October 28, 2014 •
Toronto’s Rob Ford Wins Again
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford won another election last night in Toronto, albeit for the Ward 2 City Council seat he occupied before becoming mayor. The incumbent mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, lost his own bid to be the next mayor of […]
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford won another election last night in Toronto, albeit for the Ward 2 City Council seat he occupied before becoming mayor. The incumbent mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, lost his own bid to be the next mayor of the city against John Tory, the Progressive Conservative candidate.
According to CBC News Toronto, Rob Ford, who withdrew from the mayoral race earlier this year due to illness, said, “I can assure you, I’ll be taking care of my health and I’ll be taking care of the people in Etobicoke North and I’ll continue to take care of every taxpayer in this city, like I always have.”
Photo of Rob Ford by West Annex News on Wikimedia Commons.
October 27, 2014 •
South Carolina Election Continues With(out) Harrell
No special election will be held to replace former House Speaker Bobby Harrell in House District 114. Harrell, who recently pleaded guilty to ethics violations, will remain on the November 4 ballot, but will not be eligible to win the […]
No special election will be held to replace former House Speaker Bobby Harrell in House District 114. Harrell, who recently pleaded guilty to ethics violations, will remain on the November 4 ballot, but will not be eligible to win the election.
The plea agreement requires Harrell to resign, not seek office for three years, and cooperate in other investigations. The race for House District 114 will be decided between Democrat Mary Tinkler and Green Party nominee Sue Edward.
October 24, 2014 •
DC Election for Attorney General to Be Held Nov. 4
Washington, D.C. voters will elect their attorney general for the first time on November 4, 2014. Up until this year, the attorney general has been appointed by the mayor. In 2010, voters approved a charter amendment authorizing the first election […]
Washington, D.C. voters will elect their attorney general for the first time on November 4, 2014. Up until this year, the attorney general has been appointed by the mayor.
In 2010, voters approved a charter amendment authorizing the first election of the city’s attorney general and setting a primary election for April 2014. In late 2013, the council passed a law delaying the election from 2014 to 2018, fearing the city lacked the necessary preparation.
Paul Zukerberg, a candidate for attorney general, challenged the 2013 law in court. In June 2014, the Court of Appeals ruled an election must be held in 2014 unless it would not be practically possible for the D.C. Board of Elections to do so.
Following a directive by the Court of Appeals to set a date for the election, the D.C. Superior Court decided the election will be held on November 4, 2014, the same day as the mayoral election.
October 22, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobby Firms Beat the Midterm Blues” by Megan Wilson for The Hill. “Legislators’ Trips Abroad Apparently Above Board” by Tess Townsend for New London Day. Campaign Finance “Record Public Financing Amounts Awarded to Candidates” by Gregory Hladky for Hartford […]
Lobbying
“Lobby Firms Beat the Midterm Blues” by Megan Wilson for The Hill.
“Legislators’ Trips Abroad Apparently Above Board” by Tess Townsend for New London Day.
Campaign Finance
“Record Public Financing Amounts Awarded to Candidates” by Gregory Hladky for Hartford Courant.
“Donors Use Loophole to Pour Money into Governor’s Race” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post & Courier.
“Campaign Coordination Suit Filed in a Way to Get Favorable Judge” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Ethics
“Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard Indicted” by Brian Lyman (Montgomery Advertiser) for USA Today.
“Legislators Need Stricter Disclosure Rules, Advocate Tells Panel” for Indianapolis Business Journal; Staff
“In William Galvin’s Contracts, Little Public Process” by Waltyer Robinson for Boston Globe.
Elections
“Health Scare in Texas Also Sends Political Ripples” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times.
“Supreme Court Allows Texas to Use Voter ID Law” by Adam Liptak for New York Times.
Political Advertising
“Environmental Issues Become a Force in Political Advertising” by Coral Davenport and Ashley Parker for New York Times.
October 21, 2014 •
South Carolina Parties Agree on Constitutional Amendment
A constitutional amendment on the November ballot to allow the adjutant general to be appointed has the support of both the Republican and Democratic parties. The adjutant general oversees the state’s National Guard and is currently an elected position held […]
A constitutional amendment on the November ballot to allow the adjutant general to be appointed has the support of both the Republican and Democratic parties. The adjutant general oversees the state’s National Guard and is currently an elected position held by Bob Livingston, an Army major general.
The parties have jointly launched “Troops Leading Troops,” a social media project encouraging voters to support the amendment.
The adjutant general position will be appointed by the governor beginning in January 2019, if the amendment passes. Party leaders believe the measure would take politics out of choosing the adjutant general and ensure officeholders are adequately qualified.
October 16, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Aereo registers lobbyist as it seeks new classification” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill. Arizona: “Arizona attorney general candidate faces lobbying complaint” by Phil Villarreal on KGUN ABC News. New Jersey: “N.J. lawmakers considering restricting lobbyists working for state” […]
Lobbying
“Aereo registers lobbyist as it seeks new classification” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.
Arizona: “Arizona attorney general candidate faces lobbying complaint” by Phil Villarreal on KGUN ABC News.
New Jersey: “N.J. lawmakers considering restricting lobbyists working for state” by John Reitmeyer in The Record.
Campaign Finance
“Senate Races: Where Outside Groups Spend Their Money” by Derek Willis in The New York Times.
“Anti-big money super PAC reels in big money” by Kenneth P. Vogel in Politico.
“Is Buying Influence a Right?” by David Earley in the Brennan Center for Justice Blog.
“Courting Corruption: The Auctioning of the Judicial System” by Norm Ornstein in The Atlantic.
“New Koch brothers PAC the biggest fundraiser of Q3” by Kathy Kiely, Peter Olsen-Phillips and Jacob Fenton on the Sunlight Foundation Blog.
Arizona: “Clean Elections boss says it appears schools chief John Huppenthal broke campaign finance laws” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) in The Republic.
California: “CalPERS board member stripped of leadership posts for campaign finance infractions” by Dale Kasler in The Sacramento Bee.
Illinois: “Governor race shattering campaign finance records” by Sara Burnett (Associated Press) in the Sun Herald.
Minnesota: “Fundraising-palooza: The latest on MN campaign money” by Brett Neely in Minnesota Public Radio’s Capitol View.
Missouri: “Ex-Missouri Gov. Blunt ends campaign committee” by The Associated Press in The Telegraph.
Oregon: “Michael Bloomberg gives $1.25M to Oregon’s ‘top two’ primary campaign” by The Associated Press on KATU.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: “Phila. Ethics Board tightens campaign-finance rules” by Chris Hepp in The Inquirer.
Ethics
Georgia: “Ga. auditor slams state ethics commission” by The Associated Press in The Telegraph.
State Legislatures
“Two lawmakers involved in shoot-out with robbers near Capitol” by Amy Worden and Allison Steele in The Inquirer.
Elections
“Supreme Court leaves its mark on the midterms” by Josh Gerstein in Politico.
“Courts Are Ruling on Voting Laws – Here’s Where They Stand” by Phil Mattingly in Bloomberg Politics.
“Battle of wits over Senate 2014 map” by James Hohmann in Politico.
Arkansas: “Arkansas’ Voter ID Law Struck Down Amid Confusion in Texas” by Lauren Raab in Governing.
Ohio: “Jerry Springer hits the road for Ohio candidate” by Ann Sanner (Associated Press) on Cincinnati.com.
Texas: “Meet Sam Houston, the Democrat Running a Lonely Campaign for Texas Attorney General” by Jay Root in Governing.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Democrats Try Moderation to Fight Gov. Scott Walker” by David Lauter in Governing.
Tech and Social Media
“Nonprofit Long Distance Voter Helped Provide Data for Google Voting Search Feature” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.
“Digital.NYC Launches to Spur Innovation and Economic Growth” by Hilton Collins in Government Technology.
“Accela Extends Platform with Government Outreach Acquisition” in Government Technology.
Tennessee: “Tennessee Releases App in Time for the Start of Early Voting” by Richard Locker in Government Technology.
October 15, 2014 •
Marion Superior Judge Selection Ruled Unconstitutional
A federal judge in Indianapolis ruled the statute delineating how Marion Superior judges are elected is unconstitutional. The election of Marion Superior judges is unique, as Republican and Democratic parties may nominate up to half of the open positions. Furthermore, […]
A federal judge in Indianapolis ruled the statute delineating how Marion Superior judges are elected is unconstitutional. The election of Marion Superior judges is unique, as Republican and Democratic parties may nominate up to half of the open positions.
Furthermore, once a judge wins in the primary, he or she will automatically be elected in the general because there are as many candidates as there are open seats. Because primaries are restricted to the two major parties, only those eligible to vote in the primary elections are able to cast meaningful votes for the open judgeships, and those who do not declare a party have no say in the election of the judges.
The court found the statute severely burdens the right to vote. The ruling is stayed and will not affect next month’s election.
October 15, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “Will All the GOP Lobbyists Please Stand Up?” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call. Alabama: “Powerful Alabama teacher lobbyist Paul Hubbert dies” by The Associated Press in The News Courier. Campaign Finance “Goldwater would […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Will All the GOP Lobbyists Please Stand Up?” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Alabama: “Powerful Alabama teacher lobbyist Paul Hubbert dies” by The Associated Press in The News Courier.
Campaign Finance
“Goldwater would have hated ‘Citizens United’” opinion piece by Ron Fein in The Washington Post.
“Renewal of the establishment, fueled by money” by Heath Brown in The Hill.
Colorado: “Citizens United can make movie without disclosing donors, court says” by Joey Bunch in the Denver Post.
Kentucky: “Pro-Grimes super PAC money also from out-of-state” by Tom Loftus in The Courier-Journal.
Maine: “State senator from Sanford used PAC money to pay himself and family $17,000” by Naomi Schalit in the Portland Press Herald.
Ethics
“FEC Rulemakings Roil Agency, Critics | Rules of the Game” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Michigan: “Terri Lynn Land held state meetings at family business” by John Bresnahan in Politico.
Missouri: “Ethics complaint filed over lobbyist gifts to Missouri lawmakers” by Jason Hancock in the Kansas City Star.
North Carolina: “Former Charlotte Mayor Sentenced to Nearly 4 Years in Prison” by Michael Gordon in Governing.
Washington: “No more free lunch: Washington sets limits on how often lobbyists can ply lawmakers” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.
Congress
“Laws plummet in post-earmark era” by Niki Papadogiannakis in The Hill.
Elections
“Four Republicans look to make comebacks” by Cristina Marcos in The Hill.
Colorado: “As Midterms Approach, Colorado Stands Out in Expanding Access” by Jonathan Brater in the Brennan Center for Justice Blog.
Tech and Social Media
“Twitter’s Most Popular Congressional Staffer Gets New Title” by Niels Lesniewski in Roll Call.
October 14, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying UK: “Charities must record when employees use Twitter to campaign, Electoral Commission says” by Emily Corfe in Civil Society. Campaign Finance “Campaign Finance 40 Years Later” in The New York Times’ Room for Debate. “Koch donors uncloaked” by Kenneth […]
Lobbying
UK: “Charities must record when employees use Twitter to campaign, Electoral Commission says” by Emily Corfe in Civil Society.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance 40 Years Later” in The New York Times’ Room for Debate.
“Koch donors uncloaked” by Kenneth P. Vogel and Mike Allen in Politico.
New Mexico: “Once again, it’s campaign finance day (officially at least)” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Ethics
Nevada: “Nevada gov’t ethics commission seeks new policies” by Emerson Marcus in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
New York: “Wrapped up in gift rules” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.
Ohio: “State ethics watchdog tracks 1,600 lobbyists’ activity and spending” by TC Brown in Columbus CEO.
Oregon: “Gov. Kitzhaber asks ethics commission to review fiancee’s contracts” by Anna Staver in the Statesman Journal.
West Virginia: “West Virginia Ethics Commission committee interviews candidates for executive director’s job” by The Associated Press in the Daily Journal.
Elections
“Who to watch in House Class of 2014” by Alex Isenstadt in Politico.
“Why Republicans Must Win the Senate in 2014” by Stuart Rothenberg in Roll Call.
Tech and Social Media
“States Ascend Into the Cloud” by Jeffrey Stinson in Stateline.
“Follow the Money…” by Emily Jarvis in Govloop.
October 13, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Congressman presses Holder for review of think tank funding” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Burger King hires former members of Congress to work on inversion deal” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. Pennsylvania: “Threatened with Pa. […]
Lobbying
“Congressman presses Holder for review of think tank funding” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Burger King hires former members of Congress to work on inversion deal” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Pennsylvania: “Threatened with Pa. fee increase, lobbyists go to work” by Mary Wilson in NewsWorks.
Rhode Island: “R.I. Supreme Court denies request by 38 Studios defendant Wells Fargo” by Paul Grimaldi in the Providence Journal.
Campaign Finance
“FEC votes suggest gridlock is easing” by Byron Tau and Kyle Cheney in Politico.
“In the Senate, campaign finance is the new flag burning” by Gayle Trotter in The Hill.
“Midterm Voters Drown in Dark Money” by Albert R. Hunt in Bloomberg.
“Ads Paid for by Secret Money Flood the Midterm Elections” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“Dark money threatens democracy” by Robert Maguire in The Hill’s Congress Blog.
Arkansas: “Some Arkansas candidates talk of limiting outside groups” by John Lyon in Arkansas News.
Ethics
Ohio: “Kasich appoints retired judge to state commission” on WKBN.
Oklahoma: “Financial interests of state officers will not be put online, Ethics Commission says” by Barbara Hoberock in Tulsa World.
Elections
“2014 Ballot Measures That Matter Most for States and Localities” in Governing.
“11 questions that will decide the Senate” by James Hohmann in Politico.
“Dems: Don’t trust the polls” by Niall Stanage in The Hill.
“Courts Strike Down Voter ID Laws in Wisconsin and Texas” by Adam Liptak in The New York Times.
Colorado: “Centrism Hurting Once-Popular Gov. Hickenlooper’s Re-Election Hopes” by Alan Greenblatt in Governing.
Georgia: “Georgia Uses Big Data to Get Out the Vote” by Daniel Malloy and Kristina Torres in Governing.
Michigan: “As election nears, big names stump for state candidates” by Chris Gautz in Crain’s Detroit Business.
Redistricting
“Things to know about political mapmaking in Ohio” by Ann Sanner (Associated Press) in the Daily Journal.
Political Advertising
“Campaigns Find Ad Space Finite, Even on the Web” by Ashley Parker in The New York Times.
October 9, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Leaner lobbying” by Tory Newmyer and Scott DeCarlo in Fortune. “These 3 Corporations Have Spent the Most on Lobbying Since Obama Took Office” by Tess VendenDolder in InTheCapital. Missouri: “Lobbyists give different stories to Missouri Ethics Commission” by The […]
Lobbying
“Leaner lobbying” by Tory Newmyer and Scott DeCarlo in Fortune.
“These 3 Corporations Have Spent the Most on Lobbying Since Obama Took Office” by Tess VendenDolder in InTheCapital.
Missouri: “Lobbyists give different stories to Missouri Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press in KBIA.
Ohio: “Large Ohio manufacturing employers form lobbying group” by Dan Gearino and Jim Siegel in The Columbus Dispatch.
Campaign Finance
“Dark money still a bit player” by Luke Wachob in The Hill.
“Political parties seek extra donor dollars after cancellation of federal money for political conventions” by Sabrina Eaton in The Plain Dealer.
Connecticut: “GOP accuses Kennedy of campaign finance violation” by Mark Pazniokas in The CT Mirror.
Florida: “How Campaign Finance Laws Make Florida Governor’s Race Unique” by Gina Jordan on WLRN.
Kansas: “In Kansas, funding of TV ads is one big mystery” by Philip Elliott (Associated Press) in the Chicago Sun-Times.
New Hampshire: “AG: Union broke campaign finance rules in donation to Hassan, must submit documentation” by Casey McDermott in the Concord Monitor.
Ethics
Maine: “Ethics commission to meet Friday on dueling complaints in Maine governor’s race” by Mike Russell in the Portland Press Herald.
Ohio: “JobsOhio appeared to avoid potential conflicts” by Randy Ludlow in The Columbus Dispatch.
South Carolina: “Reform advocate suggests abolishing SC ethics laws” by Cassie Cope in The State.
Virginia: “Virginia commission’s consideration of two-term governor ‘has nothing to do with ethics’” by Kathryn Watson in Watchdog.org.
Elections
“Court Decisions on Voting Rules Sow Confusion in State Races” by Trip Gabriel in The New York Times.
“Study: Voter ID laws hit minorities” by The Associated Press in Politico.
“Red or Blue, Politics Doesn’t Predict Where Women Win” by Louis Jacobson in Governing.
North Carolina: “U.S. Supreme Court Upholds North Carolina’s Limits on Voting” by Anne Blythe in Governing.
Texas: “Texas Elections Don’t Have Many Debates” by Aman Batheja (Texas Tribune) in Governing.
October 8, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. Oregon: “Former advisers for Sen. Ron Wyden launch new lobbying firm” by Matthew Kish in the Portland Business Journal. “K Street Rundown: Chamber of Commerce Courts NASCAR, GPG Loses Big Clients and Iraq Wants […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
Oregon: “Former advisers for Sen. Ron Wyden launch new lobbying firm” by Matthew Kish in the Portland Business Journal.
“K Street Rundown: Chamber of Commerce Courts NASCAR, GPG Loses Big Clients and Iraq Wants a National Guard” by Tess VandenDolder in InTheCapital.
Campaign Finance
“DCCC and NRCC drive outside spending in the House” by Peter Olsen-Phillips in the Sunlight Foundation Blog.
Connecticut: “GOP Legislators Accuse Dems Of Misusing Campaign Money” by The Associated Press in CBS Connecticut.
New York: “331 big donors boosting Cuomo” by Matthew Hamilton in the Times Union.
Ohio: “Former Josh Mandel aide, now a Super PAC guru, is setting up new, secretive groups” by Stephen Koff in The Plain Dealer.
Rhode Island: “R.I. campaign finance reports for past month trickling in” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.
Elections
“6 Gubernatorial Races With Potential Congressional Consequences” by Bridget Bowman in Roll Call.
“For McConnell, it’s now or never” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
Massachusetts: “Why Massachusetts Might Elect Another Republican Governor” by Alan Greenblatt in in Governing.
State Legislatures
New Jersey: “N.J. lawmaker tries to limit new bills … by introducing a new bill” by Matt Friedman on NJ.com.
Redistricting
Virginia: “Court Tosses Virginia Congressional Map (Updated)” by Bridget Bowman in Roll Call.
October 7, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Lobbyists try to save Roberts” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill. “Facebook lobbyist chief promoted to global policy head” by Julian Hattem in The Hill. Campaign Finance “Rogue donors not ready for Hillary?” by Kenneth P. Vogel in Politico. […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists try to save Roberts” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
“Facebook lobbyist chief promoted to global policy head” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Rogue donors not ready for Hillary?” by Kenneth P. Vogel in Politico.
California: “CalPERS board member now facing $4,000 fine over campaign disclosure problems” by Dale Kasler in the Fresno Bee.
California: “Fine proposed for laundering contributions to Ed Lee’s campaign” by John Coté in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Maryland: “Md. candidate pays penalty over campaign funds” by The Associated Press on WHTM ABC News.
South Dakota: “Unlikely South Dakota Senate Race Attracts Big Money From Campaign Finance Reformers” by Paul Blumenthal and Sam Levine in The Huffington Post.
Wisconsin: “The Right Takes on WI Campaign-Finance Law” by Rose Bouboushian in Courthouse News Service.
Ethics
Missouri: “Gifts to Missouri lawmakers are not always easy to track” by Jason Hancock in The Kansas City Star.
Nevada: “NV Ethics Commission Director Resigns” by Jay Bartos on KNPR News.
North Carolina: “Kay Hagan, Thom Tillis file rival ethics complaints” by Burgess Everett in Politico.
Elections
“How Asian-Americans are Changing the South” by Jake Grovum in Stateline.
Kansas: “Sam Brownback Has Made Enemies, May Lose Election” by Alan Greenblatt in Governing.
State Legislatures
New Jersey: “N.J. lawmaker tries to limit new bills … by introducing a new bill” by Matt Friedman on NJ.com.
Redistricting
Alabama: “Supreme Court’s new session could bring decisions on huge issues” by Irin Carmon and Ned Resnikoff on MSNBC.
South Carolina: “Supreme Court Rejects Appeal On South Carolina Redistricting” by The Associated Press in The Huffington Post.
Tech and Social Media
West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: New computer system experiencing turbulence” by Phil Kabler in The Charleston Gazette.
October 6, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “The lobbying economy is twice as big as we think” by Andrew Prokop in Vox. “Senate aide who helped save Export-Import Bank lands job at agency” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. Campaign Finance “Citizens United: The political […]
Lobbying
“The lobbying economy is twice as big as we think” by Andrew Prokop in Vox.
“Senate aide who helped save Export-Import Bank lands job at agency” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Citizens United: The political landscape almost five years later” by Marianne Hayes in Metro.
Arizona: “‘Dark money’ begins to sully campaigns” editorial in The Republic.
Pennsylvania: “Pittsburgh’s campaign finance law called flawed” by Chris Potter in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Wisconsin: “Why Wisconsin’s Attorney General Won’t Defend The State” by Jacob Stein in Governing.
Ethics
Oklahoma: “Ethics agency stirs anger with complaint moratorium” by Janelle Stecklein in the Muskogee Phoenix.
Palm Beach County, Florida: “Ethics Commission considers adding fines for frivolous complaints” by Andy Reid in the Sun Sentinel.
South Carolina: “2 York County lawmakers named to new SC ethics panel” by Bristow Marchant in the Charlotte Observer.
West Virginia: “Ethics commission to hold training for lobbyists” by The Associated Press in the Washington Times.
Elections
“NBC poll: Good news for Senate Dems” by James Hohmann in Politico.
“Which State Had the Longest Voting Lines in 2012?” by Scott Powers in Governing.
Tech and Social Media
“Social Advocacy and Politics: Social Media and ʹGotchaʹ Politics” by Alan Rosenblatt in Social Media Today.
West Virginia: “WV Supreme Court launching weekly trivia challenge on Twitter Oct. 6” by Linda Harris in The State Journal.
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