Today the Chief Electoral Officer for Ontario, Canada, Greg Essensa, announced the province will hold general elections on June 12, 2014. According to the Elections Ontario’s press release, the candidate nomination period runs from May 15 to May 22. The two blackout periods on political advertising run from May 7 to May 20 and June 10 to Election Day.

The last provincial general election was held on October 6, 2011.

A number of rock, pop, and country music stars have run for political office in the U.S. over the years. Here is a list of who they are, what office they ran for, and whether or not they won.

Sonny Bono – Mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 to 1992. Then won a seat in the federal House of Representatives in 1994. He served until his tragic death in a skiing accident in 1998.

John Hall – John Hall of Orleans, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and served New York’s 19th Congressional District until 2011.

Martha Reeves – Between 2005 and 2009 Reeves served on the Detroit City Council.

Krist Novoselic – The Nirvana bassist nearly ran for lieutenant governor of Washington in 2004, but ultimately backed out. In 2009 he ran for Wahkiakum County Clerk as a member of the fictional Grange Party. It was a protest run designed to show how ludicrous the state’s election laws were, and he dropped out before the election.

Jello Biafra – The Dead Kennedys lead singer ran for mayor of San Francisco in 1979; he came in fourth out of 10 candidates. In 2000 he tried to run for President with the Green party, but Ralph Nader won the nomination.

Justin Jeffre – Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees ran for mayor of Cincinnati in 2005. He only got 708 votes in the primary.

Luther Campbell – In 2011, 2 Live Crew front man Luther Campbell ran for mayor of Miami-Dade County. He didn’t win, but he did get 11 percent of the vote.

Clay Aiken – American Idol’s Clay Aiken is running for Congress in North Carolina’s 2^nd Congressional District.

Todd Phelps – Country musician is currently running for mayor of Austin Texas.

Joe Walsh – Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh has often joked about running for office, announcing a tongue-in-cheek presidential campaign in 1980 and throwing his name in the hat for vice president in 1992.

Sammy Kershaw – In 2010 Kershaw was a candidate for lieutenant governor in the state of Louisiana. It was the second time he had run for the position in his home state. He did it first in 2007, collecting 30 percent of the vote.

Kinky Friedman – In 1986, Friedman ran for Justice of the Peace in Kerrville, Texas, as a Republican but lost the election. In 2004, Friedman began a campaign to become the governor of Texas in 2006. In 2013, he announced his intention to again run for Texas agriculture commissioner as a Democrat, the same position he ran for in 2010 when he lost the Democratic primary.

Thanks to Rolling Stone and Wikipedia among several other news and fan sites for assistance with this list.

The photo of Joe Walsh is courtesy of Steve Alexander on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Ex-lawmaker registers to lobby for Ukrainian businessmen” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Ethics panel won’t move forward on Luis Gutierrez” by John Bresnahan in Politico.

Missouri: “Former governor Matt Blunt now a registered lobbyist” by Kelly Moffitt in the St. Louis Business Journal.

Campaign Finance

California: “Scaled-back campaign finance disclosure bill clears Assembly” by Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times.

New Jersey: “Bill would extend campaign funding” by Maddie Hanna in The Inquirer.

North Carolina: “Big money targets NC elections” by Jon Ostendorff in the Citizen-Times.

Elections

“6 Things to Watch in Tuesday’s Primaries” by Alexis Levinson and Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

“10 Maps That Explain the 2014 Midterms” by Kyle Kondik in Politico Magazine.

“A singer, a speaker: House races to watch” by Alex Isenstadt in Politico.

“The 10 Most Vulnerable Members of 2014” by Shira T. Center, Abby Livingston, and Emily Cahn in Roll Call.

Ethics

“Members of Congress Open Wallets and Pocketbooks” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Government Transparency

New York: “After Pledge of Sunlight, Gov. Cuomo Officials Keep Their Email in the Shadows” by Justin Elliott in ProPublica.

The Dover City Council has set June 17, 2014, as the date of a mayoral special election following the resignation of Mayor Carleton E. Carey, Sr.

Dover’s city charter requires a special election be held no sooner than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the mayor’s office becomes vacant.

Vice Mayor David Bonar will serve as interim mayor until the new leader is chosen. The newly elected mayor will serve the remainder of Carey’s term, which expires on May 11, 2015.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Lobbyists break away to start new firm” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Camp could punch ‘golden ticket’ to K St.” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

European Union: “Politics for People: Demanding Transparent and Ethical Lobbying in the EU” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident.

Campaign Finance

“McCutcheon v. FEC Decision” with Lee Goodman speaking on C-SPAN.

“Outside spending on record-breaking pace” by Domenico Montanaro, Rachel Wellford, and Simone Pathe on PBS NewsHour.

“Study Finds Voluntary Corporate Political Spending Disclosure Lacking” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“McConnell, Priebus differ on cash limits” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.

“Christie advocates end to limits on campaign donations” by Maddie Hanna in The Inquirer.

“5 first-quarter fundraising takeaways” by Byron Tau and Tarini Parti in Politico.

“Potter to speak on campaign-finance law” in News at Princeton.

Ethics

Washington: “Ethics board hears call to end free meals for lawmakers” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.

Elections

“2014 midterms: What’s at stake” by Leigh Ann Caldwell on CNN News.

State Legislatures

“Spring Is Convening While Most Legislatures Are Adjourning” by Angela Andrews in The NCSL Blog.

A special election was held in Quebec on April 7, resulting in a new majority government.

Premier Pauline Marois, leader of the Parti Quebecois, called the election hoping her party would garner a majority of seats within the National Assembly. However, the Liberals took 70 of the 125 seats, giving them a majority of seats in the legislature.

Marois lost her own seat in the Charlevoix-Cote-de-Beaupre riding, causing her to step down as the leader of the Parti Quebecois. Liberal Leader Phillipe Couillard will become the new Premier of Quebec.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

Ottawa, Canada: “City rules allow lobbyists to donate to councillors’ campaigns” by Joanne Chianello in the Ottawa Citizen.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Publishes New Contribution Limits for 2013-2014” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Delaware: “Del. lawmakers eye campaign finance bill” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.

Maine: “Maine rethinking campaign contribution limits after Supreme Court ruling” by Reid Wilson (Washington Post) in the Bangor Daily News.

New York: “NY ethics board tells 4 advocacy groups it won’t shield names of their financial backers” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Ethics

California: “California lawmakers propose reforms to regain public trust after series of scandals” by Fenit Nirappil (Associated Press) in the Daily Bulletin.

Georgia: “Deal proposes overhaul of Ga. ethics commission” by Phillip Lucas (Associated Press) in The Telegraph.

Georgia: “Another lawsuit from ex-ethics staffer is in the works” by Greg Bluestein in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Senate committee approves ban on cash gifts” by Amy Worden in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

From the State Legislatures

California: “State lawmakers’ per diem claims topped $1.1M in 2013” by Nick Heynen and Matthew Defour in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Elections

“Report finds states cutting wait times for voters” by Martha T. Moore in USA Today.

Lobbying

“Former White House lawyer defends Obama limits on lobbying, hints at possible changes” by Holly Yeager in The Washington Post.

“Obama alumni join ranks of ‘unlobbyists’” by Mike Dorning in the Concord Monitor.

“Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Hires Blanche Lincoln” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“House Ethics Reviewing Gutierrez Contract With Illinois Lobbyist” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.

“Putin’s lobbyists escape sanctions” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Connecticut: “Lobbyists command millions from Conn. Industries” by Neil Vigdor in the Stamford Advocate.

Missouri: “Our million-dollar Legislature” opinion piece by State Rep. John Wright in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

“Forget the Dictionary, Super PACs Aren’t New” by Francis Barry in Bloomberg View.

Louisiana: “Feds asked to look into super PAC backing Vitter” in The Advocate.

New York: “Campaign finance reform benefits women” opinion piece by Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Letitia James in The Journal News.

New York: “Business interests against NY public campaign financing want to preserve their influence (Commentary)” by Lawrence Norden in The Post-Standard.

Ethics

Kentucky: “Former state official assessed ethics fine” by The Associated Press in the Bangor Daily News.

New Jersey: “Christie’s campaign treasurer goes to bat for underfunded agency: The Auditor” in The Star Ledger.

Pennsylvania: “Gift ban urged after report of Pa. lawmakers getting cash” by Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

State Legislative Sessions

Idaho: “Idaho Legislature wraps up with pay raises at the top” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.

Virginia: “McAuliffe proposes expanding Medicaid in two-year pilot” by Olympia Meola and Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Elections

Rhode Island: “House speaker candidates courting votes” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

Redistricting

Pennsylvania: “Legislators clash over district boundary changes” by Robert Swift in The Times-Tribune.

Lobbying

“Who says lobbyists can’t win elections?” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Business groups: Don’t go overboard on Russia sanctions” by Doug Palmer, Adam Behsudi, Matthew Korade and Andrew Restuccia in Politico.

Kansas: “House panel studies bill adjusting definition of lobbyist” by Ryan McCarthy in the Topkea Capital-Journal.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Offers Seminar for Corporations and their PACs” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Corporations Can Expect To Pay More For Conventions” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Michigan: “State fines labor union for campaign finance violations” on WBUP NBC 10.

Ethics

Colorado: “Scott Gessler loses appeal over ethics ruling” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Elections

Arizona: “Brewer announces political retirement, won’t seek 3rd term” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Capitol Times.

Texas: “The Big Change in Texas Elections? More Time.” by Jim Malewitz and Shelby Cole in Governing.

Pauline Marois, the premier of Quebec, has called a general election to be held on April 7. Currently, elections in Quebec only take place upon a decree by the premier. Beginning in 2016, elections will have set dates.

When an election is called in Quebec, the legislative assembly dissolves (adjourns) and voters chose an entirely new one. Candidates have 33 days to campaign for the upcoming election.

Since Quebec has a parliamentary system of government, the leader of the party who garners the most assembly seats becomes the premier.

Lobbying

“K Street gears up for Hillary” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Groups Try to Mute the Comcast Lobby | K Street Files” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Louisiana: “Former Jindal aide Rainwater looks to lobbying, consulting” by Michelle Millhollon in The Advocate.

New Jersey: “Lobbying expenditures climbed over $60 million in 2013, report finds” in PolitickerNJ.

Campaign Finance

“New Challenges to Campaign Finance Regulation” opinion piece by David Friedman in The Stanford Daily.

New York: “Women stump for campaign finance reform” by Casey Seiler in the Capitol Confidential.

Wisconsin: “Walker says he’s not focused on Republican bills affecting campaign donations, spending” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Ethics

California: “Senate Democrats proposing revamp of campaign, gift laws” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

Campaigns and Elections

“Thought the Senate map was set?” by Jessica Taylor in The Hill.

“2014 Governors Races: A Look at the Too-Close-to-Call Contests” by Louis Jacobson in Governing.

South Carolina: “Cheers! SC Bill Aims to Lift Booze Ban on Election Day” by Drew MacKenzie in Newsmax.

Procurement

“Bringing Innovation to Procurement” by Justin Brown in Government Technology.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

Kentucky: “Ethics Reporter: First month of session sees one-month record of $1.9 million for lobbyists” by the Kentucky Ethics Commission in KY Forward.

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin senator seeks to allow in-session lobbyist checks” by Patrick Marley in the Journal Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Rauner’s $6 million sets record in Illinois governor race” by Rick Pearson in the Chicago Tribune.

Wisconsin: “State Senators introduce campaign finance legislation” by Andrew Hahn in The Daily Cardinal.

Ethics

“Former FEC General Counsel Retruns to Battle” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

California: “Scandals cost California Democrats supermajority in Senate” by Jessica Calefati in the Contra Costa Times.

Elections

“Texas 2014 Primary Election Results” in the Texas Tribune.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Wyden’s rise starts K Street bidding war” by Megan R. Wilson and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Hollywood’s Top Lobbying Group Is Sponsoring CPAC” by Nikki Schwab in U.S. News & World Report.

Campaign Finance

Florida: “More Ads in Florida Push Independent Expenditures above $7.5 million” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Ethics

California: “California lawmakers report meals, sports tickets, other gifts” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.

New Jersey: “Port Authority chairman hit with ethics complaint by NJ Working Families Alliance” by Steve Strunsky in The Star-Ledger.

Vermont: “Vermont House working on ethics rules” by Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.

Congress

“Snow Delays Senate Votes for Another Day” by Niels Lesniewski in Roll Call.

State Legislative Sessions

Florida: “A viewers’ guide to the 2014 Florida Legislature session” by Steve Bousquet in the Miami Herald.

Kansas: “Kansas lawmakers taking a break from session” by The Associated Press on KAKE News.

Utah: “Nine days remain in productive legislative session” by Billy Hextra in the Daily Herald.

Wyoming: “Bill on special legislative session to deal with fallout from Supreme Court decision dies” by Bob Moen (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Elections

Texas: “What to Watch in the Texas Primary” by Ross Ramsey in Governing.

Lobbying

“Tax plan sends shockwaves down K Street” by Vicki Needham in The Hill.

“Movie Industry, In a Switch, Is Courting the GOP” by Brody Mullins and Ben Fritz in The Wall Street Journal.

“Former software lobbyist tapped for trade post” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

“Patton Boggs begins new merger talks” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“‘Card check’ victors reap little reward” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Buying alpha: Here’s the easiest way to stock gains” by Jeff Cox on CNBC.

Missouri: “Who bought lawmakers’ lunch? Lobbyist splits hairs” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

New Mexico: “N.M. lobbyists spent $200K on dinners, golf, skiing” by The Associated Press on KFDA News.

New York: “Mayor Accepted Lobbyist Money, Amid Improper Payments” by Jeff Preval on WGRZ.

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “New campaign finance law sparks debate” by Isabelle Taft in the Yale Daily News.

West Virginia: “Campaign finance bill dies in the House” in the West Virginia Metro News.

Ethics

Alabama: “‘Clean’ ethics legislation passes in Senate” by Kala Kachmar in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Virginia: “House passes ethics bill with ‘turkey dinner amendment’” by Markus Schmidt in the Times Dispatch.

Campaigns, Conventions, and Elections

“And the finalists for the GOP convention are ….” by Rebecca Shabad in The Hill.

“Practitioner’s Toolbox: One Political Startup’s Efforts To Engage Potential Supporters Online” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

Arkansas: “Ark. House committee approves lt. gov. bill” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.

From the State Legislatures

Tennessee: “Bill would give Tennessee Legislature power over attorney general” by Todd South in the Times Free Press.

West Virginia: “Lawmakers push dozens of bills before deadline” by Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.