone. It is unclear who sent the text or how broadly it was distributed. McMillin had texted multiple people stating that his cellphone had been stolen and apologizing for messages they may have received from his number. It is the second sex-related scandal to rock the Indiana House this year. Rep. Justin Moed apologized earlier this year after a website exposed his sexting activities with Sydney Leathers, the woman at the center of the Anthony Weiner scandal.

Iowa – Judge Upholds Iowa Rule on Corporate Spending in Campaigns
Quad City Times; Associated Press –   | Published: 9/29/2015

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt upheld an Iowa law that requires the boards of corporations and labor unions to approve any money they spend to influence elections. Pratt ruled the requirement does not violate the right to free association or illegally restrain speech. He said it ensures the integrity of the political system by letting the public know the spending is backed by the group and not “just an individual with access” to its bank account.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Public Official Financial Records Obscured by State Law
MassLive – Dan Glaun | Published: 9/25/2015

While Massachusetts lawmakers, state officials, and other policy-makers are required to report the details of their property and financial holdings each year, the public does not have ready access to those disclosures. The state’s ethics law includes a quirk that can deter access to what are records designed to inform the public: all requests must be accompanied by personal identification and are forwarded to the official whose finances are being inspected. In practice, this means sending the State Ethics Commission individual forms for each statement, along with a copy of the requester’s license. It also means no online access to the statements, and no access whatsoever for residents unwilling to alert their representatives to their curiosity into those officials’ personal finances.

Michigan – Are State Lawmakers Running on Your Dime? Courser, Gamrat Staffs Weren’t the Only Ones Blurring That Line
MLive – Emily Lawler | Published: 9/29/2015

State law, supervisors, and Michigan House rules ask staffers to walk a fine line between official and political business. But it is a line that sometimes blurs. It is not unusual for staff members to serve an official, state-paid role while doing campaign work like knocking doors after hours, or clocking out for a few minutes to do a political task during normal House business hours, according to interviews with former employees. There are also House staffers who run substantial side businesses, collecting a state salary but doing thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of political business.

New Jersey – Tangled Web Surrounds United’s Aborted Atlantic City Routes
New York Times; Associated Press –   | Published: 9/27/2015

Desperate to draw visitors to Atlantic City, New Jersey officials gave United Airlines more than $100,000 in incentives to fly to the seaside resort for at least a year. Then, when United abruptly canceled the money-losing routes eight months later, the officials appointed by Gov. Chris Christie decided not to enforce a contract provision that required the airline to repay the money. The Atlantic City flights and the debt forgiveness are just two elements of the tangled relationships between the Christie administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and United Airlines – New Jersey’s eighth-largest employer. For instance, it was a public agency headed by Christie’s Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox, a former United lobbyist, that forgave the airline’s debt.

New York – Power in Money: When is lobbying in N.Y. not lobbying?
Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin – Joseph Spector | Published: 9/27/2015

As lobbying spending in New York increased from $144 million in 2005 to $226 million in 2015, so too has the sophistication of the campaigns. No longer is the key to success solely hiring a lobbying firm to stroll the hallways trying to drum up votes. It requires a broad media strategy to win over lawmakers in their districts and in Albany. A review of records shows public-relations firms have collected more than $3 million since 2010 from political campaigns and then worked on efforts to promote key issues before the Legislature through coordinated lobbying efforts. PR firms that can offer a cache of services to public officials and private companies are the new frontier, and state laws have yet to keep up.

New York – U.S. Investigating Contract Awards in Buffalo Turnaround Project
New York Times – Susanne Craig, William Rashbaum, and Thomas Kaplan | Published: 9/27/2015

Federal investigators subpoenaed the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and Empire State Development in a probe of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s program to revitalize Buffalo’s economy. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara’s office has been examining how the government-funded projects were awarded, and whether state elected officials played a role in choosing who would benefit from the major infusion of funds. SUNY Polytechnic Institute has played a central role in administering the governor’s effort and Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency, is providing funding for the program.

North Carolina – NC Primaries Officially on March 15 with Signing

Raleigh News & Observer – Gary Robertson (Associated Press) | Published: 9/30/2015

North Carolina will hold its primary elections on March 15 next year under a bill signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory. The new law allows state House and Senate caucuses to create “affiliated party committees” that can raise money to support legislative candidates without going through the state party operations. Supplemental legislation approved by lawmakers makes clear the caucus committees could only spend money to support House or Senate candidates, depending on the group. The measure also allows the creation of similar affiliated committees jointly held by members of the Council of State from the same party. Council members include the governor, lieutenant governor, and other statewide elected officials. None of the groups could raise money from lobbyists during the legislative sessions.

South Carolina – Capitol Gains: SC politicians use office to pad pockets
Center for Public Integrity – Tony Bartelme and Rachel Baye | Published: 9/25/2015

An investigation found South Carolina lawmakers and candidates used campaign accounts, reimbursements from state government, and gifts from special interests to pay for car repairs, football tickets, male-enhancement pills, and other questionable items. The inner workings of this cash network typically remain hidden unless prosecutors subpoena questionable receipts and other evidence locked away from public view, as happened in the case of former House Speaker Bobby Harrell. His conviction for misusing campaign money to pay for his private plane left many in the capital wondering whether other lawmakers would be charged. At least one active criminal investigation is underway, and a handful of legislators have been mentioned in a State Law Enforcement Division report.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Contributions Helped GOP Win House In 2014” by Sandra Fish (New Mexico in Depth) for KRWG

Texas: “Building Professionals Distraught Over Proposed City Lobbying Changes” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor

Campaign Finance

New York: “Carly Fiorina’s ‘Super PAC’ Aids Her Campaign, in Plain Sight” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Iowa: “Judge Upholds Iowa Rule on Corporate Spending in Campaigns” by Quad City Times; Associated Press

Ethics

New York: “Some Counts Dismissed in Indictment of Robert Menendez” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

California “California Lawmaker Turns ‘Juice’ into Campaign Cash” by Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters) for San Francisco Chronicle

Connecticut: “Treasurer’s Soliciting Donations from Contractors Questioned” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant

Indiana: “Indiana Rep. Jud McMillin Resigns after Sex Video Emerges” by Tony Cook and Chelsea Schneider (Indianapolis Star) for USA Today

Michigan: “Ex-Cop Gets Almost 5 Years in Prison in Pension Scandal” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

Minnesota: “State Grants for Bus Firms Raise Conflict-of-Interest Questions for MnDOT Commissioner” by Ricardo Lopez for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Hillary Clinton Reaches Deal with Democratic Party on Fundraising” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

California: “L.A. Wants More Details about Business Groups That Donate to City Campaigns” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “GOP Strategist George Gallo Sentenced To Year in Prison in Political Kickback Scheme” by Edmund Mahoney for Hartford Courant

Ethics

“Ethics Battle Still Brewing Over Azerbaijan Travel” by Hannah Hess for Roll Call

Arizona: “Top Arizona Utility Regulator Faces Conflict Complaints” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Colorado: “Denver Ethics Board Floats Reforms Aimed at Boosting Public Confidence” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Pennsylvania: “Bethlehem Mayor Issues Policy That Bans Gifts” by Nicole Radzievich for Allentown Morning Call

Procurement

“Business Leaders Mount Effort to Beat Back Contractor ‘Blacklisting’ Rule” by Lydia Wheeler for The Hill

Elections

“Since President Obama Took Office, 85 of 98 State Legislative Bodies Got More Republican” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Meet the Liberals Who Love Trump” by Ben Wofford for Politico

New York: “State Elections Watchdog Files Lawsuit against ‘LLC Loophole’” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

“Prosecutors Rebuke Menendez Over Request to Dismiss His Corruption Case” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

“The Net Worth of Presidential Candidates” by Thomas Frohlich, Michael Sauter, and Sam Stebbins (24/7 Wall St.) for USA Today

Missouri: “Missouri Lags behind Neighbors on Ethics Laws” by John Swedien for Springfield News-Leader

New York: “Reform Groups Have High Hopes for Ethics Review Panel” by Karen DeWitt for WXXI

Ohio: “Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman under Ethics Investigation Related to Contracts with Wife’s Employer” by Leila Atassi (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Virginia: “Legislators’ Names Appear in Hacked Ashley Madison Data” by Markus Schmidt and John Ramsey for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Maybe This Time Really Is Different” by Norm Ornstein for The Atlantic