LobbyComply Blog

National/Federal

Wealthy Donors Are Hiding Political Money in Secretive Nonprofits

Journal-News – Theodore Schleifer and Steven Rich (New York Times) | Published: 4/3/2026

Increasingly, individuals do not cut big checks to campaigns, donations in which their names would have to be disclosed to the FEC or state regulators. They come more and more from an alphabet soup of patriotic-sounding philanthropic organizations that send hundreds of millions of dollars to PACs but do not have to disclose where the money came from. So-called dark money is not new. But a review of new election filings and internal fundraising documents shows an increase in the use of these shadowy philanthropic groups to raise money on behalf of candidates in federal elections.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Top S.F. Official Who Led Dream Keeper Equity Program Charged with Felonies: ‘Abuse of power’

Yahoo News – St. John Barned-Smith and Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 3/30/2026

Once San Francisco’s most powerful civil rights watchdog, Sheryl Davis continued her fall when she surrendered to authorities to face accusations she misappropriated funds and engaged in “pervasive” self-dealing while leading a landmark initiative meant to benefit the city’s Black community. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins filed a raft of felony financial misconduct charges against Davis, who oversaw the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and James Spingola, the former chief executive officer of Collective Impact, a nonprofit Davis funded.

Hawaii – Convicted Hawai’i Lawmaker’s Emails Were Deleted When He Left Office

Honolulu Civil Beat – Madeleine Valera | Published: 4/8/2026

Soon after state Rep. Ty Cullen left office, resigning in disgrace due to a bribery scandal, the Hawaii House of Representatives wiped his email account clean, deleting years of messages. What kinds of emails he exchanged with the man convicted of bribing him, Milton Choy, the public may never know. Also unknown is what kinds of conversations, if any, Cullen shared with lobbyist Tobi Solidum, who is believed to be connected to an investigation into $35,000 in a paper bag given to another “influential” lawmaker in 2022.

Kentucky – Lobbying Interests Fund Small Political Nonprofit – and a Republican State Senator

Yahoo News – Tom Loftus (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 4/3/2026

Since January 2023 a political organization named Kentucky Strong Inc. has paid its executive director, state Sen. Julie Raque Adams, $80,500. In fact, 12 payments to Adams totaling $80,500 were the only expenses reported by the organization in the three-year period ending January 2026. Over roughly the same period, Kentucky Strong was funded exclusively by interests that actively lobby the Kentucky General Assembly.

New York – Blakeman Campaign Denied Matching Funds by Dems on Campaign Board

Yahoo News – Timothy Fanning (Albany Times Union) | Published: 3/31/2026

An arm of the state Board of Elections denied campaign matching funds to Republican Bruce Blakeman and five other New York gubernatorial candidates based on a rule change the agency’s staffers failed to tell anyone about. The Public Campaign Finance Board, where Democrats hold the majority, ruled along partisan lines that Blakeman was ineligible because he did not file the correct paperwork to qualify for a program that allows a candidate to obtain matching taxpayer money if they raise enough money from state residents.

North Carolina – Who Paid to Help Oust NC’s Phil Berger? Voters May Never Now. Here’s Why.

Yahoo News – Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 4/3/2026

Much remains unknown about who funded the race that ended Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s more than two decades in the North Carolina Legislature, with voters electing challenger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page to represent the district by fewer than two dozen votes. A large part of the opacity comes from political advertising by individuals, groups, and nonprofits, many of which are not required to disclose donors. Some of those ads, called electioneering communications, mention a candidate but stop short of explicitly urging voters to support or oppose them, a practice often referred to as issue advocacy.

Ohio – US Supreme Court Overturns PG Sittenfeld Corruption Conviction

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/6/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court granted federal prosecutors’ request to overturn ex-Cincinnati City Councilperson PG Sittenfeld’s corruption conviction, opening the door for a lower court to dismiss his case given that President Trump pardoned him last year. The ruling marks what could be the first time in Supreme Court history that the nation’s high court accepted an appeal from a defendant who had already received a presidential pardon for a criminal conviction.

Rhode Island – Jim Thorsen Wins Fight to Clear His Name of Ethical Misconduct Charges on 2023 Philly Trip

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 4/8/2026

Former Rhode Island Director of Administration Jim Thorsen was cleared of all wrongdoing following an ethics trial tied to an infamous business trip to Philadelphia. The state Ethics Commission decided Thorsen’s failure to immediately pay the $133-a-plate meal at Irwin’s in Philadelphia in March 2023 did not constitute knowing, willful, and deliberate flouting of the state ethics code.

Tennessee – Foreign Adversary Lobbyist Bill Sidelined for Session

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 4/8/2026

Legislation brought by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s administration requiring lobbyists to register when representing foreign adversaries has been derailed for the year. Sen. Adam Lowe, who carried the Senate version of the bill, said the state is trying to identify the influence of foreign money on Tennessee policy but that the methods for identifying that impact are changing.

Washington – Ferguson’s Failure to Fill Seats on WA Campaign Watchdog Panel Incites Recall Bid

Yahoo News – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 4/7/2026

A recall effort is underway against Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson for failing to fill vacancies on the commission that enforces state campaign finance laws. The petition to remove Ferguson from office accuses him of misfeasance and violating his oath of office by not filling two seats on the Public Disclosure Commission within a timeline prescribed in state law. One has been open for nearly all of Ferguson’s term, which began in January last year.

National/Federal

After a Year of Trump’s Washington, Private Sector Prepares for Some Democratic Power

MSN – Alex Gangitano and Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 3/26/2026

The private sector and their army of lobbyists are preparing for Democrats to seize some control away from President Trump next year. Democrats plan to launch into aggressive oversight mode, investigating a slew of Trump’s actions and how the corporate world treated him, from donations to his ballroom project and his inauguration to drug pricing dealmaking.

House Democrat Violated Ethics Rules, Panel Finds, Putting Her Seat in Jeopardy

MSN – Kadia Goba and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2026

Beleaguered Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick violated House ethics rules, a House ethics committee panel said, citing the findings of a years-long investigation into whether she used covid pandemic money to bolster a run for Congress. The vote follows a rare public hearing Thursday, in which members of the ethics committee queried Cherfilus-McCormick’s lawyer about allegations related to her family’s South Florida health care business. The committee’s investigation outlined 27 potential ethics violations.

Trump Attends Supreme Court Arguments Over His Executive Order, a Presidential First

NPR – Rachel Treisman | Published: 4/1/2026

President Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court when he showed up to watch proceedings in a case challenging one of his executive orders. Barbara v. Trump revolves around an executive order that Trump signed on the first day of his second term, seeking to deny automatic citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to parents who were in the country either illegally or temporarily. It has not gone into effect because multiple lower courts immediately ruled it unconstitutional.

From the States and Municipalities

California – San Jose Mayor Rips Sacramento as Lobbying Audits Nearly Disappear

Hoodline San Jose – Eric Tanaka | Published: 3/30/2026

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan urged state leaders to move auditing California’s influence industry to the top of their to-do list after a media investigation revealed regulators have conducted almost none of the lobbying audits that state law requires. The probe by Bloomberg Government found only five audits of lobbyists or their employers were completed between 2019 and 2025, a tally the outlet said amounts to less than one percent of the checks the Political Reform Act requires.

California – Donations to Gubernatorial Candidate Could Violate California Campaign Rules

MSN – Sophia Bollag (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 3/31/2026

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco received maximum donations from two closely linked companies that have been run by the same siblings, which could violate California’s campaign finance law. Bianco, who is seeking to replace Gavin Newsom as governor, received $78,400 donations from M&D Development and Downs Energy, the maximum amount allowed for an individual donor. Contributions from companies that are controlled by the same person or people should be aggregated, or treated as contributions from the same donor, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Colorado – Federal Judge Upholds Constitutionality of Colorado Campaign Contribution Limits

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 3/27/2026

A federal judge upheld Colorado’s individual campaign contribution limits as constitutional, finding three Republican plaintiffs failed to prove the framework violates their First Amendment rights. U.S. District Court Senior Judge John Kane wrote Colorado voters legitimately enacted the limits to guard against “quid pro quo” corruption, and they do not prevent political challengers from mounting successful campaigns.

Connecticut – Connecticut Election Officials Say Some Lobbyists Can Donate Despite Foreign Contribution Ban

MSN – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 4/1/2026

The State Elections Enforcement Commission ruled in-house lobbyists working for foreign-owned businesses can make personal contributions of their own volition to political campaigns in Connecticut. The commission said a 2024 state law that prohibits foreign nationals from donating or making expenditures generally does not apply to these paid lobbyists.

Louisiana – Louisiana Lawmakers Could Have More Foreign Trips Covered by Outside Groups

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 3/26/2026

Louisiana lawmakers would be able to accept a wider range of international travel paid for by outside groups without having to disclose those trips publicly under new legislation. House Bill 260 would allow nonprofits, political organizations, foreign governments, and others to pay for more international trips for state lawmakers.

New York – 4 Charged in Corruption Investigation Linked to NYC Homeless Shelter Operator

MSN – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 3/31/2026

Four people connected to a company hired by New York City to operate homeless shelters were arrested as part of a federal public corruption investigation that is also examining a city council member and a top aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Two leaders of BHRAGS Home Care are accused of stealing more than $1.3 million from the organization, and two subcontractors who the indictment says paid bribes and kickbacks to the men in exchange for contracts. Investigators are also probing whether Councilperson Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to Hochul, accepted bribes related to the appropriation of city funds to the nonprofit.

Ohio – Jury Deadlocked in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial as Yost Vows to Retry Case

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/31/2026

The high-profile bribery trial of two former FirstEnergy executives ended with a hung jury. On the ninth day of deliberations, jurors said they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-top lobbyist Michael Dowling on charges that accused them of bribing a state regulator who helped draft scandal-marred House Bill 6 in Ohio. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Susan Baker Ross stopped short of declaring a mistrial, saying she would make a ruling at a later date.

National/Federal

Super PAC Spending Passes $200M, with Some Groups Hiding Their Cause

MSN – Clara Ence Morse and Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 3/21/2026

The political arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee funneled over $5 million to other groups as part of its work to defeat Illinois Democrats critical of Israel in recent U.S. House primaries. The secretive giving is the latest example of how outside groups are obscuring their spending in competitive campaigns. Special interest groups have sometimes tried to veil their spending by using affiliated organizations that appear unrelated to the parent organization’s stated policy goals.

Rubio Testifies Against Friend Accused of Secretly Working for Maduro

MSN – Teo Arnus (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2026

Marco Rubio and David Rivera charted a rise in Miami’s famously scrappy politics together. They befriended each other as campaign volunteers in the 1990s and climbed the ranks of local politics side-by-side. As young state legislators they bought a house together near Tallahassee, where they orchestrated Rubio’s rise to Florida House speaker and then launched winning bids to Congress. But the two long-time friends faced each other recently in a different setting: a federal courtroom. Rubio, now the secretary of state, testified as a witness against Rivera, who is accused of serving as an unregistered foreign agent for Venezuela’s socialist government.

The Well-Timed Trades Made Moments Before Trump’s Policy Surprises

MSN – Alexander Osipovich and Jack Pitcher (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 3/25/2026

President Trump has moved markets with sudden shifts in policy, from tariff U-turns to military strikes. On several occasions, unusual trades hit the tape ahead of his announcements. Most recently, there was a mysterious flurry of trading activity in oil and S&P 500 futures about 15 minutes before Trump de-escalated tensions with Iran with a post on Truth Social, which sent oil prices tumbling and stocks rallying.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Doug Ford’s Records-Secrecy Plan Would Hide Top Lawmakers’ Meetings with Lobbyists

Toronto Today – Charlie Pinkerton (The Trillium) | Published: 3/25/2026

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to eliminate the public’s ability to access certain records of the province’s top lawmakers would eliminate the main way to know which lobbyists they met with, and when. The Ford government is planning to introduce legislation to amend the law shaping Ontario’s freedom of information system to end the public’s ability to request the records of the premier, cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants, and their offices.

California – Pebble Beach Golf, Maui Resorts, European Tours: How special interests woo California lawmakers

MSN – Yue Stella Yu and Jeremia Kimelman (CalMatters) | Published: 3/20/2026

State lawmakers in California took dozens of free trips last year, most sponsored and attended by special interest groups with business before the Legislature. Nearly 120 organizations – including nonprofits, corporations, foreign governments, state agencies, tribes, and campaigns – spent at least $1.2 million on travel for legislators in 2025. The bulk of the tab, $1.1 million, was picked up by nonprofits that are largely allowed to keep their donors secret, leaving the true source of the funding murky.

Florida – Democrat Scores Upset Win in Trump’s Backyard for Florida State House Seat

MSN – Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2026

Democrat Emily Gregory won the special election to represent a state House district in Florida that includes President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, a stunning upset that signals Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms. Gregory, a first-time candidate and fitness business owner, defeated Jon Maples, a Republican endorsed by Trump and aligned with his policies. Mike Caruso, the Republican who vacated the seat to become Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller, won the district by 19 percentage points in 2024.

Mississippi – Supreme Court Appears Ready to Limit Mail-In Balloting Ahead of Midterms

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 3/23/2026

The Supreme Court appeared likely to embrace a conservative challenge to tallying mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, a move that could upend election procedures in states across the country as voters prepare to cast ballots in the midterm elections. A majority of justices seemed ready to side with arguments by Republicans and Libertarians who told the court that federal election law preempts Mississippi from counting ballots that arrive up to five days after polls close as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

New York – Hundreds of Nonprofits Made Illegal Campaign Contributions in New York

Yahoo News – Emilie Munson (Albany Times Union) | Published: 3/22/2026

In the past decade, hundreds of New York nonprofits, which often are formed to provide integral services to underserved communities, have donated to political campaigns despite federal and state laws that prohibit it, an Albany Times Union investigation found. Roughly two-thirds of those institutions have filed detailed tax documents with the Internal Revenue Service in which they claimed under penalty of perjury they were not involved in politics, an assertion that routinely appears to be left unverified by the government.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Bribery Trial Deliberations Are in Day Six. Experts Say That’s Normal

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/26/2026

The jury entered its sixth day of deliberations in the high-profile bribery trial of two former FirstEnergy executives, a timeline that experts say is not unusual for complex cases. The trial began with jury selection on January 27. Testimony lasted six weeks. The jury so far has asked the judge three questions. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Chuck Jones and ex-top lobbyist Michael Dowling are accused of bribing state regulator Sam Randazzo with $4.3 million.

Vermont – Bench Press: Judges seeking reappointment turn to lobbyists

Seven Days Vermont – Hannah Bassett | Published: 3/24/2026

Lobbyists are nearly omnipresent at the Vermont Legislature, where they press lawmakers on everything from housing policy to health care. Even judges seeking to keep their seats rely on lobbying, but typically less for persuasion than for explanation, according to people familiar with the process. That distinction is in focus as six Superior Court judges face a retention vote before the full Legislature that will decide whether they can keep their seats on the bench.

National/Federal

AI Money Is Already Influencing the Midterms. And More Is Coming.

MSN – Dan Merica and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 3/12/2026

Money from artificial intelligence (AI) companies is flooding into the 2026 midterms. AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic have already collectively contributed over $185 million to contests around the country as tech leaders work to influence how, and how much, AI will be regulated, with Democrats and Republicans preparing for an onslaught of campaign spending that could remake key elections.

What’s in the Voting Bill That Republicans Are Pushing to the Senate Floor

MSN – Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) | Published: 3/17/2026

Legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters has become a rallying cry for President Trump, who claims that passage of the bill will “guarantee the midterms” for his Republican Party in November. The bill would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to present approved identification when they go to the polls, among other new rules that Trump and his most loyal supporters are pushing as part of an effort to assert more federal control over elections.

From the States and Municipalities

Hawaii – The Most Influential People at the State Capitol Are Out in the Hallway

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 3/6/2026

Lobbying is a word that can carry negative connotations, especially in this age of political corruption. Some lobbyists in Hawaii expressed resentment that their entire profession has been tainted by recent headlines about bad legislators and the people who bought them off. In fact, they argue the key to successfully lobbying is relationships, which are already central in a small island state.

North Carolina – NC Senator Asks for Investigation of Ties Between His Colleague and a Lobbyist

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 3/18/2026

North Carolina Sen. Terence Everitt wants the State Board of Elections to investigate the nearly $59,000 paid by state Sen. Dave Craven’s campaign to a company owned by the wife of lobbyist Kevin Wilkinson for consulting services. The News & Observer reported that the spending appears to be the only campaign work the business has done. A review of Craven’s campaign reports shows more than 20 percent of the money Craven raised in the last election came from people with ties to Wilkinson’s clients. Some of the campaign donors have been successful in winning favorable law changes or state appropriations.

Ohio – What the Jury Will Be Deciding in the FirstEnergy Corruption Trial

Yahoo News – Morgan Trau (WEWS) | Published: 3/18/2026

The jury has begun deliberating whether two former FirstEnergy executives are guilty of bribery for their role in the largest public corruption scheme in Ohio history. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-lobbyist Mike Dowling are charged with bribing former Public Utilities Commission Chair Sam Randazzo with $4.3 million to get beneficial rulings. The defendants have also been accused of spending $61 million to help create and pass legislation to provide a billion-dollar bailout for the struggling company.

Pennsylvania – Treasurer Garrity Bought Israel Bonds. Candidate Garrity Then Campaigned at the Firm’s Gala.

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 3/16/2026

Ethics experts are raising concerns after state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigned at a gala hosted by a firm from which she purchased millions in bonds in her official state role. Garrity has invested $45 million in taxpayer money into Israel Bonds since the October 7, 2023, attacks in Gaza, a move that overrode earlier concerns within the Treasury Department that the bonds could be a risky investment. In gratitude, the firm behind the bonds invited her, in her capacity as state treasurer alongside an unknown number of other Pennsylvania investors, to a thank-you event.

Rhode Island – From Vegan Cheese to Ethics Scandal: Jim Thorsen says he was lied to in Philly

MSN – Eli Sherman (WPRI) | Published: 3/17/2026

Former Rhode Island Director of Administration Jim Thorsen testified at an administrative trial, defending his conduct during a 2023 trip to Philadelphia that has since become the center of a state ethics scandal. The state Ethics Commission previously found probable cause that Thorsen violated the ethics law. It is now weighing whether Thorsen accepted a free lunch on the trip and failed to intervene as his then-subordinate allegedly solicited vendors for free food and luxury items.

Texas – ‘The Public Should Know’: City Hall changes how lobbying is reported

MSN – Chaya Tong (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 3/12/2026

The Austin City Council approved changes to the city’s lobbying rules, shifting the reporting of lobbyists’ interactions with city officials away from departments to the lobbyists themselves, a move some council members warn could make it harder for the public to track influence at City Hall. The changes come after the city auditor noted issues with transparency and accessibility in lobbyist compliance and recommended changes to the lobbying rules in September.

West Virginia – West Virginia Voters Will Lose Access to Donor Employer Data Under New Campaign Finance Law

Mountain State Spotlight – Duncan Slade | Published: 3/18/2026

At the beginning of next year, voters will no longer be able to see if groups of people who work for the same company are contributing to a campaign. West Virginia lawmakers passed legislation this year redacting employer information from political donations of more than $250. Democrats said that not having this information would reduce transparency about who is funding politicians and how they might stand to benefit.

Wyoming – Wyomingites Call for Lobbying Investigation in Response to ‘Checkgate’ Controversy

MSN – Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) | Published: 3/18/2026

At least two Wyoming residents have asked state and law enforcement agencies to investigate whether laws about lobbying and other political activity were broken after check-passing on the floor of the House of Representatives. Stephanie Kessler, a Lander resident, asked the attorney general’s office to investigate whether Bextel was lobbying “on behalf of a corporation without registering as required under Wyoming law.” The law requires anyone who attempts to influence legislation on behalf of a corporation or certain organizations to register as a lobbyist within 48 hours of doing so.

Campaign Finance

West Virginia: “West Virginia Voters Will Lose Access to Donor Employer Data Under New Campaign Finance Law” by Duncan Slade for Mountain State Spotlight

Elections

Illinois: “Stratton Wins Illinois Senate Primary in Victory for Pritzker” by Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Rhode Island: “From Vegan Cheese to Ethics Scandal: Jim Thorsen says he was lied to in Philly” by Eli Sherman (WPRI) for MSN

Lobbying

Wyoming: “Wyomingites Call for Lobbying Investigation in Response to ‘Checkgate’ Controversy” by Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Hawaii: “Should Tax Dollars Be Used for Campaigns? These Election Reform Bills Are Still Alive” by Ashley Mizuo for Hawai’i Public Radio

Elections

National: “What’s in the Voting Bill That Republicans Are Pushing to the Senate Floor” by Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

Ohio: “‘No Smoking Gun’: Defense slams prosecution in FirstEnergy bribery trial” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Pennsylvania: “Treasurer Garrity Bought Israel Bonds. Candidate Garrity Then Campaigned at the Firm’s Gala.” by Stephen Caruso for Spotlight PA

Ethics

National: “Court Blocks Probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, DOJ to Appeal” by Christopher Flavelle, Madeleine Ngo, and Georgia Gee (Politico) for MSN

Ohio: “FirstEnergy Execs ‘Rigged’ Regulator, Prosecutors Say in Closing Arguments” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Texas: “Texas Jury Convicts Protesters Charged with Plotting ‘Antifa’ Attack” by Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Hawaii: “The Most Influential People at the State Capitol Are Out in the Hallway” by Chad Blair for Honolulu Civil Beat

Redistricting

Virginia: “As States Scrap for Congressional Seats, Virginia Could Tip the Scales” by Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

National: “AI Money Is Already Influencing the Midterms. And More Is Coming.” by Dan Merica and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) for MSN

Elections

National: “Democrats, Groups Sound Alarm on Trump Actions on Elections” by Michael Macagnone (Roll Call) for MSN

Nevada: “FBI Closes 2020 Election Fraud Inquiry Demanded by NV’s Top Federal Prosecutor” by Sarah Lynch (CBS News) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Trump Names New Head for VOA Parent After Court Rebukes Kari Lake” by Scott Nover and Adam Taylor (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s Ethics Reform Package Faces Further Delays” by R. Christian Smith (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “Testimony Ends in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Lobbying

Texas: “‘The Public Should Know’: City Hall changes how lobbying is reported” by Chaya Tong (Austin American-Statesman) for MSN

Redistricting

Florida: “Can Florida Save Trump’s Plan to Keep GOP in Power?” by Kadia Goba and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) for MSN

National/Federal

DOJ Clears the Way for Government to Hire Technologists Still Connected to Their Private Sector Employers

Government Executive – Natalie Alms | Published: 3/10/2026

The Justice Department issued an opinion authorizing the Trump administration’s plan to allow employees from tech companies to work for the federal government while remaining employed by their companies and keeping their not-yet-vested company stocks. The administration will be onboarding managers from twenty-plus companies as part of its U.S. Tech Force program, launched last year to recruit early-career engineers after the administration pushed over 20,000 technologists out of their government posts last year.

Trump DOJ Seeks Control Over Search of Washington Post Reporter’s Devices

MSN – Jordan Rubin | Published: 3/11/2026

The Justice Department escalated its bid to search a Washington Post reporter’s electronic devices, seeking to overturn a magistrate judge’s order that the court, not the government, lead the initial review. The department obtained a search warrant for reporter Hannah Natanson’s devices as part of an investigation into Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, who was charged with unlawfully retaining national defense information. The government said he gave Natanson top secret and other classified information that later appeared in her published articles.

Police Say Jan. 6 Plaque Is Unlawfully Hidden from Public at U.S. Capitol

MSN – Olivia George (Washington Post) | Published: 3/11/2026

Police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, asked a federal judge to allow their lawsuit over the long-delayed installation of a plaque honoring their service to continue, days after The Washington Post revealed it was quietly hung at the end of a hallway in the middle of the night. Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and District of Columbia police officer Daniel Hodges, who sued last summer after Congress blew past its own installation deadline, argue the placement of the plaque continues to violate federal law.

Trump Sons Back New Drone Company Targeting Pentagon Sales

MSN – Heather Somerville (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 3/8/2026

Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are backing a new drone company, Powerus, that is vying to meet fresh demand from the Pentagon and fill a hole left by the administration’s ban on new Chinese drones in the U.S. The deal brings deeper involvement by the Trump family into a multibillion-dollar sector that has new opportunities for growth following changes imposed by the Trump administration.

Pentagon Bars Press Photographers Over ‘Unflattering’ Hegseth Photos

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 3/11/2026

The Defense Department barred press photographers from briefings on the ongoing military conflict with Iran after they published photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that his staff deemed “unflattering,” according to sources. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has sparred with the press since being confirmed. In October, hundreds of Pentagon reporters turned in their credentials and dozens walked out of the building after refusing to sign a policy prohibiting journalists from soliciting any information the government did not authorize.

In Trump’s Washington, Congress Has Little Power Left

MSN – Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 3/10/2026

Donald Trump’s second presidency has marked a major advance in the expansion of executive power at the expense of the legislative branch, an acceleration the president has not been shy about pursuing. That has raised concerns for some politicians, especially those who have left office, about maintaining the balance of powers seen as central to American democracy.

Smartmatic Says It’s Being Targeted by Justice Dept. to Bolster False 2020 Claims

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 3/10/2026

A voting machine company at the heart of President Trump’s conspiracy theories about the 2020 election accused the Justice Department of bringing a criminal case against it to further his administration’s baseless claims about that vote. The parent company of Smartmatic asked a federal judge to dismiss foreign bribery charges filed against it last year, alleging they amounted to little more than a vindictive and selective prosecution. The company also contends that Fox News and others it sued for defamation for statements about the firm’s voting machines are exploiting the criminal case.

Justice Department Publishes Documents with Sexual Assault Allegations Against Trump

MSN – Erica Orden (Politico) | Published: 3/6/2026

The Justice Department posted a trio of FBI interviews with a woman who alleged Donald Trump sexually assaulted her when she was a young teenager after she was introduced to him by Jeffrey Epstein. The files come as Democrats are investigating whether the department purposefully withheld materials that included sexual assault allegations against Trump. The president has denied wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein allegations and has not been charged with a crime in connection with them.

Rep. Gonzales Drops Reelection Bid After Admitting to Affair with Aide

MSN – Amy Wang and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 3/6/2026

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales dropped his bid for reelection after acknowledging he had an affair with a staff member who later set herself on fire and died. House Republican leaders had called on Gonzales to resign over the scandal. Under House rules, lawmakers are not permitted to engage in sexual relationships with staff members.

Judge Rules Kari Lake Unlawfully Ran U.S. Media Agency, Voiding Layoffs

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 3/7/2026

A federal judge ruled Kari Lake has unlawfully served as chief executive of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and nullified many actions she has taken in the role, including mass layoffs of staff. The decision is the latest in a string of legal defeats to the Trump administration’s year-long effort to dismantle USAGM, the federal agency that in addition to Voice of America oversees other U.S.-funded international broadcasters including Radio Free Asia.

The Next Redistricting Battle Might Be Who Is Counted in State Legislative Districts

NPR – Hansi Lo Wang | Published: 3/9/2026

A potential front in the redistricting war could involve which citizens counted for state legislative districts. For decades, mapmakers have drawn the districts that state lawmakers represent based on the total number of people living in an area. But Republican officials in some states have called for using a narrower population: only “eligible voters.” Such a change would likely lead to a transfer of political influence away from urban areas that are younger and more racially diverse, and toward rural areas that are older and whiter.

Millions in the Mailbox: Why both political parties are still spending big on traditional mail

OpenSecrets – Emma Sullivan | Published: 3/8/2026

National party committees spent tens of millions of dollars on printing and mailing, much of which went to direct mail, during the 2024 election cycle, even as campaigns increasingly relied on digital tools to expand fundraising and voter outreach. Some campaign strategists say direct mail remains an effective way to reach and mobilize voters who may be less responsive to digital outreach. Along with newer tools, direct mail plays a distinct role in campaigns’ broader outreach strategies, particularly when targeting certain voter demographics.

Documents Reveal a Web of Financial Ties Between Trump Officials and the Industries They Help Regulate

ProPublica – Corey Johnson, Brandon Roberts, and Al Shaw | Published: 3/5/2026

On the first day of his second term, President Trump rescinded an executive order required his appointees to comply with an ethics pledge. The pledge barred them from working on issues related to their former lobbying topics or clients for two years. Weeks later, Trump fired 17 inspectors general across the federal government. He removed the head of the Office of Government Ethics. Against that backdrop, ProPublica used disclosure records to investigate how personal financial interests have intersected with government decision-making inside the Trump administration.

Bulletproof Vests and Rolex Watches: The rise and fall of Kristi Noem

Seattle Times – Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Hamed Aleaziz (New York Times) | Published: 3/6/2026

The display of a Rolex at a notorious prison in El Salvador. A self-promotional advertising campaign for mass deportations. The lingering story of the killing of her dog. Kristi Noem never appeared able, or particularly keen, to step out of the spotlight during her time leading the Department of Homeland Security. But even for a White House familiar with political crises, Noem’s streak of controversies, handling of government funding and flair for theatrics might have proved too much for President Trump.

From St. Petersburg to Philly, Fraud Claims Piled Up Against Political Consultant

Yahoo News – Anna Orso (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 3/5/2026

Chris Rabb, a congressional candidate from Philadelphia, is one of many people who say Yolanda Brown owes him money. But none of them have been able to find her and the allegations of impropriety against the political consultant are piling up. Brown, a Florida-based finance manager and campaign consultant who works primarily with Democrats and social justice groups, has over the last decade faced criminal charges for embezzlement and other allegations of financial fraud in at least four states totaling more than $500,000.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Lawsuit Again Asks Alaska Election Officials to Change Language in RCV Repeal Ballot Measure

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 3/5/2026

A group working to repeal Alaska’s current voting system has sued state election officials, alleging language adopted by the state for a repeal ballot measure is not “true” and “impartial” as required under state law. It is the second lawsuit filed this year challenging the wording of the ballot measure. Repeal Now is seeking to undo laws enacted through a 2020 ballot initiative that implemented nonpartisan open primaries, ranked choice general elections, and new campaign finance reporting requirements.

Arizona – FBI Obtains Voting Data from Arizona GOP’s 2020 Review That Confirmed Trump’s Loss

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Perry Stein, and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 3/9/2026

A federal grand jury in Arizona subpoenaed records from a review Republican lawmakers conducted of the 2020 presidential results and that confirmed President Trump lost. The subpoena opened a new front in the Trump administration’s expanding hunt for evidence that has never surfaced to support the president’s claims of widespread fraud. The law enforcement steps have alarmed election officials and Democrats who fear the administration is building an argument for interfering in this year’s midterm elections.

California – Andrew Do’s Corruption Went Far Beyond What Was Previously Known, Audit Finds

MSN – Nick Gerda (LAist) | Published: 3/10/2026

A forensic audit released by Orange County found ex-Supervisor Andrew Do and his top aide had a longstanding pattern of misspending public money far beyond the scandal that led to federal corruption charges and landed Do in prison. The report was the first phase of an audit the Board of Supervisors commissioned last fall into county contracts in the wake of LAist’s investigation of the Do meal money scheme and his corruption conviction.

District of Columbia – Ed Martin Faces Disciplinary Proceedings Over Actions as D.C. U.S. Attorney

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 3/10/2026

Senior Justice Department official and Trump ally Ed Martin is facing disciplinary proceedings over a letter he sent to Georgetown University’s law school asserting his then-office would not hire anyone affiliated with Georgetown because of its apparent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The District of Columbia Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint that details Martin’s unusual communications with then-law school dean William Treanor. In his letter to Treanor, Martin questioned whether Georgetown was using DEI practices and, if so, demanded the school change its curriculum.

Florida – Miami-Dade Candidate Charged with Many Campaign Violations Could Catch a Break

MSN – Grethel Aguila (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/11/2026

The criminal charges against a failed Miami-Dade County Commission candidate accused of a slew of campaign finance violations might be significantly reduced, a judge said. Sophia Lacayo was charged in 2023 with 21 felonies and misdemeanors stemming from alleged violations of the law. During a hearing, Lacayo’s attorney and prosecutors sparred over conflicting interpretations of the statute used to charge her.

Georgia – Bill Requires Candidates to Raise at Least Half Their Money Within Georgia

Capitol Beat – Mark Niesse | Published: 3/6/2026

The Georgia Senate passed a bill that bans candidates from raising more than half of their campaign money from outside of the state, a limitation that Democrats said inhibits their fundraising in nationalized elections. If the bill passes the state House and is signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, violations could be prosecuted as felonies with punishments up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Hawaii – Audit: Sylvia Luke’s campaign missed thousands in donations

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 3/9/2026

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s campaign failed to report more than $7,800 worth of campaign contributions during the first six months of 2022, according to an audit of her campaign funds. The audit does not mention the $10,000 in checks Luke initially accepted from lobbyist Tobi Solidum and his stepdaughter during a dinner meeting with former Rep. Ty Cullen in January 2022. The campaign later reported returning those checks to Solidum and Kristen Pae but the donations were not recorded until the media asked about them in February.

Idaho – House Ethics Proceedings Would Be Secret Under New Bill

Boise State Public Radio – James Dawson | Published: 3/9/2026

Ethics proceedings in the Idaho House would no longer be open to the public under a new bill. The proposal would keep all ethics proceedings secret. That is unless the committee finds a member has violated the law, did not disclose conflicts-of-interest, or their conduct was unbecoming of a legislator.

Michigan – ‘No Correlation:’ Michigan lawmaker advances alcohol bills after $4.5K trip paid by industry

MLive – Danielle James | Published: 3/7/2026

State Rep. Joseph Aragona wants to increase the alcohol percentage allowed in Michigan’s canned mixed drinks. He introduced a bill to do so just months after a lobbying organization for alcohol wholesalers disclosed spending thousands on his travel expenses for a February 2025 conference. The same group has donated several thousand dollars more to Aragona’s reelection campaign over the past year.

Nebraska – Lincoln Police Now Investigating $2.5M No-Bid Contract Flagged by Nebraska Auditor

Yahoo News – Zach Wendling (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 3/10/2026

The Lincoln Police Department is now investigating a $2.5 million no-bid emergency contract between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and a contractor Gov. Jim Pillen recommended. State Auditor Mike Foley has said the deal “smacks of favoritism.” Part of Foley’s probe also questions actions by some top staff under Pillen’s direct control.

New Jersey – Trio Named to Replace Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney Is Also Serving Illegally, Judge Says

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 3/9/2026

A federal judge upended the leadership of New Jersey’s U.S. attorney’s office again, ruling for the second time in less than a year that the Trump administration had illegally sought to bypass Congress and install its own picks to head the prominent prosecutorial outpost. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann decision escalates a battle that has been brewing across the country and among all three branches of government over who has the ultimate authority over U.S. attorney picks.

New York – Ethics Probe Finds State Agency Supervisor Accepted Cash, Luxury Handbag

MSN – Timothy Fanning (Albany Times Union) | Published: 3/9/2026

A supervisor at a state agency in the Capitol Region admitted taking more than $2,200 in cash and designer gifts, including money for a Louis Vuitton handbag, from a subordinate employee, according to state ethics investigators. Lolita Davis, a supervisor at the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, was demoted and suspended for 15 weeks without pay, resulting in $19,322 of lost pay.

North Carolina – Young NC Senator Is a Big Fundraiser. How a Lobbyist and His Wife Tie into That Success

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 3/9/2026

For the 2024 election, North Carolina’s youngest Republican state senator pulled off a rare fundraising triumph for a lawmaker who had only served one full term. Sen. Dave Craven campaign attracted more than $1.3 million in contributions, more than any other lawmaker save for Senate leader Phil Berger. Craven gave away $784,800 to other Senate GOP candidates’ campaigns. A watchdog’s review of Craven’s campaign reports shows more than a fifth of the $1.3 million he raised has links to clients of one lobbyist – Kevin Wilkinson, a former congressional aide and state government official who began lobbying in 2020.

North Carolina – Republican NC Elections Board Member Resigns Over Prohibited Campaign Donations

Yahoo News – Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 3/5/2026

Bob Rucho, a member of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, announced his resignation after making what appear to be prohibited campaign contributions to two candidates running for election this year. Rucho donated roughly $1,200 to the reelection campaigns of Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown and Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell. State law prohibits election board members from donating to candidates.

Ohio – Prosecution Wraps Its Case in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial. What’s Next?

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/5/2026

Prosecutors wrapped up their case in the bribery trial of former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and top lobbyist Michael Dowling. Jones and Dowling are accused of paying $4.3 million to former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo in exchange for favorable regulatory actions worth more than $1 billion. Over five weeks, jurors heard from 24 witnesses, watched two video depositions, and reviewed extensive emails and text messages. Five former FirstEnergy employees testified under immunity.

Ohio – Defense: FirstEnergy execs backed rival to man they’re accused of bribing

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/6/2026

Two former FirstEnergy executives accused of bribery launched their defense, arguing their preferred candidate to lead the state’s utility regulator was not the man they are accused of bribing. Jason Rafeld was the first witness to testify on behalf of former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-top lobbyist Michael Dowling, who are accused of bribing the man who beat Rafeld out for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio chairperson in 2019, Sam Randazzo.

Ohio – Judge Dismisses Money Laundering Charges Against Former FirstEnergy Executives in HB 6 Bribery Trial, Leaves Rest of Indictment Intact

MSN – Tyler Carey (WKYC) | Published: 3/10/2026

A Summit County Judge dismissed the money laundering charges against two former FirstEnergy executives who are currently on trial in connection with the Ohio House Bill 6 bribery scandal. After the state rested its case, Judge Susan Baker Ross acquitted Chuck Jones Michael Dowling of each of the four money laundering charges against them, declaring the evidence presented by the prosecution was “insufficient to sustain a conviction” on those specific accusations. Ross denied the defense’s motion to throw the entire case out.

Ohio – US Sen. Jon Husted Testifies Remotely in Ex-FirstEnergy Executives’ Corruption Trial

Yahoo News – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 3/11/2026

U.S. Sen. Jon Husted testified he was present at a 2018 dinner with Ohio’s then-Gov.-elect Mike DeWine and two former FirstEnergy executives who are accused of bribing a top utility regulator, whom DeWine appointed shortly thereafter. But Husted said he recalled little of what was discussed that night and he was not aware that former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and former lobbyist Michael Dowling planned to meet with DeWine’s ultimate choice to lead the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Sam Randazzo, right afterward.

Oregon – Oregon Lawmakers Approve Controversial Changes to Campaign Finance Law; Advocates Pledge to Bring Issue to Ballot

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 3/6/2026

After ignoring warnings from campaign finance reform advocates, Oregon lawmakers approved a variety of changes to a 2024 law that establishes limits on political contributions starting next year. If Gov. Tina Kotek signs the bill, the advocates say they will bring forward a ballot measure to pass a stronger version of Oregon’s campaign finance law. Two years ago, lawmakers only moved to set contribution limits after it became clear the same advocates would likely succeed in getting a campaign finance measure on the ballot.

Pennsylvania – As Josh Shapiro Seeks Reelection, His Business-Friendly Brand Has Drawn Millions from CEOs – Including Some with Interests in Harrisburg

MSN – Andrew Seidman and Joe Yerardi (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 3/4/2026

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s gubernatorial campaign raised at least $8.5 million last year from nearly 240 chief executive officers, founders, business owners, and other top executives. During his first three years in office, Shapiro sought to build a profile as a pragmatic, business-friendly governor. At the same time, the governor has proven adept at raising campaign money from people who have business interests before state government in Harrisburg. The practice could invite scrutiny for Shapiro in a White House run, particularly among voters and activists who are dismayed by the role of money in politics.

Pennsylvania – A Silicon Valley Firm Offered Gift Cards as Part of a Campaign to Defeat Pa. Regulation. Lawmakers Say That’s Unethical.

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 3/4/2026

A home financing firm offered its customers Amazon gift cards if they submitted testimony to a Pennsylvania House committee ahead of a hearing on a bill the company opposed. The offer, made in a February email by Palo Alto-based company Point to its users, has upset the committee members, who argue it calls into question the firm’s argument. Lobbyists must disclose who pays them, said Rep. Arvind Venkat, and Point is not yet registered to lobby the General Assembly.

Tennessee – Tennessee Lawmakers Push Bill That Could Make Them, and Their Donors, Richer by Triggering CVS Closures

MSN – Robert Schmad (Washington Examiner) | Published: 3/10/2026

A bill working its way through the Tennessee Legislature could serve the interests of the pharmacy industry-linked lawmakers sponsoring it by reducing competition for them and their donors. Senate Bill 2040, according to CVS, would force it to close every pharmacy it maintains in the state. Some of the lawmakers pushing the bill own pharmacies that could potentially benefit from the resulting dearth of competition, whereas others supporting the law are funded by business interests that themselves could gain from knocking out the state’s CVS locations.

Virginia – Virginia Moves to Forbid Schools from Teaching That Jan. 6 Was Peaceful

MSN – Gregory Schneider and Lauren Lumpkin (Washington Post) | Published: 3/6/2026

Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits schools from teaching the Capitol insurrection was a peaceful demonstration or there was massive fraud in the 2020 presidential election, the first Democratic state to try to shape how such events are taught. It raises questions about how far government should go in dictating how historical events are portrayed, particularly in an era when even basic facts are increasingly treated as matters of partisan debate.

Virginia – Civil Rights Imagery in Anti-Redistricting Mailers Draws Outrage in Virginia

Yahoo News – Markus Schmidt (Virginia Mercury) | Published: 3/9/2026

A PAC opposing Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum is facing sharp criticism after sending mailers to voters that invoke imagery and language from the civil rights movement, a tactic voting rights advocates and state officials say distorts history and risks misleading voters. There appears to be little publicly available information online about a group called Justice for Democracy, the organization listed on the mailer disclaimer.

Washington – Judge Denies Restraining Order for Conservative Media Figures Who Sought Press Passes

Yahoo News – Martha Bellisle (Associated Press) | Published: 3/10/2026

State lawmakers in Washington were within their rights when they declined to issue press passes to three conservative media figures, a federal judge ruled in a case that echoes a national discussion over who qualifies as a journalist. The House said they were not bona fide journalists because they are participants in the political arena, advocating for certain agendas and hosting or speaking at rallies.

Elections

National: “Smartmatic Says It’s Being Targeted by Justice Dept. to Bolster False 2020 Claims” by Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Andrew Do’s Corruption Went Far Beyond What Was Previously Known, Audit Finds” by Nick Gerda (LAist) for MSN

Washington DC: “Ed Martin Faces Disciplinary Proceedings Over Actions as D.C. U.S. Attorney” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “DOJ Clears the Way for Government to Hire Technologists Still Connected to Their Private Sector Employers” by Natalie Alms for Government Executive

National: “Trump DOJ Seeks Control Over Search of Washington Post Reporter’s Devices” by Jordan Rubin for MSN

Ohio: “US Sen. Jon Husted Testifies Remotely in Ex-FirstEnergy Executives’ Corruption Trial” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “Judge Dismisses Money Laundering Charges Against Former FirstEnergy Executives in HB 6 Bribery Trial, Leaves Rest of Indictment Intact” by Tyler Carey (WKYC) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Washington: “Judge Denies Restraining Order for Conservative Media Figures Who Sought Press Passes” by Martha Bellisle (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Procurement

Nebraska: “Lincoln Police Now Investigating $2.5M No-Bid Contract Flagged by Nebraska Auditor” by Zach Wendling (Nebraska Examiner) for Yahoo News

Campaign Finance

Hawaii: “Audit: Sylvia Luke’s campaign missed thousands in donations” by Blaze Lovell for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

Arizona: “FBI Obtains Voting Data from Arizona GOP’s 2020 Review That Confirmed Trump’s Loss” by Isaac Arnsdorf, Perry Stein, and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Documents Reveal a Web of Financial Ties Between Trump Officials and the Industries They Help Regulate” by Corey Johnson, Brandon Roberts, and Al Shaw for ProPublica

New Jersey: “Trio Named to Replace Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney Is Also Serving Illegally, Judge Says” by Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Ethics Probe Finds State Agency Supervisor Accepted Cash, Luxury Handbag” by Timothy Fanning (Albany Times Union) for MSN

Ohio: “Attorneys for Former FirstEnergy Execs Call on Judge to Throw Out Case” by Patrick Williams (Akron Beacon Journal) for MSN

Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmakers Push Bill That Could Make Them, and Their Donors, Richer by Triggering CVS Closures” by Robert Schmad (Washington Examiner) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “In Trump’s Washington, Congress Has Little Power Left” by Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Georgia: “Bill Requires Candidates to Raise at Least Half Their Money Within Georgia” by Mark Niesse for Capitol Beat

National: “From St. Petersburg to Philly, Fraud Claims Piled Up Against Political Consultant” by Anna Orso (Philadelphia Inquirer) for Yahoo News

North Carolina: “Young NC Senator Is a Big Fundraiser. How a Lobbyist and His Wife Tie into That Success” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) for MSN

Pennsylvania: “As Josh Shapiro Seeks Reelection, His Business-Friendly Brand Has Drawn Millions from CEOs – Including Some with Interests in Harrisburg” by Andrew Seidman and Joe Yerardi (Philadelphia Inquirer) for MSN

Elections

National: “Millions in the Mailbox: Why both political parties are still spending big on traditional mail” by Emma Sullivan for OpenSecrets

Ethics

National: “Judge Rules Kari Lake Unlawfully Ran U.S. Media Agency, Voiding Layoffs” by Scott Nover (Washington Post) for MSN

Ohio: “Defense: FirstEnergy execs backed rival to man they’re accused of bribing” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Redistricting

National: “The Next Redistricting Battle Might Be Who Is Counted in State Legislative Districts” by Hansi Lo Wang for NPR

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Republican NC Elections Board Member Resigns Over Prohibited Campaign Donations” by Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News & Observer) for Yahoo News

Oregon: “Oregon Lawmakers Approve Controversial Changes to Campaign Finance Law; Advocates Pledge to Bring Issue to Ballot” by Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Elections

National: “Rep. Gonzales Drops Reelection Bid After Admitting to Affair with Aide” by Amy Wang and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Bulletproof Vests and Rolex Watches: The rise and fall of Kristi Noem” by Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Hamed Aleaziz (New York Times) for Seattle Times

National: “Justice Department Publishes Documents with Sexual Assault Allegations Against Trump” by Erica Orden (Politico) for MSN

Ohio: “Prosecution Wraps Its Case in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial. What’s Next?” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Virginia: “Virginia Moves to Forbid Schools from Teaching That Jan. 6 Was Peaceful” by Gregory Schneider and Lauren Lumpkin (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “A Silicon Valley Firm Offered Gift Cards as Part of a Campaign to Defeat Pa. Regulation. Lawmakers Say That’s Unethical.” by Stephen Caruso for Spotlight PA

National/Federal

New York Woman Who Duped Investors and Funneled Money to Trump Fundraiser Gets 9 Years in Prison

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 2/27/2026

Sherry Xue Li was sentenced to nine years in federal prison over a financial scheme that ripped off more than $30 million from foreign investors and funneled some of the stolen money into U.S. political campaigns, including a fundraiser for President Trump. Li pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. by obstructing the FEC’s administration of campaign finance laws. Her co-defendant, Lianbo Wang, also pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to five years in prison.

DOJ Sues 5 More States for Access to Voter Rolls

MSN – Jacob Wendler (Politico) | Published: 2/26/2026

The Department of Justice filed suit against five additional states, demanding they share election data with the Trump administration amid its nationwide push for access to state voter rolls. With the latest wave of legal action, the department has now sued more than two dozen states as a part of its push for access to voter files. Most of those states are controlled by Democrats, although the latest spate of suits includes four states that supported Donald Trump in 2020 and 2024 The fifth state sued was New Jersey.

Trump Admin Asked a Court to Drop Court Fights Against Law Firms Tied to Democrats. Now It’s Changing Its Mind

MSN – Katelyn Polantz (CNN) | Published: 3/3/2026

The Justice Department told four large law firms targeted by President Trump that its decision to withdraw from court fights with them is being reversed. The latest move appears to restart Trump’s attempts to try to block the firms from federal government access over their ties to Democrats. Trump had attempted to use the powers of the presidency to prevent the firms’ lawyers from accessing federal buildings, securing classified information, and meeting with federal agencies, all mainstays of Washington-based legal work. The firms challenged the executive orders and have so far won in court.

Trump Allies Claim Victory as the Ellisons Expand Their Media Empire

MSN – Will Oremus, Liam Scott, Cat Zakrzewski, and Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 2/28/2026

Netflix’s withdrawal cleared the way for David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance to take the reins of CNN, whose coverage President Trump has labeled “fake news.” Among power players in politics and media, Paramount’s acquisition is widely viewed as a win for the right amid a broader push to rein in what many conservatives view as a liberal slant in the media and entertainment industries. In Washington, questions have swirled as to what role was played by a president who famously relishes dealmaking.

Trump, Seeking Executive Power Over Elections, Is Urged to Declare Emergency

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post) | Published: 2/26/2026

Pro-Trump activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a draft executive order that claims China interfered in the 2020 election as a basis to declare a national emergency that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting. President Trump has repeatedly previewed a plan to mandate voter ID and ban mail ballots in November’s midterm elections, and the activists expect their draft will figure into Trump’s promised executive order on the issue.

Trump Justice Department Aims to Limit Ethics Probes into Its Lawyers

MSN – Andrew Goudsward (Reuters) | Published: 3/4/2026

The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to constrain ethics investigations conducted at the state level into alleged misconduct by its lawyers, according to a proposed rule that would shield prosecutors pursuing President Trump’s agenda. The proposal would give the U.S. attorney general the right to review misconduct allegations against current or former Justice Department attorneys and request that disciplinary authorities at the state level suspend their investigations.

Cornyn, Paxton Reach Runoff; Other Takeaways from Big Election Night

MSN – Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 3/3/2026

The 2026 midterm election season kicked off with primaries in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas, featuring several high-profile contests that will set the tone for November as voters weigh in on President Trump’s second administration and Democrats debate their party’s direction. Republicans are defending a thin majority in the House, and they have tried to bolster their efforts by redrawing congressional maps in several GOP-controlled states. The elections put a spotlight on those new maps in Texas and North Carolina, where the party has targeted six Democratic-held seats and prompted some intraparty battles in the process.

Judge Restores Lawmakers’ Unfettered Access to ICE Detention Facilities

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 3/2/2026

The Department of Homeland Security may not bar members of Congress from making unannounced visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities, a federal judge ruled, blocking a policy imposed in January. U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb ruled Noem’s policy was crafted with funds that Congress specifically said could not be used to impede lawmakers’ visits to detention facilities, even if those visits are not announced in advance.

Bill Clinton Says He ‘Did Nothing Wrong’ with Epstein as He Faces Grilling Over Their Relationship

Yahoo News – Stephen Groves (Associated Press) | Published: 2/27/2026

Former President Bill Clinton told members of Congress he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse as he faced grilling from lawmakers over his connections to the disgraced financier from more than two decades ago. The closed-door deposition marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. It came a day after Clinton’s wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, sat with lawmakers for her own deposition.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, Forced into Runoff, Admits to Affair with Aide Who Died by Suicide

Yahoo News – Gabby Birenbaum (Texas Tribune) | Published: 3/4/2026

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales admitted to having an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, a staff member who later died by suicide, after initially denying the allegation. The San Antonio Express-News had published a screenshot of a text sent by Santos-Aviles to a fellow staffer in which she said she had an ‘affair with our boss.” Gonzales’ admission comes after he was forced into a primary runoff against Brandon Herrera, who has criticized Gonzales on both policy and personal fronts.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona Senate Passes Republican ‘Pay-to-Play’ Reform Bill, Not Hobbs’ Plan

KJZZ – Wayne Schutsky | Published: 3/3/2026

A bill designed to give the public more information about state contractors who also donate to political campaigns passed the Arizona Senate with just Republican support, despite bipartisan calls to reform the state’s procurement and campaign finance reporting laws. The legislation would require state contractors and companies bidding on state business to disclose “anything of value” they have given to a governor or related political efforts over the past five years.

California – Secret Payments, Win Bonuses Discussed for Angel Stadium Deal, Other Projects

Los Angeles Times – Gabriel San Roman | Published: 2/28/2026

Todd Ament, an Anaheim Chamber of Commerce leader, emailed a lobbyist confidant, Jeff Flint, and asked for a meeting to discuss more than $500,000 in payments from companies with proposed projects in Anaheim. A ledger with handwritten notes suggests the two men, who later emerged as central figures in a political corruption probe into a self-described “cabal” that ran Anaheim, met sometime after the email was sent to divvy up the money. The documents offer a glimpse into a shadowy world where lobbyists collect big bounties for influencing legislation or securing contracts for clients from local government agencies without full disclosure.

California – QAnon Darling, Perennial GOP L.A. Congressional Candidate Sentenced to 4 Years for Fraud

MSN – Cierra Morgan and Clara Harter (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 2/23/2026

A Republican who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars running unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters four times was sentenced to four years in federal prison for misusing campaign funds. Omar Navarro pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud for defrauding his own election campaign. The perennial candidate had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years from prominent right-wing figures while promoting QAnon conspiracy theories but never cracked 25 percent of the vote.

California – These Public Documents Are Hidden from View. Two California Lawmakers Want to Change That

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 3/3/2026

Two California lawmakers are trying to reveal legislative documents that are technically public records but are difficult for even the most seasoned Capitol insiders to access. The documents are letters registered lobbyists and advocacy groups send the Legislature to support or oppose bills. But having to separately request letters to legislative staff for each bill before lawmakers – more than 2,000 each year – is tedious and time-consuming. Each proposal can generate dozens of letters.

California – San Jose Mayor’s Social Media Use Faces Criticism

SFGate – Keith Menconi (San Jose Spotlight) | Published: 3/2/2026

Just weeks after announcing his run for governor, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan launched two new social media accounts on X and Instagram, each one designated as a city-backed account for official messaging. The move came amid City Hall grumbles about the mayor’s longstanding practice of using individual social media accounts for both city business and to promote his own personal brand. Such complaints have grown louder as Mahan’s personal channels have turned their focus more toward promoting his gubernatorial campaign.

Colorado – Former Colorado State Senator Sentenced to Probation for Fabricating Letters Amid Ethics Investigation

KUNC – Taylor Dolven (Colorado Sun) | Published: 2/27/2026

Former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis was sentenced to two years of probation for her attempts to mislead the Colorado Senate Ethics Committee by fabricating letters of support during an investigation into her alleged mistreatment of Capitol aides. She will also have to complete 150 hours of public service and pay a $3,000 fine.

Colorado – Colorado Governor Signals Willingness to Release Tina Peters from Prison Amid Trump Pressure

Yahoo News – Colleen Slevin and Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 3/4/2026

Colorado’s Democratic governor, facing a pressure campaign from President Trump, is signaling his openness to granting clemency to a former county clerk who was convicted in a scheme that attempted to find proof of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. A social media post by Gov. Jared Polis brought swift rebuke from the state’s attorney general, secretary of state, and the association representing local election officials, who said such an action would send the wrong message to anyone seeking to interfere with elections ahead of this year’s midterms.

Illinois – Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s Proposed Ethics Reform Package Heads to a City Council Vote

Yahoo News – R. Christian Smith (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 3/4/2026

Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s promised campaign ethics reform package heads to a final City Council vote soon, but several aldermen have expressed concerns with it. The proposed regulations would prevent those who are doing business with the city or seeking a contract from donating more than $1,500 per year to candidates running for city office. It would also expand economic interest disclosures required of candidates and elected officials.

Kentucky – State Republicans Look to Reshape Louisville’s Ethics Commission

Louisville Public Media – Roberto Roldan | Published: 3/2/2026

A proposal currently before the Kentucky House would dissolve Louisville’s Ethics Commission at the end of this year, replacing all its members. House Bill 607 would require that the commission be evenly split between the two parties. One person would have to be a registered Independent or a member of a third party.

Maryland – Maryland Delegate’s Campaign Spending on Travel, Dining, and Resort Raises Legal Questions

WBFF – Gary Collins (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 3/3/2026

A review of campaign finance filings shows that first-term Del. Gary Simmons spent nearly all the money his campaign committee raised in 2025. That includes thousands of dollars on meals, out-of-state travel, and a casino. The reported expenditures raise questions about whether certain expenses complied with Maryland campaign finance law, which prohibits the personal use of donor funds.

Michigan – Up North Resort Ownership Poses More Oakland County Ethics Questions

Blue Water Healthy Living – Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 2/27/2026

Royal Oak, Michigan is about 200 miles south of the Blue Haven Beach Resort on Lake Huron. But the owners of the resort are very familiar with Royal Oak and Oakland County. The owners and their families are some of that area’s most prominent elected officials. The Up North spot and the people behind it are another example of possible ethical issues in Oakland County, where relationships, investments, and votes on public deals are under scrutiny.

Mississippi – DraftKings and Entergy Spent Over $100K on a Super Bowl Weekend for Two Mississippi Politicians, Staffers and Spouses

Mississippi Today – Michael Goldberg and Taylor Vance | Published: 3/3/2026

Sports gambling giant DraftKings and energy company Entergy spent a combined $107,398 on a 2025 Super Bowl weekend for Speaker Jason White, House Public Utilities Committee Chairperson Brent Powell, White’s staff, and a couple of their spouses. The spending was only recently made public in official lobbying reports because of Mississippi’s weak reporting requirements. In 2025, days after House lawmakers voted to legalize online betting for the second time, the speaker’s staffers enjoyed the hospitality of DraftKings at its Super Bowl festivities.

Missouri – Missouri Bill Targets ‘Date Rape’ Drugs After Lawmaker Suspects She Was Drugged

Yahoo News – Jason Hancock (Missouri Independent) | Published: 3/3/2026

When state Rep. Elizabeth Fuchs first arrived in Jefferson City as a lobbyist, a woman who had been around the Capitol longer offered advice that sounded absurd for a statehouse job. Do not drink from the “special refrigerator” in someone’s office. Do not go for one-on-one drinks after hours. Do not accept an open beverage you did not see poured. Fuchs followed the rules and then won a seat in the House. During her first session last year, she broke one rule: she took a drink from someone she did not know well. After that, her memory collapses into gaps.

New Mexico – Miyagishima Says Secretary of State Guidance Led to $125K in Excess Campaign Contributions

New Mexico In Depth – Azure Mitchell | Published: 2/27/2026

Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima’s campaign for governor exceeded New Mexico’s contribution limits by more than $125,000 of in-kind support last year. He hopes to get on the fall ballot as an independent. Miyagishima said he received guidance from a staff member of the secretary of state that made him believe the amounts were allowed. In-kind contributions are goods or services provided to a candidate, rather than monetary donations.

New York – Election Officials Say Senate Candidate Defrauded State of Over $200,000

MSN – Emilie Munson (Albany Times Union) | Published: 2/26/2026

Former state Senate candidate Caleb Slater allegedly defrauded the state of more than $200,000 in a fundraising scheme during his 2024 campaign, a probe by the New York Public Campaign Finance Board concluded. A media investigation revealed Slater allegedly paid homeless people and other individuals to make donations to his campaign in exchange for prepaid cash gift cards. Slater then reported those contributions to collect generous matching funds from the state for his campaign.

New York – Supreme Court Blocks Redrawing of Republican-Held Congressional District in New York Over Liberal Dissent

Yahoo News – John Fritze (CNN) | Published: 3/2/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court approved an emergency appeal from a Republican member of Congress from New York who asked the justices to block a state court ruling that ordered her Staten Island-based district to be redrawn ahead of the midterm election. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and state GOP election officials had urged the Supreme Court to allow New York’s current map to be used, an outcome that will benefit Republicans in the midterm amid a flurry of mid-decade redistricting in other parts of the country.

Ohio – A Dead Man’s Actions Take Center Stage in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/2/2026

Two former FirstEnergy executives have spent weeks in court facing corruption accusations. Yet much of the conversation has focused on Sam Randazzo. His death has cast a wide shadow over the trial of the company’s ex-Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-lobbyist Michael Dowling, who are accused of bribing Randazzo, a former state utility regulator. For more than a month, prosecutors and defense attorneys have sparred over Randazzo’s motivations, decisions, and his relationship with FirstEnergy.

Ohio – US Sen. Jon Husted Expected to Testify in FirstEnergy Bribery Trial, Defense Attorney Says

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/4/2026

U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is expected to testify in the bribery trial of two former FirstEnergy executives accused of bribing a former state regulator. Husted’s potential testimony has long been a matter of speculation. He was Ohio’s incoming lieutenant governor at the time that prosecutors say Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling bribed Sam Randazzo, the pick of Husted and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to chair the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The commission regulates utilities such as FirstEnergy.

Ohio – Longtime FirstEnergy Lobbyist Accused of Paying a $4.3 Million Bribe Speaks Out for the First Time

Signal Ohio – Jake Zuckerman | Published: 3/2/2026

“It’s greased.” That is how Mike Dowling, the former senior vice president of external affairs of FirstEnergy, described a complex amendment to pending legislation worth tens of millions per year to the company in a text message to the utility’s then-chief executive officer. Not long after, Ohio lawmakers rolled the amendment into House Bill 6, which also included a $1.3 billion bailout for nuclear plants owned by FirstEnergy Solutions, and sent it to Gov. Mike DeWine who signed it into law. Dowling’s deposition on the matter was shown to jurors in his corruption trial.

Ohio – An Ohio Newspaper Has a New Star Writer. It Isn’t Human.

Yahoo News – Will Oremus and Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 3/1/2026

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland’s largest newspaper, has begun to feature a new byline. On recent articles about an ice carving festival, a medical research discovery, and a roaming pack of chicken-slaying dogs, a reporter’s name is paired with the words “Advance Local Express Desk.” It means this article was drafted by artificial intelligence (AI). As once-robust metropolitan newspapers across the country lay off reporters, shutter bureaus, and scale back ambitions, the Plain Dealer is at the forefront of an industry-wide push to reimagine journalism for the AI age.  

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Board Launches Temporary Portal for Local Campaign Finance Reporting

Yahoo News – Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Watch) | Published: 3/3/2026

Oklahoma’s local election candidates can now comply with a new state campaign finance law by using a temporary electronic filing system. Oklahoma Ethics Commission officials said candidates filing for local elections will ultimately be integrated into the existing Guardian system in the coming months once upgrades are completed, but for now they can file electronically using a temporary portal.

Oklahoma – Bill to Delay Ex-Lawmakers from Becoming Lobbyists Fails Committee Vote

Yahoo News – Spencer Humphrey (KFOR) | Published: 2/25/2026

A bill that would have required former Oklahoma lawmakers to wait several years before returning to the Capitol as lobbyists failed in committee, with concerns centering on the First Amendment rights of former legislators and the groups who may want them as lobbyists. The bill’s author argues the vote shows lawmakers are beholden to special interests.

Oregon – Oregon Lawmakers Advance Bill to Revise Campaign Finance Law Despite Significant Confusion About What It Would Do

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 3/4/2026

Oregon lawmakers are moving to revise the state’s landmark 2024 campaign finance law, even as significant confusion remains about which changes are necessary and good government advocates continue to say a proposed bill would weaken the law. Several lawmakers have acknowledged House Bill 4018 is not perfect. But with key provisions of the law set to go into effect in January, they say they are running out of time to provide the secretary of state’s office the funding and guidance needed to avoid a disastrous rollout.

Oregon – Oregon House Speaker Reprimands Republican Gubernatorial Candidate for Fundraising During Session

Yahoo News – Shaanth Nanguneri (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 2/27/2026

Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey chided the chamber’s sole gubernatorial candidate, state Rep. Ed Diehl, for violating self-imposed House rules by collecting campaign donations during this year’s short legislative session. In a letter of correction sent to Diehl, Fahey urged him to return the money and refrain from accepting further contributions during the session, which must end by March 8.

Rhode Island – Ethics Panel Sets Hearing Date as Supervisor During Infamous Philly Trip Fights to Clear His Name

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 3/2/2026

A quasi-judicial public hearing before the Rhode Island Ethics Commission will put former Director of Administration James Thorson on trial for his behavior during a now-infamous state business trip to Philadelphia. Thorsen and David Patten, former state properties director, toured a site to see the work of Scout Ltd., a design firm awarded a state contract to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory in Providence. A state investigation found “probable cause” for ethical misconduct by Thorsen on the trip. Thorsen is seeking to clear his name and using a rarely invoked option to contest the findings of ethics investigators.

South Carolina – New Bill Aims to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Prosecuting Illegal Lobbying

WOLO – Lee Williams | Published: 2/26/2026

A new bill making its way through the state Legislature would get rid of the current four-year statute of limitations for prosecuting illegal lobbying. “If misconduct is uncovered five years from now or 10 years from now, the people of South Carolina still deserve justice …,”  said House Bill 5247’s sponsor, Rep. Joe White.

South Dakota – Some Ethics Documents Meant to Reveal State Board Members’ Conflicts Are Missing

Yahoo News – Joshua Haiar (South Dakota Searchlight) | Published: 2/27/2026

Nearly half of the financial disclosure documents for South Dakota gubernatorial appointees requiring state Senate approval were not available on the secretary of state’s website, sparking contradictory claims from state offices. When South Dakota’s governor makes a board or commission appointment that requires Senate approval, the appointee is legally obligated to file a financial disclosure document that can be scrutinized for conflicts-of-interest.

Tennessee – Cothren Sent $80,000 Fine for ‘Strawwoman’ PAC

Nashville Scene – Eli Motycka | Published: 3/4/2026

Tennessee campaign finance officials levied an $80,000 fine against former top Republican aide Cade Cothren for obscuring his involvement in the Faith Family Freedom PAC during the 2020 election cycle. State proceedings were delayed due to a federal trial related to Cothren’s involvement in another campaign finance violation. Cothren faced prison time for the scandal before receiving a pardon from President Trump in November.

Tennessee – Conflict of Interest? Lobbying Firm on Metro Schools Payroll Never Revealed Its Work for Major Vendor

WTVF – Phil Williams | Published: 3/3/2026

A high-powered Nashville lobbying firm now admits that while it was getting paid to advise Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), it was also secretly working for a longtime MNPS vendor that was vying for a multimillion-dollar contract. MNPS says the Ingram Group should have revealed the relationship, but the firm insists there was nothing to disclose since the person working on both contracts, former MNPS official Hank Clay, kept the clients separate.

Virginia – Virginia Court Allows a Referendum on Democratic-Led Redistricting That Could Flip 4 US House Seats

Yahoo News – Olivia Diaz (Associated Press) | Published: 3/4/2026

For the second time, Virginia’s Supreme Court ruled voters can cast ballots on a Democratic-led congressional redistricting plan that could help the party win four more U.S. House seats, as the justices review legal challenges to the effort. The court ruled a statewide referendum can be held on April 21 on whether to authorize mid-decade redistricting, upending a temporary restraining order put in place by a Tazewell County judge.