LobbyComply Blog

National/Federal

Top Fannie Mae Officials Ousted After Sounding Alarm on Sharing Confidential Housing Data

MSN – Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) | Published: 11/13/2025

A confidant of Bill Pulte, the Trump administration’s top housing regulator, provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor, alarming senior officials of the government-backed lending giant who warned it could expose the company to claims it was colluding with a rival to fix mortgage rates. While Lauren Smith, the company’s head of marketing, still holds her position, the senior Fannie Mae officials who called her conduct into question were all forced out of their jobs late, along with internal ethics watchdogs who were investigating Pulte and his allies.

Trump Names Paul Ingrassia to GSA Post After Withdrawal Over Racist Texts

MSN – Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2025

President Trump tapped Paul Ingrassia, the unsuccessful nominee to run the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), to become deputy general counsel of the General Services Administration, which oversees federal real estate. Ingrassia withdrew his OSC nomination after several GOP senators said they could not support him following reports he texted other Republicans racist slurs and said he had “a Nazi streak.” He also was subject to a sexual harassment investigation in recent months, according to Politico.

Trump Gives Second Pardon to Jan. 6 Participant and Pardons Two Others

MSN – Michael Kranish (Washington Post) | Published: 11/15/2025

President Trump issued a second pardon to Daniel Wilson, whom he had previously pardoned for participation in the breach of the Capitol but was in prison on a separate gun charge. Trump also pardoned Suzanne Kaye, who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison for threatening FBI agents who wanted to speak to her about her whereabouts on January 6, 2021.

Former Fed Official Resigned Following Ethics Probe, Document Shows

MSN – Victoria Guida (Politico) | Published: 11/15/2025

Former Federal Reserve board member Adriana Kugler stepped down from the central bank in August amid scrutiny of her financial holdings, which appeared to violate the bank’s ethics rules, according to a document detailing her trading activity. According to a document released by the Office of Government Ethics, Kugler or her husband bought and sold multiple individual stocks in 2024, a category of asset that senior Fed officials are not allowed to purchase.

The Trump Prosecutor Probing Former Top Obama Administration Officials

MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and David Ovalle (Washington Post) | Published: 11/17/2025

When Jason Reding Quiñones was hired in 2018 as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida, he was placed alongside other entry-level attorneys in the office’s boot camp for new hires. Most of those prosecutors win promotion. Reding Quiñones flunked, failing to impress his supervisors with his work ethic and legal acumen and earning poor marks on his performance evaluation. He left the office in 2024. A year later, President Trump tapped Reding Quiñones to return to the Miami-based U.S. attorney’s office as its boss. Justice Department officials have entrusted Reding Quiñones with a broad probe of Trump foes.

Despite Congressional Action, Quick Release of Epstein Files Is in Doubt

MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 11/19/2025

The House and Senate agreed to pass a bill calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all unclassified information and files related to the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department so far has continued to say nothing about how it would respond to that demand. There are many reasons to doubt that a bulk release of the files is imminent. If President Trump wanted Bondi to release all the Epstein files, he could have ordered her to do so at any point in the past six months.

House Democrats Split Over Unusual Reprimand of One of Their Own

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 11/18/2025

The House, in a rare bipartisan action, voted to rebuke a Democrat who maneuvered the timing of his retirement to all but assure his handpicked successor would win his seat without opposition. The vote of formal disapproval of Rep. Jesús García was remarkable because it was instigated by a fellow Democrat, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. All Republicans and 23 Democrats supported the measure. The reprimand carries no formal penalty other than the damage to Garcia’s reputation, which a majority of Democrats sought to defend.

Trump Administration Revives Some Funding for IG Group

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 11/18/2025

The Trump administration reversed its attempt to eliminate funding for a key government oversight group, following calls from Capitol Hill to release the congressionally approved money and protect federal watchdog activities. The defunding of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, an umbrella organization for 72 inspectors general across government, was unrelated to the federal government shutdown, and the office’s 25 employees have remained furloughed since the start of the fiscal year.

Most Corporate Trump Ballroom Donors Repped by 3 Lobbying Firms, Watchdog Says

MSN – Arden Farhi (CBS News) | Published: 11/19/2025

The majority of the corporations known to have donated to the fund for President Trump’s new White House ballroom are represented by three lobbying firms, according to a report from Public Citizen. Lobbyists from those three firms – Miller Strategies, Ballard Partners, and Michael Best Strategies – mingled with the president and executives from top technology and cryptocurrency companies in the East Room recently. Several companies retained more than one of the lobbying firms in 2025, paying hundreds of thousands annually for advocacy before Congress and the Trump administration.

Ex-Officials Could Get Lifetime Bans from Lobbying for China, Russia Under New Bipartisan Push

MSN – Morgan Phillips (Fox News) | Published: 11/18/2025

Former national security officials could soon lose their security clearances or even face lifetime bans from lobbying for foreign adversaries under new legislation introduced in the House and Senate. The three-bill package takes direct aim at Washington’s “revolving door,” closing the loopholes that have let former officials and power brokers, many with deep knowledge of U.S. defense secrets, push the interests of China, Russia, and other hostile regimes inside the U.S. government.

Justice Dept. Acknowledges Full Grand Jury Never Saw Final Comey Indictment

MSN – Salvador Rizzo and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/19/2025

Justice Department lawyers acknowledged a full grand jury never reviewed the final indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, a remarkable admission that could threaten the viability of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney N. Tyler Lemons sought to downplay the error, arguing the revised indictment was changed only to remove the count that the grand jury rejected. “The new indictment wasn’t a new indictment,” Lemons said.

Justice Dept. Charges Democratic Congresswoman with Stealing FEMA Funds

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/19/2025

Federal officials indicted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on allegations she used her family’s health care company to steal from a covid-19 vaccination contract funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and then used the money to bolster her congressional campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick was charged alongside multiple co-defendants, including her brother and her tax preparer. The House ethics committee is also investigating Cherfilus-McCormick.

Trump Family’s Business Ties to Saudi Arabia Raise Ethics Worries

Seattle Times – Vivian Nereim (New York Times) | Published: 11/18/2025

The leveraging of political relationships for personal profit is ordinary in the Persian Gulf, where hereditary ruling families hold near-total power and the term “conflict-of-interest” carries little weight. But the mixing of politics and profitmaking during President Trump’s second term has shattered American norms, shocking scholars who study ethics and corruption. Trump met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, engaging in national security talks with a foreign leader who also oversees a major construction project that is in talks over a potential deal with the Trump family business.

From the States and Municipalities

California – FBI Sent Letters to CA Lobbyists as Part of Corruption Probe Involving Ex-Newsom Chief of Staff

MSN – Lia Russell (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 11/18/2025

The FBI has read or listened to K Street and Sacramento lobbyists’ conversations as part of an ongoing corruption investigation that has so far ensnared Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, former Deputy State Attorney General Sean McCluskie, and lobbyist Greg Campbell. Letters from the Sacramento field office informed recipients their wire or electronic communications had been “intercepted” as part of its conspiracy case accusing Campbell, Williamson, and McCluskie of stealing campaign funds from former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra.

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Advances Complaints Against Democrats Who Attended Dark Money-Funded Retreat

Colorado Public Radio – Taylor Dolven (Colorado Sun) | Published: 11/19/2025

The Independent Ethics Commission will investigate complaints against state lawmakers who attended a weekend retreat with lobbyists in Vail paid for, at least in part, by a dark money group. The commission voted in favor of deeming the complaints “nonfrivolous” and allowing them to move forward. The complaints allege that 16 lawmakers who are members of the Opportunity Caucus violated Colorado’s prohibition on elected officials receiving gifts when they attended a retreat where they mingled with lobbyists at a ritzy hotel.

Colorado – Colorado Justices Weigh Disclosure Requirements for Ballot Initiative Spending

Colorado Springs Gazette – Michael Karlik (Colorado Politics) | Published: 11/18/2025

The Colorado Supreme Court considered whether an organization that spent $4 million to advocate for ballot initiatives in the 2020 election was required to disclose its donors and spending. Unite for Colorado argued it spent 10 percent or less of its money on a single ballot measure and less than 25 percent of its money on ballot measures. Therefore, Unite for Colorado did not have a “major purpose” of ballot issue advocacy that triggered disclosure. But some justices said an organization could avoid the transparency required of issue committees if it were so wealthy that its expenditures on ballot initiatives were relatively small in comparison.

Georgia – GOP Lawmaker Says Tougher Campaign Finance Penalties Needed in Response to New Georgia Project Case

Georgia Recorder – Ross Williams | Published: 11/13/2025

Stacey Abrams’ New Georgia Project is a thing of the past, but it may still be a major topic of conversation when lawmakers gather next year for the annual legislative session. The voter engagement project founded by Stacey Abrams announced it was dissolving after the Georgia Ethics Commission concluded the group violated state campaign finance law and levied a $300,000 fine, the largest for an ethics violation in state history. A GOP-led panel floated ideas for legislation that members said would discourage organizations from illegally funding candidates in the 2026 midterms and beyond.

Georgia – Georgia Prosecutor Keeps Case Against Trump Alive for Now

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2025

The head of a Georgia prosecutors board assigned himself to oversee a sprawling racketeering case against President Trump and his allies over their attempts to overturn the 2020 election, keeping alive for now litigation that has long faced trouble. Peter Skandalakis, the board’s executive director, said he was taking the case because he had not been able to find another prosecutor to take it. He said he needed time to review the extensive material and did not signal whether he would ultimately pursue the case or abandon it.

Georgia – Ethics Commission’s Advisory Opinion Deals New Setback to Chris Carr in Fundraising Fight with Burt Jones

WXIA – Zach Merchant and Reeves Jackson | Published: 11/19/2025

An advisory opinion from Georgia’s ethics commission says certain candidates can loan their own personal money to a leadership committee or PAC. At the center of the dispute is a $10 million loan that Lt. Gov. Burt Jones made to his own leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that can accept unlimited donations. State law allows only a few officials to use these committees. The attorney general is not on that list. That means Jones has access to a leadership committee but state Attorney General Chris Carr, his primary opponent in the race for governor, does not.

Illinois – Senate President Don Harmon Faces New Challenge Over Near-$10M Campaign Finance Fine

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 11/17/2025

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is facing a new challenge over a State Board of Elections staff finding that his campaign committee owes $9.8 million in fines for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state limits. The Liberty Justice Center filed a complaint with the election board regarding Harmon’s committee. The move could allow the matter to go to court and sidestep the bipartisan election panel’s stalemate on the issue.

Indiana – Indiana Likely Will Not Push Forward with Redistricting Despite Pressure from White House

MSN – Adam Wren and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 11/14/2025

President Trump’s effort to force mid-decade redistricting suffered a major setback after Indiana’s Republican Senate leader declared the chamber will not convene in December to redraw maps. It marks the fourth state where efforts have stalled despite pressure from Trump and his political team. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray announcement immediately incensed those in Trump’s orbit.

Kansas – Mayor of Tiny Kansas Town Could Be Deported Over Voter Fraud Charges

MSN – Caroline O’Donovan (Washington Post) | Published: 11/18/2025

Joe Ceballos has been winning elections in the tiny ranching town of Coldwater for more than a decade, recently securing his second mayoral term in a landslide. But Ceballos’s version of the American dream – a Mexican immigrant who became an integral part of a close-knit Kansas community – has run into a newer American phenomenon: the aggressive prosecution of alleged voter fraud by noncitizens.

Kentucky – FCPS Lobbyist Terminates Contract, Alleging ‘Monetary and Reputational Damage’

MSN – Valarie Honeycutt Spears (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 11/14/2025

In May, Piper-Smith LLC submitted a $38,000 marketing campaign to the Fayette County Public Schools to help it convince the public that a 50 percent occupational tax increase was necessary. A lobbyist for Fayette County Public Schools has terminated her contract with the district after she says her firm suffered “significant damage due to the district’s shifting information on its budget status.”

Louisiana – In Louisiana, Casinos Can’t Make Political Donations, but Sportsbooks Can, Ethics Board Says

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/14/2025

Louisiana prohibits casino companies and executives from making state political contributions, but that same ban does not apply to sports gambling operations, according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. A sport betting company and its senior management can still make political donations, even if the business is a subsidiary of a larger gambling enterprise prohibited from doing so.

Michigan – Woodward’s Firm Gave Campaign Services to Third of Commissioners He Oversees

MSN – Max Bryan (MediaNews Group) | Published: 11/13/2025

Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Dave Woodward is a paid political consultant for a business that provided campaign services to one-third of the commissioners he now oversees, records show, a situation critics see as a potential conflict-of-interest. Woodward is a partner owner of Pivot Point Strategies LLC, a firm that has provided campaign services to six fellow Democratic commissioners since the beginning of 2020, according to campaign finance reports.

Michigan – Michigan Establishes Disclosure Requirements for Earmarks in State Budget

MSN – Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/19/2025

New Michigan laws will bring greater transparency to state spending directly awarded to a specific entity, such as a nonprofit or local government, at a lawmaker’s request. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a pair of bills establishing new disclosure requirements and mandating a 45-day period for the public to learn about earmark funding proposals before lawmakers approve the spending. Earmarks do not go through the typical process for distributing public dollars in which a state department or agency evaluates which bidders should receive funding.

Michigan – Detroit’s Ethics System Under Fire as Mary Sheffield Faces First Test as Mayor-Elect

Yahoo News – Violet Ikonomova (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/18/2025

A series of recent ethical concerns involving Detroit officials, including city council President and Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, have prompted criticism of the city’s conflict-of-interest rules and the apparatus designed to ensure they are followed. Government ethics experts flagged poor advice from the Detroit Board of Ethics and policies that appear to allow officials to seek guidance from sources beyond that board, which can lead to conflicting determinations. Ethics training is lacking with less than 10 percent of Detroit’s 10,000-plus public servants having taken it.

Missouri – How a Nebraska Veteran Unwittingly Became a Repeat Donor to a Missouri County Campaign

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 11/17/2025

A Korean War veteran from Nebraska named Russell Wood made 35 donations totaling $1,050 over the last year to Bill Eigel’s campaign for St. Charles County executive. The problem is, Wood, who is 92, has never heard of Eigel or set foot in St. Charles County. He said he had no idea he had made so many donations to Eigel’s campaign. Wood appears to have been caught in an online fundraising practice that makes donations automatically repeat on a weekly or monthly basis unless the contributor changes a pre-checked box.

Nevada – Nevada Supreme Court Revives Criminal Case Over Trump Elector Gambit

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/13/2025

A unanimous Nevada Supreme Court revived the criminal case against six prominent allies of President Trump who falsely claimed to be legitimate presidential electors amid Trump’s effort to subvert the 2020 election. The justices concluded state Attorney General Aaron Ford properly brought the forgery case in Las Vegas, overruling a lower-court decision that found the case should have been brought in Carson City, where the pro-Trump elector nominees signed the false documents.

New Mexico – New Mexico Lawmaker Appeals Adverse Ruling Over Campaign Donation to Student

Courthouse News Service – Joe Duhownik | Published: 11/18/2025

New Mexico’s secretary of state engaged in content discrimination when she referred Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino’s donation to a high school student for criminal prosecution under campaign finance laws, the senator told a federal appeals court. Ortiz y Pino said a section of the state’s Campaign Reporting Act violates the First Amendment by discriminating what types of charitable contributions an elected official can make with their campaign funds.

New York – Ex-Aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams Avoids Prison Time as Federal Judge Addresses ‘Elephant in the Room’

MSN – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 11/18/2025

A former aide to outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams was sentenced to three years’ probation, including a year of home confinement, for soliciting illegal campaign contributions for Adams. But as a federal judge announced the sentence for Mohamed Bahi, a liaison to the city’s Muslim communities, he also addressed the “elephant in the room” – that Adams’ own corruption charges had been erased through a remarkable intervention by the Trump administration.

North Dakota – Campaign Finance at Heart of Latest Skirmish Between Executive Branch, ND Ethics Commission

Yahoo News – Jacob Orledge (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 11/17/2025

The secretary of state is asking for a formal legal opinion from the attorney general on the North Dakota Ethics Commission’s authority, including whether it had the right to issue a recent advisory opinion. The Legislature empowered the commission to issue advisory opinions if a public official wants to know whether an action is permitted under state law. But the governor and other elected officials say the agency has overstepped, with the conflict contributing to a stalled process to fill vacancies on the commission.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Ordered to Pay More Than $250 Million for Misconduct in Sweeping Ohio Bribery Scheme

Yahoo Finance – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 11/19/2025

Ohio utility regulators ordered FirstEnergy to pay more than $250 million in fines and refunds for its misconduct in a statehouse bribery scandal whose fallout continues five years on. Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, among the state’s most powerful politicians, and four associates were charged for their parts in an alleged $60 million racketeering scheme funded by FirstEnergy in exchange for a $1 billion nuclear plant bailout. FirstEnergy admitted to the bribes and agreed to pay $230 million to avoid prosecution.

Oklahoma – After Vote Controversy, Lawmakers and Elected Officials Will Get Thousands More in Pay

MSN – Murray Evans (The Oklahoman) | Published: 11/19/2025

State boards that determine pay for legislators and statewide elected officials have met for a second time after their actions in previous meetings were called into question because one member was a registered lobbyist and should not have been serving on the boards. The Legislative Compensation Board and the Statewide Official Compensation Commission, which have the same nine members, rescinded actions from previous meetings and updated their decisions regarding pay raises for legislators and 11 statewide positions.

Pennsylvania – Barstool Influencers Pushed Anti-Tax Message as Pa. Lawmakers Privately Debated Sports Betting Proposal

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 11/19/2025

As Pennsylvania lawmakers worked to reach a budget deal, three Barstool Sports influencers sent a message to their millions of followers: Harrisburg wants to tax your fun. Behind the scenes, Democrats were trying to sell their GOP counterparts on a deal that would increase taxes on sports betting and online gaming. The videos demonstrated the changing landscape of advocacy in a media environment where Americans flock to digital personalities for their news. They also raise questions about whether they constituted lobbying, and if Barstool Sports and its stars were registered to do such advocacy work.

South Carolina – Are All Public Charter School Districts Subject to Ethics Laws? SC Agency Says No

MSN – Zak Koeske (The State) | Published: 11/13/2025

For years, South Carolina’s ethics agency has held taxpayer-funded charter school districts to the same government accountability standards as traditional public-school districts. But that treatment, the Ethics Commission recently determined, should not have been applied to all charter school districts. Because the districts were created by private entities, the commission reasoned, they were not governmental entities, and their board members and employees were not public members or public employees.

Tennessee – Tennessee Judge Blocks Trump’s Use of National Guard in Memphis but Gives Time for Government Appeal

MSN – Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) | Published: 11/18/2025

A Tennessee judge blocked the use of the National Guard in Memphis under a crime-fighting operation by President Trump but also put the order on hold, giving the government five days to appeal. Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal’s decision sides with Democratic state and local officials who sued, contending Gov. Bill Lee cannot deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civil unrest unless there is rebellion or invasion, and even then, it would require action by state lawmakers.

Tennessee – Tennessee Registry Orders Pardoned House Staffer to Explain Troubled PAC

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 11/19/2025

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is ordering a former House staff member recently pardoned after conviction in a corruption case to testify about a PAC he secretly formed in 2020 to sway the election. The registry voted to drop a subpoena against Cade Cothren and, instead, bring him in next year to explain his actions in forming the Faith Family Freedom Fund. Registry Chairperson Tom Lawless said Cothren sent fraudulent documents, including a treasurer’s report and several emails, to the agency when he formed the PAC.

Texas – Federal Court Blocks Texas from Using New Congressional Gerrymander in 2026 Midterms

MSN – Eleanor Klibanoff (Texas Tribune) | Published: 11/18/2025

A federal appeals court panel ruled Texas cannot use its new congressional map for the 2026 election and will instead need to stick with the lines passed in 2021. The decision is a blow for Republicans, in Texas and nationally, who pushed through this unusual mid-decade redistricting at the behest of President Trump. They were hoping the new map would help protect the narrow GOP majority in the U.S. House.

Wyoming – Wyoming Legislature Reverses Course on Axing Memberships with National Associations Perceived as Too Costly, Liberal

MSN – Maggie Mullen (WyoFile) | Published: 11/20/2025

Lawmakers reversed course on the prospect of cutting ties with two national, non-partisan organizations that have long provided research and training to members and staff of the Wyoming Legislature. Wyoming pays biennial dues to the Council of State Governments West and the National Conference of State Legislatures that cost approximately $271,300 and $293,500 respectively. The value of those memberships, however, came into question during a Management Council meeting in April.

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Senate President Don Harmon Faces New Challenge Over Near-$10M Campaign Finance Fine” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Pennsylvania: “Capitol Police Arrest 18 at Protest Against Lax Pa. Campaign Finance Laws” by Tirzah Christopher (PennLive) for MSN

Elections

Kansas: “Mayor of Tiny Kansas Town Could Be Deported Over Voter Fraud Charges” by Caroline O’Donovan (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Trump Family’s Business Ties to Saudi Arabia Raise Ethics Worries” by Vivian Nereim (New York Times) for Seattle Times

National: “Despite Congressional Action, Quick Release of Epstein Files Is in Doubt” by Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) for MSN

Michigan: “Detroit’s Ethics System Under Fire as Mary Sheffield Faces First Test as Mayor-Elect” by Violet Ikonomova (Detroit Free Press) for Yahoo News

Legislative Issues

National: “House Democrats Split Over Unusual Reprimand of One of Their Own” by Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) for MSN

Redistricting

Texas: “Federal Court Blocks Texas from Using New Congressional Gerrymander in 2026 Midterms” by Eleanor Klibanoff (Texas Tribune) for MSN

National/Federal

Senate Democrats Seek to ‘Get to Bottom’ of Moreno’s Car-Data Collection

MSN – Valerie Yurk (Roll Call) | Published: 11/6/2025

A Nevada Democrat accused Sen. Bernie Moreno of privacy violations after he admitted to tracking down U.S. Senate Democrats’ vehicle identification numbers (VINs). U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen asked for unanimous consent for Moreno to submit details to the committee about how he obtained the personal VINs, whose VINs he has collected, what he intends to do with them and whether senators’ privacy was violated.

Housing Official Bill Pulte Fired Ethics Workers Who Were Looking into His Ally

MSN – Rachel Siegel (Washington Post) | Published: 11/10/2025

President Trump’s housing finance director, Bill Pulte, fired internal watchdogs at Fannie Mae who were looking into multiple complaints against a high-ranking company officer close to him. Pulte said in October he had fired dozens of Fannie Mae employees in what he said included a bid to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the mortgage giant. Yet six people familiar with the matter said those firings effectively cleared out the company’s internal watchdogs, charged with ensuring Fannie and its officials follow the law.

Shutdown Defections Spark Fury as Democrats Struggle to Unify Against Trump

MSN – Yasmeen Abutaleb, Dan Merica, and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 11/11/2025

The fury at eight Democratic-aligned senators who voted with Republicans to end the longest-ever government shutdown highlights the dramatic shift in the Democratic Party less than a year into President Trump’s second term, as voters and lawmakers argue the party needs to adopt more ruthless tactics to counter the president and claw its way back to power. Rather than try to uphold norms as Trump shatters them, they have instead decided to fight Trump with tactics they previously disdained.

Justice Department Struggles as Thousands Exit – and Few Are Replaced

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 11/10/2025

The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys since the start of the Trump administration and has backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, with the process snarled by a lack of qualified candidates, bureaucratic delays, and hiring freezes, according to people familiar with hirings in the department. Last year, roughly 10,000 attorneys worked across the Justice Department and its components. Justice Connection, an advocacy group that has been tracking departures, estimates that around 5,500 people, not all of them attorneys, have quit the department, been fired, or taken a buyout offered by the Trump administration.

First Big Foreign Agent Trial Under Trump 2.0 Set to Kick Off

MSN – Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 11/11/2025

The former aide to two New York governors charged with acting as an unregistered Chinese agent heads to federal court for the first big Foreign Agents Registration Act trial of the second Trump administration. Linda Sun, who served as a deputy chief of staff to current Gov. Kathy Hochul and worked in Andrew Cuomo’s administration before that, was indicted for allegedly using her job to benefit the Chinese government in exchange for millions in payments to her husband’s business.

Lawmakers Outraged by Provision Allowing Senators to Sue Over Jan. 6 Records

MSN – Theodoric Meyer, Marianna Sotomayor, and Riley Beggin (Washington Post) | Published: 11/12/2025

A provision tied to the investigation into the attack on the Capitol buried in the bill to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has sparked bipartisan outrage, with House Republicans vowing to try to repeal the provision later even as the House passed the bill that includes it. The bill allows Republican senators whose phone records were seized by the FBI as part of an investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith into January 6, 2021, to sue the federal government for damages. Each of them could receive $500,000, as well as legal fees. House members whose phone records were obtained would not be eligible.

Trump Administration Prepares to Fire Worker for TV Interview About SNAP

MSN – Mariana Alfaro and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2025

The Agriculture Department is preparing to fire an employee in the division that handles food benefits after she publicly warned the shutdown could have negative impacts on the millions of Americans who rely on the federal government to put food on the table. Ellen Mei, a program specialist at the Food and Nutrition Service who is furloughed, was interviewed during the early days of the shutdown to talk about how the impasse in Washington would impact her team, as well as the work they do.

House Effort to Force Vote on Releasing Epstein Files Can Advance

MSN – Kadia Goba and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 11/12/2025

A bipartisan House effort to force a vote on releasing more files related to the federal government’s investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein can now move forward. A discharge petition – a mechanism by which House lawmakers can circumvent the normal legislative process to compel votes – received the 218th signature needed to force a vote on the Epstein files. The newly sworn-in Rep. Adelita Grijalva provided the final signature, adding her name to a list of lawmakers that includes all 214 Democrats and four Republicans.

Judge Appears Skeptical of Lindsey Halligan’s Appointment as Interim US Attorney

MSN – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 11/13/2025

A federal judge expressed deep skepticism about whether a federal prosecutor handpicked by President Trump to bring criminal cases against his political rivals was legally appointed to the role. It is unclear whether U.S. District Court Judge Cameron Currie’s open doubts about the appointment of Lindsey Halligan will sink the cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. But the judge’s ruling, which she said would come before Thanksgiving, could derail both.

Democrats Swept Elections Far Beyond the Big Races in Referendum on Trump

MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 11/8/2025

Much of the attention on November 4 focused on the Democrats’ big wins in the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races, as well as in the New York mayor’s contest. But the party also won hundreds of lower-profile state and local contests, often swamping Republican incumbents with overwhelming turnout, suggesting that voters’ desire to send a message opposing President Trump was deep and wide.

Trump Pardons Giuliani, Other Allies Who Sought to Overturn 2020 Election

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/10/2025

President Donald Trump pardoned Rudy Giuliani and a host of other prominent allies involved in his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, furthering Trump’s efforts to rewrite the history of his losing campaign five years ago. The move appeared to carry no immediate practical effect as none of the more than 75 people listed have been charged with federal crimes, though several have been prosecuted in states. Still, the clemency signaled that Trump’s second administration will continue to focus on false claims of widespread voter fraud.

Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct

Seattle Times – Michael Gold (New York Times) | Published: 11/12/2025

House Democrats released emails in which Jeffrey Epstein wrote that President Trump had “spent hours at my house” with one of Epstein’s victims, among other messages that suggested the convicted sex offender believed Trump knew more about his abuse than he has acknowledged. Trump has denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation. But Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the emails raised new questions about the relationship between the two men.

Bolstered by Big Wins, Dems Eye Out-of-Reach Senate Races

Yahoo News – Elena Schneider (Politico) | Published: 11/6/2025

In the wake of Democrats’ resounding electoral wins on November 4, party candidates and strategists are strategizing how to expand their electoral opportunities in even the reddest of states in 2026, when President Trump will not be on the ballot and Republicans will face the traditional headwinds of a midterm cycle. Before Democrats flipped at least 13 Virginia House of Delegate seats and won gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia by double-digit margins, their chances to snag seats deep into Trump territory seemed out of reach. Now they are feeling more bullish.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Why Arizona Child Welfare Leaders Gave Hobbs Donor a 30% Raise After First Saying No

USA Today – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 11/12/2025

A group home operator that launched a six-figure spending campaign to support Gov. Katie Hobbs gave Arizona child welfare leaders an ultimatum: pay more for its services, or it would find work elsewhere. There was no good choice, said David Lujan, then-director of the Department of Child Safety who approved that special rate hike for Sunshine Residential Homes in 2023. The decision was difficult in part because of Sunshine Residential’s political support of Hobbs – Lujan’s boss – and the shadow it cast on the department’s decision-making.

California – Ex-Aide to California Governor Indicted for Alleged Theft of Campaign Funds from Ex-Health Secretary

MSN – Trân Nguyễn and Jaimie Ding (Associated Press) | Published: 11/12/2025

Dana Williamson, a former top aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was indicted on federal charges alleging her involvement in a scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. The indictment lists four other co-conspirators. It alleges Williamson developed a plan with Sean McCluskie, a longtime Becerra aide, to siphon money from one of Becerra’s dormant state campaign accounts to give to McCluskie to pad his salary after he accepted a job as his chief of staff in Washington.

California – Ex-S.F. Human Rights Chief Sheryl Davis Hit with Slew of Ethics Charges

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/7/2025

San Francisco ethics investigators accused former human rights chief Sheryl Davis of breaking city and state laws that bar conflicts of interest and the acceptance of improper gifts, setting the stage for an unusual mini-trial at City Hall. The 31-count charging document opens a new front in the long-running public integrity saga surrounding Davis, the former executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

District of Columbia – Jury Finds D.C. ‘Sandwich Guy’ Not Guilty of Assaulting Officer

MSN – Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2025

A jury acquitted a District of Columbia man who was charged with assault after throwing a sandwich at a federal agent during President Trump’s crime crackdown in the capital. The one-sided food fight became a slapstick symbol of resistance to Trump’s summertime takeover of local law enforcement. The defendant, Sean Dunn, said he was speaking out against fascism and anti-migrant policies from the Trump administration.

District of Columbia – DOJ Is Investigating Bowser’s Qatar Trip but Says Mayor Is Not a Target

MSN – Perry Stein, Emily Davies, Salvador Rizzo, Meagan Flynn, and Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2025

The U.S. attorney’s office in Washington has been investigating a trip that District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and four aides took to Qatar in 2023, but the mayor is not a target, according to law enforcement and other administration officials. Bowser and four staff members traveled to Qatar in December 2023 for meetings on economic development. The trip was partially paid for by the Qatari government. Such payments for travel are legal but subject to restrictions.

Hawaii – Hawaii House Speaker Wants Probe of Lawmaker in Corruption Case

Yahoo News – Peter Boylan (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) | Published: 11/11/2025

Hawaii House Speaker Nadine Nakamura is asking law enforcement officials to investigate allegations that an unnamed state lawmaker accepted $35, 000 in campaign contributions in January 2022 during a federal public corruption probe. That probe ended the public service careers of former state Rep. Ty J.K. Cullen. and ex-state Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English. Cullen made consensually recorded telephone calls and recorded in-person meetings with “investigative subjects of our public corruption investigation,” according to a federal court filing detailing how Cullen helped the FBI.

Illinois – Judge Says Immigration Officers’ Use of Force in Chicago ‘Shocks the Conscience’

MSN – Kim Bellware and David Nkamura (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2025

A federal judge delivered a damning condemnation of the use of force in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign in this city, saying officers have unnecessarily terrorized local residents who have sought to peacefully protest or document their actions. U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis cited several examples of what she said was evidence of excessive force that contradicted statements from federal authorities who defended the actions of immigration officers who used tear gas, pepper spray, or other nonlethal crowd control devices.

Kansas – A Kansas County Agrees to Pay $3 Million and Apologize Over a Raid on a Small-Town Newspaper

Yahoo News – John Hanna and Heather Hollingsworth (Associated Press) | Published: 11/12/2025

A rural Kansas county agreed to pay more than $3 million and apologize over a law enforcement raid on a small-town weekly newspaper in August 2023 that sparked an outcry over press freedom. Marion County sheriff’s officers were involved in the raid on the Marion County Record and helped draft search warrants used by city police to enter the newspaper’s offices, the publisher’s home, and the home of a local city council member.

Louisiana – Former Louisiana House Speaker Indicted for Theft of Cypress Artifact

Yahoo News – Greg LaRose (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/12/2025

Former Louisiana House Speaker Louisiana Clay Schexnayder was charged with felony theft in connection with a missing piece of historic cypress that had been on display at the State Capitol and was last seen at his legislative office in Gonzales. The 20-foot by six-foot piece of cypress, taken from a tree believed to have been nearly 1,300 years old when it was harvested. It was gifted to the state in 1955.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Raises Questions About Judges’ Campaign Transparency

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/7/2025

Three elected judges in Louisiana are leveraging a new privacy law to remove their home addresses and spouse’s work addresses from the state’s public campaign finance database that tracks political donations and spending. Judges can demand a large swath of personal information be taken down from government and privately-operated websites under a law that went into effect in February. The statute conflicts with longstanding laws meant to ensure government and election transparency the state ethics board traditionally follows.

Louisiana – Orleans Sheriff Says She Missed Campaign Report Deadline Because Her Attorney Was Incarcerated

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/7/2025

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson successfully argued she should not have to pay the full fine for missing a campaign reporting deadline because her attorney was incarcerated at the time. The Louisiana Board of Ethics voted to reduce Hutson’s fine for filing the annual report for the Orleans Jedi Guardian PAC, where she is the chairperson, three weeks late.

Louisiana – Louisiana Officials, Candidates Can Use Campaign Cash for D.C. Mardi Gras, Ethics Board Confirms

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/10/2025

The Louisiana Board of Ethics confirmed that elected officials and political candidates can use their campaign money for expenses related to Washington Mardi Gras following a law change earlier this year. Washington Mardi Gras is an annual, four-day festival held in the nation’s capital featuring a formal Mardi Gras ball, parade, black-tie gala, business luncheons, political fundraisers, and several parties thrown by and for the politically connected. Some of Louisiana’s large companies and lobbyists are among the most visible sponsors of the event.

Michigan – Michigan Senate Hopeful Pugh Faces Scrutiny Over Campaign Funds, Nonprofit Allocations

MLive – Justin Engel | Published: 11/5/2025

A Democrat campaigning for the state Senate is facing scrutiny over a series of spending decisions involving money provided to organizations tied to her. Pugh defended herself to the Saginaw City Council, which could reverse its decision to allocate $210,000 in federal stimulus funds to Just In Transition-Indaba. The initiative is the product of a nonprofit, Regeneration LLC, co-founded by Pugh. She also was the focus of a media report that stated she directed about $10,000 in leftover cash from a failed 2024 U.S. House campaign to herself and her consulting firm.

Michigan – Michigan’s New Political Transparency Portal Delayed by Months, Company Isn’t Meeting State Goals

MSN – Simon Schuster (Bridge Michigan) | Published: 11/11/2025

Michigan’s new political transparency portal was delayed by months amid growing tensions between state officials and the contractor hired to build the system. The Michigan Transparency Network is meant to be an integrated system for campaign finance, lobbying, and personal financial disclosures. But the online system has become a longstanding headache for the Michigan Department of State. Tyler Technologies, the sole qualified bidder for the $9 million contract, has struggled to follow through on project goals.

Michigan – Complaint Argues DTE-Tied Group Aimed to Funnel $100k into Unlock Michigan Campaign

Yahoo News – Kyle Davidson (Michigan Advance) | Published: 11/11/2025

A Michigan nonprofit with ties to one of the state’s largest energy companies is accused of participating in a “dark money” scheme to funnel money into an effort to overturn the governor’s COVID-19 emergency powers. The complaint alleges Michigan Energy First, a group linked to DTE Energy, violated the Campaign Finance Act by working to funnel $100,000 into the Unlock Michigan campaign in 2020.

Michigan – Second Staffer Tied to Republican Consulting, Petition Firm Ousted from Michigan Senate

Yahoo News – Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) | Published: 11/11/2025

Meghan Reckling, a Michigan Senate staffer who also co-founded the Republican Victory Field Operations, resigned from her post in the office of state Sen. Lana Thies, a move that followed another Senate staff member’s shuffle to the House over fallout involving their outside consulting work. Reckling left her job acting as chief of staff for Theis following the Senate Business Office giving her an ultimatum of resigning from the Senate or keeping her connection to Victory Field Operations.

Mississippi – Supreme Court Takes Up Dispute Over Counting of Late-Arriving Mail Ballots

MSN – Melissa Quinn (CBS News) | Published: 11/10/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court said it will decide whether federal law prohibits states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. The legal battle before the court involves Mississippi’s procedures for counting late-arriving absentee ballots but comes as the justices are considering whether to revive a member of Congress’s lawsuit challenging a similar law in Illinois.

Missouri – Inside Mysterious Push to Block Signature-Gathering Against Missouri Redistricting

MSN – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 11/10/2025

As thousands of Missourians sign onto a campaign to strike down the state’s gerrymandered congressional map, a mysterious consulting contract appears to signal a targeted effort to halt the vote. The source of the contract remains a mystery. But its existence appears to illustrate a broader, tactical push to stymie Missouri from holding a referendum to repeal the map. This comes amid a series of attacks from state officials and a new opposition group backed by national Republicans.

Missouri – PAC Tied to Jay Ashcroft’s 2024 Missouri Governor Campaign Fined for Violating Ethics Laws

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 11/11/2025

The PAC backing Republican Jay Ashcroft’s 2024 bid for governor improperly coordinated with his campaign on a letter attacking his opponents, according to a consent agreement approved by the Missouri Ethics Commission. The Committee for Liberty, which spent $2.9 million promoting Ashcroft’s losing effort, must pay $536 and avoid future violations.

New Jersey – Former Rutgers Athletics Director Facing Potential Sanctions from State Ethics Board

MSN – Steve Politi (Newark Star-Ledger) | Published: 11/12/2025

The New Jersey State Ethics Commission launched a preliminary investigation into former Rutgers athletic director Patrick Hobbs that could result in significant fines or bar him from holding a state job in the future. The commission is looking into whether Hobbs violated the state’s conflict-of-interest laws when he failed to recuse himself from personnel matters involving former Rutgers gymnastics coach Umme Salim-Beasley while the two were engaged in a personal relationship.

New York – Anti-Mamdani PAC Made End Run Around Campaign Spending Rules

MSN – Greg Smith and Mia Hollie (The City) | Published: 11/12/2025

In the final days of the New York City mayoral campaign, a secretive PAC called Put NYC First steered more than $8 million from wealthy donors into independent spending committees attacking Zohran Mamdani and, in some cases, supporting Andrew Cuomo. A media investigation found Put NYC First and at least one of the independent spenders it funded appear to have secretly choreographed some of their efforts with Cuomo’s campaign, which is forbidden by campaign finance rules.

New York – Kennedy Grandson Jack Schlossberg Announces 2026 Congressional Bid

MSN – Victoria Bisset (Washington Post) | Published: 11/12/2025

Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, announced he will run for Congress next year. Schlossberg said he would be seeking the Democratic nomination to replace longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District. Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg.

Oregon – Oregon Lawmakers Quietly Hire Their Family Members with Taxpayer Money – an Little Oversight

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 11/8/2025

At least five legislative aides related to their boss have quietly collected taxpayer-funded paychecks this year while infrequently being spotted in the Oregon Capitol and leaving behind few traces of substantial work in records. This inconspicuous practice has flown under the radar partly because legislative aides are subject to few oversight or transparency requirements that are common in other government jobs, such as performance reviews or attendance tracking.

Oregon – Judge Rules Trump Administration Failed to Meet Legal Requirements for Deploying Troops to Portland

MSN – Claire Rush and Gene Johnson (Associated Press) | Published: 11/7/2025

A federal judge in Oregon ruled President Trump’s administration failed to meet the legal requirements for deploying the National Guard to Portland after the city and state sued to block the deployment. The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, followed a three-day trial in which both sides argued over whether protests at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions for using the military domestically under federal law.

Tennessee – Trump Pardons Former Tennessee House Speaker, Top Aide Awaiting Prison

MSN – Natalie Allison (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2025

President Donald Trump pardoned former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former top aide just weeks after they were sentenced to prison on public corruption charges. Casada was sentenced to three years in federal prison on charges related to a kickback and bribery arrangement involving the Legislature’s state-funded constituent mailer program. Cade Cothren, previously Casada’s chief of staff, was also convicted of fraud and related federal charges and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Utah – Judge Adopts Utah Congressional Map Creating a Democratic-Leaning District for 2026

MSN – Hannah Schoenbaum (Associated Press) | Published: 11/11/2025

A Utah judge rejected a new congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers, adopting an alternate proposal creating a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans hold all four of Utah’s U.S. House seats and had advanced a map poised to protect them. Judge Dianna Gibson ruled the Legislature’s new map “unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats.”

Wisconsin – Following Lead of Federal GOP, Wisconsin Lawmakers Take Up Credit Card Political Contributions Bill

Yahoo News – Baylor Spears (Wisconsin Examiner) | Published: 11/13/2025

Wisconsin lawmakers considered proposals to crack down on political contributions made with credit cards online and to provide additional information on constitutional amendment proposals to voters during a Senate Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs Committee meeting. Senate Bill 403 would prohibit a political committee, political party, or conduit from accepting contributions that are made with a credit card online unless the contributor provides their credit card verification value or code and the billing address associated with the card is located in the United States.

Campaign Finance

California: “Ex-Aide to California Governor Indicted for Alleged Theft of Campaign Funds from Ex-Health Secretary” by Trân Nguyễn and Jaimie Ding (Associated Press) for MSN

New York: “Anti-Mamdani PAC Made End Run Around Campaign Spending Rules” by Greg Smith and Mia Hollie (The City) for MSN

Ethics

Arizona: “Why Arizona Child Welfare Leaders Gave Hobbs Donor a 30% Raise After First Saying No” by Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) for USA Today

National: “Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct” by Michael Gold (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Kansas: “A Kansas County Agrees to Pay $3 Million and Apologize Over a Raid on a Small-Town Newspaper” by John Hanna and Heather Hollingsworth (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

New Jersey: “Former Rutgers Athletics Director Facing Potential Sanctions from State Ethics Board” by Steve Politi (Newark Star-Ledger) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Michigan: “Second Staffer Tied to Republican Consulting, Petition Firm Ousted from Michigan Senate” by Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

National: “First Big Foreign Agent Trial Under Trump 2.0 Set to Kick Off” by Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Louisiana: “Louisiana Officials, Candidates Can Use Campaign Cash for D.C. Mardi Gras, Ethics Board Confirms” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

Michigan: “Complaint Argues DTE-Tied Group Aimed to Funnel $100k into Unlock Michigan Campaign” by Kyle Davidson (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News

Michigan: “Michigan’s New Political Transparency Portal Delayed by Months, Company Isn’t Meeting State Goals” by Simon Schuster (Bridge Michigan) for MSN

Missouri: “PAC Tied to Jay Ashcroft’s 2024 Missouri Governor Campaign Fined for Violating Ethics Laws” by Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Justice Department Struggles as Thousands Exit – and Few Are Replaced” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Shutdown Defections Spark Fury as Democrats Struggle to Unify Against Trump” by Yasmeen Abutaleb, Dan Merica, and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Redistricting

Missouri: “Inside Mysterious Push to Block Signature-Gathering Against Missouri Redistricting” by Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) for MSN

Utah: “Judge Adopts Utah Congressional Map Creating a Democratic-Leaning District for 2026” by Hannah Schoenbaum (Associated Press) for MSN

National/Federal

Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts

MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2025

Many publicly identified donors to President Trump’s White House ballroom have business before the administration, ranging from billions of dollars in contracts to federal investigations of their companies, according to a report released by Public Citizen. The White House donor list was not comprehensive, Public Citizen noted, which limited the scope of the review. The New York Times reported Trump’s fundraisers have been circulating donation pledge forms that give people the option of withholding their identities from public disclosure.

Justice Dept. Defends Lindsey Halligan Against Unlawful-Appointment Criticism

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2025

Justice Department lawyers defended Lindsey Halligan’s role as eastern Virginia’s top federal prosecutor, saying in court filings that even if her appointment as U.S. attorney is ruled invalid, she now has an additional title that will allow her to continue overseeing cases against two of President Trump’s perceived foes. The department attorneys said Attorney General Pam Bondi designated Halligan as a “special attorney” to the Justice Department, assigned to oversee the cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Pentagon Readying Thousands of Guard ‘Reaction Forces’ as U.S. Mission Widens

MSN – Alex Horton and David Ovalle (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2025

The Pentagon ordered thousands of specialized National Guard personnel to complete civil unrest mission training over the next several months, an indication the Trump administration’s effort to send uniformed military forces into urban centers, once reserved for extraordinary emergencies, could become the norm. The newly established “quick reaction force” within the National Guard must be trained, equipped with riot-control gear, and ready for deployment by January 1, according to internal documents.

Foreign Agents Look to Influence Conservative Think Tanks in Trump’s Washington

MSN – Robert Schmad (Washington Examiner) | Published: 11/5/2025

Foreign agents are working eagerly to promote the causes of the nations that pay their salaries by reaching out to think tanks that have historically shaped conservative policymaking, Department of Justice filings show, even as the broader conservative movement has become increasingly skeptical of foreign entanglements following the GOP’s 2024 electoral victories. Foreign agents disseminated information to a trio of conservative think tanks, invited their scholars to participate in events, held meetings with staffers, and sought to gain information about the American policy landscape from them.

Judge Orders White House to Restore Sign Language Interpreters at Briefings by Trump, Leavitt

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/4/2025

A federal judge ordered the White House to restore real-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation at all press briefings conducted by President Trump or press secretary Karoline Leavitt. U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali said the White House’s decision to end ASL interpretation illegally excluded deaf Americans from crucial updates from the government on matters of war, the economy, and public health. Evidence shows, Ali noted, that closed captioning and transcripts are insufficient alternatives.

Judge Scolds Comey Prosecutors for ‘Indict First and Investigate Second’ Approach

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/5/2025

A federal judge scolded the prosecutors pursuing charges against former FBI Director James Comey for what he described as their “indict first and investigate second” approach to the case, saying it has placed an unfair burden on Comey’s defense. U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick described the Justice Department’s handling of the case as “highly unusual” and ordered its attorneys to hand over a raft of potential evidence. That material includes full transcripts of U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan’s presentation to the grand jury that indicted Comey on counts of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.

Trump Moves to Block Public Servants from Loan Forgiveness Based on Ideology

MSN – Danielle Douglas-Gabriel (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2025

Employees of nonprofit organizations that work with undocumented immigrants, provide gender transition care for minors, or engage in public protests would have a hard time getting their federal student loans forgiven under regulations advanced by the Education Department. The rule revises eligibility requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. It will allow the education secretary to disqualify employers, not individuals, who engage in activities the department deems to have a “substantial illegal purpose” on or after July 1, when the rule takes effect.

DOJ Faces Ethics Nightmare with Trump Bid for $230M Settlement

MSN – Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) | Published: 10/31/2025

The Department of Justice is facing pressure to back away from a request from President Trump for a $230 million settlement stemming from his legal troubles, as critics say it raises a dizzying number of ethical issues. Trump has argued he deserves compensation for the scrutiny into his conduct, describing himself as a victim of both a special counsel investigation into the 2016 election and the classified documents case. The decision, however, falls to a cadre of attorneys who previously represented Trump personally.

FBI Fires, Rehires, Then Fires Again Agents Assigned to Trump Case

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

The FBI fired four agents who worked on the investigation during the Biden administration related to Donald Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. FBI Director Kash Patel had initially fired the agents the day before, but after pushback from District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and others he reinstated them the same day, the people familiar with the matter said. Patel fired them again. Pirro attempted to save at least some of the agents because they were working on cases important to her office.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement

The Hill – Mike Lillis | Published: 11/6/2025

Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection for another term, closing the book on a storied, four-decade career through which she rewrote history as the country’s first female House speaker, advanced some of the most consequential legislation of the modern era, and secured her place as among the most powerful, if polarizing, lawmakers ever to serve in Congress.

Federal Judge Rules Trump Can’t Require Citizenship Proof on the Federal Voting Form

Yahoo News – Ali Swenson and Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 10/31/2025

President Trump’s request to add a documentary proof of citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form cannot be enforced, a federal judge. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled the proof-of-citizenship directive is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers, dealing a blow to the administration and its allies who have argued such a mandate is necessary to restore public confidence that only Americans are voting in U.S. elections.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Ontario Labour Minister’s Wife Lobbied for Advocate of Colleges That Got Millions in Grants: Records

CTV – John Woodward | Published: 10/30/2025

The wife of Ontario’s labor minister registered to lobby for an advocacy group for career colleges, and two of its members received millions of dollars from a government fund overseen by the minister, according to lobbyist registry records. The filings say Faith Chipman never registered to directly lobby her husband, Labor Minister David Piccini, to access the province’s controversial $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund.

California – A Day in the Life of a California Lobbyist

Comstock’s Magazine – Scott Thomas Anderson | Published: 11/4/2025

Rob Grossglauser has worked inside the state Capitol for 24 years. Throughout his time in Sacramento, he has learned that being an effective advocate for his lobbying clients is about having a reputation lawmakers can trust. That confidence, in turn, is built on maintaining relationships through mutual respect, personal integrity and being a source of reliable information. Grossglauser is the founding partner of Pinnacle Advocacy.

California – Meet the McOskers: How one South Bay family wields power at City Hall

MSN – Noah Goldberg (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/6/2025

For decades, the McOskers, a large, tight-knit family from San Pedro, have wielded power at Los Angeles City Hall. Unlike the Garcettis and the Hahns, the McOskers have not served in citywide or countywide elected office. But their breadth of influence in Los Angeles politics over the last quarter century may be unparalleled.

California – ‘Completely Inappropriate’: S.F. weighs proposal to weaken shield for ethics watchdogs

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/30/2025

For more than three decades, a key legal provision has ensured that San Francisco’s ethics watchdogs can freely punish City Hall officials for flouting the law, even their powerful bosses. But up for discussion is whether to remove that protection as part of a broader overhaul of San Francisco’s myriad oversight boards and commissions.

California – Coachella Mayor Indicted on Charges of Perjury, Conflict of Interest Over Downtown Development

MSN – Rebecca Plevin (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/30/2025

A grand jury indicted Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez on nine counts, including one felony charge of violating conflict-of-interest rules related to government contracts and four felony counts of perjury. If convicted as charged, Hernandez would be barred from public office for life and face more than seven years in state prison.

California – Newsom Wins on Proposition 50, Setting the Stage for Calif. Redistricting

MSN – Anabel Sosa (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/4/2025

In a landslide election, California voters approved Proposition 50, a ballot measure that reconfigures the state’s congressional map temporarily in a response to Republican gerrymandering efforts in other states. The approved measure will set the stage for a competitive midterm election next year as Democrats go head-to-head with Republicans in their battle to win back the House.

Colorado – Ethics Complaints Filed Against Democratic State Lawmakers Who Attended Vail Retreat with Lobbyists

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven and Jesse Paul | Published: 11/5/2025

Ethics complaints were filed with the Independent Ethics Commission against several state lawmakers alleging they violated Colorado’s prohibition on elected officials receiving gifts when they attended a retreat in Vail where they mingled with lobbyists at a ritzy hotel. The complaints ask the commission to investigate if the lawmakers who attended the retreat violated the state’s gift ban by having their lodging paid for by the nonprofit One Main Street.

Connecticut – Subpoenas Issued to Five Election Candidates in CT for Finance Records Including Two State Reps.

MSN – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 11/5/2025

Connecticut’s election watchdog moved to subpoena the campaign committees of two state legislators reelected last year using public financing and two losing candidates to explain how they spent state election grants that financed their 2024 campaigns. After every election, the State Elections Enforcement Commission randomly selects candidate committees for post-election reviews of their record-keeping and reporting. When candidates fail to provide campaign finance records, the SEEC falls back on its subpoena authority to encourage or compel compliance and production.

Connecticut – Corruption Conviction Could Cost Former Connecticut Official $75,000 Annual Pension

Yahoo News – Paul Hughes (CT Insider) | Published: 10/30/2025

The public corruption convictions his defense lawyer said expose Konstantinos Diamantis to a “catastrophic sentence” in a federal prison could cost the 69-year-old former Connecticut budget official and legislator his $75,000-a-year state pension. To date, 31 court actions have been filed to reduce or revoke state and local government officials and workers, according to the attorney general’s office. The outcomes have been mixed.

District of Columbia – Trial Starts for Assault Case Against DC Man Who Tossed Sandwich at Federal Agent on Viral Video

Yahoo News – Associated Press | Published: 11/3/2025

Throwing a sandwich at a federal agent turned Sean Charles Dunn into a symbol of resistance against President Trump’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital. Federal prosecutors are now trying to persuade a jury of fellow District of Columbia residents that Dunn simply broke the law. That could be a tough sell for the government in a city that has chafed against Trump’s federal takeover. A grand jury refused to indict Dunn on a felony assault count before U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office opted to charge him instead with a misdemeanor.

Florida – Uthmeier’s Brief Tenure at GrayRobinson Raises Potential Ethical Issues

Yahoo News – Jeffrey Schweers (Orlando Sentinel) | Published: 11/2/2025

When James Uthmeier took a leave of absence from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration so he could run the governor’s flailing presidential campaign in 2023, he also signed up with one of Florida’s most powerful and politically connected law firms, which regularly lobbies the state of on behalf of its clients. Uthmeier’s stint at the private practice raises ethical and legal questions about the Republican attorney now running for the job of Florida’s top prosecutor.

Illinois – Mayor Brandon Johnson Blocked Attempts to Search for Gifts He Accepted Without Reporting Them as Required: Inspector general

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 11/4/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson twice blocked the city’s watchdog from searching for gifts he accepted on behalf of the city without reporting them as required, Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said. In addition, Johnson’s staff did not turn a small City Hall room into a storage room for the gifts he accepted on behalf of the city until February, after Witzburg first revealed he had quietly accepted “cufflinks, designer handbags, and men’s shoes,” and failed to document those gifts, according to Witzburg’s report.

Maine – Bipartisan Former Officials, Billionaires Defend Restrictions on Money in Politics in Maine Lawsuit

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 10/30/2025

Republican and Democratic former governors and members of Congress, billionaires, and democracy reform organizations are coming to the defense of Maine’s law in a case over the legality of campaign finance restrictions. This broad support was demonstrated in friend of the court briefs filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Maryland – Maryland State Senator Charged with Extorting Ex-Consultant Over an Affair

MSN – Perry Stein, Katie Mettler, and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2025

Federal officials charged Maryland Sen. Dalya Attar with extortion in a plot that allegedly involved surreptitious recordings of a political foe in bed with a romantic partner. Attar allegedly threatened to expose the foe’s affair to prevent her from saying negative things about Attar’s 2022 candidacy, according to an indictment. Attar, her brother, and a third co-defendant are charged with eight counts related to extortion and wiretapping.

Maryland – Md. Gov. Wes Moore Starts Redistricting Process Despite Key Opposition

MSN – Erin Cox (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore took the first step to starting a mid-cycle redistricting process, moving forward despite staunch opposition from the state Senate president, a fellow Democrat key to making it happen. Moore announced a redistricting commission that will draft proposed congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, pushing for deep-blue Maryland to join a political redistricting arms race, instigated by President Trump, that now involves a dozen states.

Massachusetts – Quincy Mayor’s Campaign Pays $55K to Resolve Campaign Finance Violations

WBUR – Chris Van Buskirk | Published: 11/5/2025

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch’s campaign paid a $55,000 penalty to resolve allegations that in 2022 and 2023, it received thousands of dollars in illegal corporate contributions, anonymous donations, prohibited checks, and donations where the true source of the money was not clear. The mayor’s campaign committee paid $15,000 to the state and another $40,000 to charities of his choice to resolve the matter.

Michigan – Ethics Rules Didn’t Require Sheffield to Disclose Past Relationship with Demolition Contractor

BridgeDetroit – Malachi Barrett | Published: 10/31/2025

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield sought opinions from the city’s ethics board before voting on contracts that involved a demolition contractor with whom she had a personal relationship. The ethics board, charged with interpreting the rules laid out in the city charter and in council legislation, said she had no conflict-of-interest in the matter. Conrad Mallett, corporation counsel for the city, said an executive order that prohibits employees from having relationships with people involved with contracts they oversee did not apply to council members.

Michigan – Former Lobbyist Files Complaint Against Group Helping Fund Governors’ International Trade Missions

Yahoo News – Kyle Davidson (Michigan Advance) | Published: 11/4/2025

A nonprofit providing funding support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s overseas trade missions is the subject of a lobbying law complaint. The complaint accused the Michigan Economic Development Foundation of skirting state law requiring lobbyists to register. It notes that members of the foundation’s board receive “extraordinary access to meetings with lobby able officials” while some members are invited to travel with the governor and other public officials, The Detroit News found companies with seats on the board received about $2.2 billion in economic development incentives from the Whitmer Administration.

Montana – AG: Anti-dark-money ballot initiative doesn’t meet legal requirements

Yahoo News – Micah Drew (Daily Montanan) | Published: 10/30/2025

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen rejected a ballot initiative seeking to limit the power of corporations to spend money on elections, saying it did not meet legal review standards. The proposed ballot measure would amend the state constitution to redefine the powers of corporations (“artificial persons” under the constitution) to state they have no power to spend money “or anything of value on elections or ballot issues.”

New Jersey – The First-Term Democrat Facing a Trump Prosecution

MSN – Anna Liss-Roy (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

To hear the Trump administration tell it, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver attacked an immigration officer. McIver says she is being unfairly prosecuted as part of a broader campaign of political intimidation. McIver was charged with three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding, and interfering with federal officers during a clash outside a New Jersey detention facility. Exactly what happened during the 68-second encounter between McIver and federal agents at the facility could soon be addressed at trial, if a federal judge decides the case should move forward. That decision is expected imminently.

New Jersey – Sherrill Defeats Ciattarelli in Hotly Contested N.J. Governor’s Race

Yahoo News – Brent Johnson, Brianna Kudisch, and Jelani Gibson (Newark Star Ledger) | Published: 11/5/2025

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill was elected as New Jersey’s next governor, decisively defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a nationally watched race considered an early referendum on President Trump’s new presidency and securing her party a rare third straight term in the seat. Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, will become just the second woman governor, and first Democratic woman to hold the job.

New Jersey – Former Gov. Jim McGreevey and James Solomon Advance to Runoff in Race for Jersey City Mayor

Yahoo News – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 11/4/2025

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey is going another round in his attempted political comeback, more than two decades after he resigned from office. McGreevey will take on James Solomon in a December 2 runoff election in the race for mayor of Jersey City, the state’s second-largest city.

New York – Mamdani Wins New York City Mayoral Race, in a Historic Victory for Progressives

NPR – Rachel Treisman | Published: 11/4/2025

Zohran Mamdani will be the next mayor of New York City, becoming the first Muslim and person of South Asian descent, as well as the youngest in over a century, to hold the position. It is a remarkable ascent for Mamdani, who was a relatively unknown state Assembly member representing a district in Queens when he entered the crowded mayoral race last year. He went on to win June’s Democratic primary by 12 percentage points, quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular and polarizing politicians along the way.

North Carolina – N.C. GOP Spokesman Urges Reporter to Drop News Story, Citing Trump Ties

MSN – Brianna Tucker (Washington Post) | Published: 11/2/2025

North Carolina Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer appeared to threaten the news outlet ProPublica – citing “connections” to the Trump administration – over a story it reported and ultimately published on conservative state Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby. After the story was published, Mercer doubled down in a social media post, urging President Trump to “feed ProPublica to the USAID wood chipper,” referring to the president’s termination of thousands in funding and grants from the foreign aid agency earlier this year.

North Dakota – 1 Named to North Dakota Ethics Commission, Other 2 Seats Still in Limbo

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 10/31/2025

State officials chose former Office of Management and Budget Director Pam Sharp to fill one of the three open seats on the North Dakota Ethics Commission but remain divided on the reappointment of one commissioner. The selection committee must appoint commissioners by a consensus vote. They have been meeting since August to select the commission’s next members. The committee is at a standstill over whether to appoint Commissioner Murray Sagsveen to another term.

Ohio – Ohio Redistricting Commission Unanimously OKs Map of New Congressional Districts

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/31/2025

The Ohio Redistricting Commission passed a bipartisan congressional redistricting plan that gives Republicans an advantage in 12 of Ohio’s 15 U.S. House districts starting next year. The plan, passed unanimously by the seven-member commission, comes after a last-minute deal between Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to avoid giving GOP lawmakers the chance next month to unilaterally pass a more lopsidedly advantageous map.

Virginia – Virginia Elects Spanberger as First Female Governor on Big Night for Democrats

MSN – Gregory Schneider (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first woman elected governor of Virginia, winning with a pragmatic focus on the economy on a night when her party swept all three statewide offices and made gains in the House of Delegates, amid promises to defend the state against President Trump’s policies. Her political record of winning in a conservative congressional district and brokering bipartisan deals in Washington, positioned Spanberger for a landmark win in this purple state.

Virginia – Democrat Jay Jones Wins Virginia Attorney General’s Race

MSN – Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2025

DemocratJay Jones was projected to become Virginia’s next attorney general, according to the Associated Press, riding a wave of enthusiasm for his party to overcome a scandal over violent text messages he sent years ago that nearly toppled his campaign. His victory over incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares makes Jones, the 36-year-old scion of a prominent Norfolk family of civil rights leaders, the first African American to be elected to an office he hopes to use as a bulwark against the Trump administration.

Virginia – Virginia Senate Approves Mid-Decade Redistricting Amendment in Party-Line Vote

Yahoo News – Markus Schmidt (Virginia Mercury) | Published: 10/31/2025

The Virginia General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers the authority to redraw the commonwealth’s congressional districts mid-decade. The amendment comes amid a national wave of redistricting fights, with Republican-led states having recently pursued mid-cycle map changes, a trend Virginia Democrats say threatens to weaken the commonwealth’s leverage and representation in Congress.

National/Federal

Former Trump Aide John Bolton Indicted Over Handling of Classified Material

MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Katie Mettler (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2025

John Bolton, a former national security adviser to President Trump who has become one of his fiercest critics, was indicted on charges of mishandling classified and sensitive material. The indictment charged Bolton with 18 counts of transmitting or retaining national defense information. The charges each carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence should he be convicted. The case makes Bolton the third target of the president to face criminal prosecution in less than a month.

‘No Kings’ Protests Against Trump Bring a Street Party Vibe to Cities Nationwide

MSN – Mike Pesoli and Gary Fields (Associated Press) | Published: 10/18/2025

Protesting the direction of the country under President Trump, people gathered in the nation’s capital and communities big and small across the U.S. for “No Kings” demonstrations. With signs such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting,” in many places the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble that people could sign, and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland.

Pentagon Press Confronts New Reality of Trump Era: Being banned from the Pentagon

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2025

When a throng of military journalists relinquished their credentials after refusing to sign the Defense Department’s new restrictive press policy, it ended more than 80 years of in-building coverage by major news organizations. With only 14 individuals agreeing to the rules, dozens of outlets are confronting a new reality: the challenges of covering the Defense Department from purely outside of its five-sided nerve center on the Potomac.

George Santos, Freed by Trump, Says He Wants to Reform American Prisons

MSN – Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2025

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who served 84 days in federal prison before receiving a presidential commutation, says he knows what he wants to do with his life now that he is no longer incarcerated. “There is nothing more that I want to do than to focus and dedicate my entire life to prison reform,” Santos said. President Trump, whom Santos has staunchly supported, issued a presidential commutation exempting him from the remainder of his sentence, all financial penalties, and any need for probation.

How Trump 2.0 Blew Up Lobbying

MSN – Brendan Bordelon, Amanda Chu, and Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 10/19/2025

After decades of “revolving door” culture, K Street is grappling with a new normal for how influence works in the nation’s capital. In Donald Trump’s second administration, American policy influence has shifted from its previous channels – agency officials, top lawmakers, and staffers on key congressional committees – to a new reality where change comes suddenly from the top.

Appeals Court Panel Appears Skeptical of Trump Admin’s Maneuvers to Keep Alina Habba in Place

MSN – Ry Rivard and Erica Orden (Politico) | Published: 10/20/2025

A panel of federal appeals court judges appeared skeptical of President Trump’s use of unconventional methods to install loyalists as top prosecutors without Senate confirmation. A trio of judges from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals questioned the multistep process the Trump administration used to designate his former personal attorney Alina Habba the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey and keep her there even after District Court judges sought to replace her. In August, a lower-court judge ruled that Habba is serving unlawfully, and the Trump administration is appealing that determination.

Trump’s Special Counsel Nominee Withdraws

MSN – Meryl Kornfield, Theodoric Meyer, and Cleve Wootson Jr. (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

Paul Ingrassia, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew his nomination after it became clear he does not have the votes to be confirmed, following reports he texted other Republicans racist slurs and said he had “a Nazi streak.” At least five Senate Republicans said they opposed Ingrassia’s nomination, enough to block his confirmation if all senators are voting, and no Democrats support him.

Trump Has Claimed Millions from the Government. He Could Order Payment.

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

Ever since his inauguration in January, President Trump has sat uncharacteristically silent in the face of a potential windfall of more than $100 million from U.S. taxpayers. As a private citizen, he claimed he was entitled to money to compensate him for what he calls political investigations he underwent. As president, he could now, in effect, order that government to pay him. If the payment came in the form of a settlement, the White House might be under no immediate legal obligation to disclose it to the public.

Trump Refugee Plan Seeks 7,000 Afrikaners – and Virtually No One Else

MSN – Adam Taylor and Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

The Trump administration’s plan to overhaul the U.S. refugee resettlement process, including a drastic reduction in overall annual admissions, coincides with a concerted effort to prepare thousands of White South Africans to relocate to the United States through the system. If the administration succeeds, almost all people admitted to the U.S. as refugees, as many as 7,000 from a maximum potential pool of 7,500, could be Afrikaners, a group not traditionally eligible for the program but one that President Trump says has been tyrannized by South Africa’s Black majority.

Study Reveals Corporate Directors on Charity Boards Drive Pro-Corporate Lobbying

MSN – Science X staff | Published: 10/16/2025

A study in Management Science finds that public charities with corporate directors on their boards are significantly more likely to lobby on behalf of the connected firms’ political interests. The research found nonprofit governance structures can quietly serve as extensions of corporate influence into the political process, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the nonprofit sector.

From Industry to EPA: Lobbyist now oversees pesticide rules

Seattle Times – Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) | Published: 10/21/2025

Until recently, Kyle Kunkler was the top lobbyist for America’s soybean industry. In that job, he once boasted of helping to keep a controversial weedkiller called dicamba in use, likening his back-and-forth with regulators to a tennis match full of “rocketing volleys.” Now he is that regulator. In June, Kunkler was named the Trump administration’s top official in charge of pesticide policy at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Less than a month later, the EPA proposed allowing the use of herbicides containing dicamba, a chemical whose use has twice been restricted by a federal court.

K Street Rakes in Hundreds of Millions Off of Trump Upheaval

Yahoo Finance – Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 10/22/2025

Some of K Street’s biggest lobbying firms raked in unprecedented amounts of cash last quarter. But it is the upstart firms with ties to President Trump or his administration that have been drowning in lobbying fees, lapping their more established rivals as Trump’s second term continues to scramble the hierarchy of the influence industry.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Fontes Says Candidates Can Use Campaign Cash for Personal Security

Arizona Capitol Times – Reagan Priest | Published: 10/5/2025

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes says he will not open campaign finance complaints against candidates who use campaign funds for personal security in the wake of increased political violence. Fontes noted that spending campaign funds on security is not expressly prohibited by state law, but it is not explicitly addressed either. The move highlights the growing need for caution among candidates and a gray area in Arizona’s campaign finance laws.

Arizona – Arizona AG Sues Over Speaker Mike Johnson Refusing to Seat New House Member

MSN – Patrick Marley and Paul Kane (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2025

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued the U.S. House because Speaker Mike Johnson has declined to swear in the state’s newest member of Congress. Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a September special election to replace her father. In the month since she won, Johnson has refused to swear her in and give her the powers of her office. Grijalva has promised to provide the final signature needed for a discharge petition that would force a vote on releasing federal investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Arizona – Judge Dismisses Case Alleging Hobbs Administration Played Favorites in Marijuana Dispute

USA Today – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/17/2025

A Maricopa County judge rejected a lawsuit brought by a marijuana entrepreneur that, on top of its legal claims, alleged Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ administration favored a donor to Hobbs’ political operation in a licensing dispute. Mason Cave and his company, Arizona Wellness Center Springerville, argued in lawsuit the Department of Health Services violated the state constitution’s gift clause when it awarded the Trulieve subsidiary a special type of marijuana license.

California – San Jose Scratches Head Over Official’s Ethical Dilemma

MSN – Brandon Pho (San Jose Spotlight) | Published: 10/17/2025

The San Jose Police Department pays $55,000 a month to rent an evidence warehouse on Monterey Road. The owner is a San Jose official who votes on police spending. Councilperson Michael Mulcahy is the managing partner of his private, family-owned real estate firm SDS NexGen Partners, which has leased the warehouse to the city since 2003. The situation is raising questions about the fine lines of San Jose’s and California’s conflict-of-interest laws.

California – Newsom Signs Law Forcing Lawmakers to Disclose New Jobs

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 10/16/2025

California’s elected and appointed officials will now have to tell the public when they have accepted a job offer from a new employer that might seek favors from them while they are still in a position of power. Assemblyperson Tasha Boerner introduced the bill in response to a CalMatters story last year that highlighted how lawmakers were not required to tell the public if they were negotiating or had accepted a job with an organization trying to get something from the Legislature.

California – Ethics Panel Rejects $17,500 Fine for L.A. City Council Candidate; 2 Members Say It’s Not Enough

MSN – Noah Goldberg (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/22/2025

As a Los Angeles City Council aide, Jose Ugarte failed to disclose years’ worth of outside income he made from lobbying and consulting and, as a result, was prepared to pay a fine. But the city’s Ethics Commission rejected a $17,500 settlement agreement with the council candidate. Two commissioners said the fine was not quite large enough.

Colorado – Dark Money Group That Spent Big in Colorado’s Democratic Primaries Approved Funding for Vail Retreat for State Lawmakers, Lobbyists

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven and Jesse Paul | Published: 10/17/2025

A dark money group that has spent big in Democratic legislative primaries in Colorado to help more moderate candidates agreed to pay $25,000 to fund a hotel room block for a recent retreat in Vail where more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers mingled with lobbyists. Andrew Short, executive director of the nonprofit, One Main Street Colorado, asked the organization’s board in to approve the funds for the Opportunity Caucus event, according to an email.

Connecticut – Kosta Diamantis Guilty on All Charges in Corruption Trial

Connecticut Public – Andrew Brown and Dave Altimari (CT Mirror) | Published: 10/22/2025

Konstantinos Diamantis, Connecticut’s former deputy budget director, was found guilty of using his position overseeing the state’s school construction office to enrich himself and his family. Federal prosecutors presented a mountain of evidence that showed Diamantis negotiated payments from Acranom Masonry and a $45-per-hour job for his daughter with Construction Advocacy Professionals. Several witnesses said Diamantis used his influence at the state’s school building office to help those companies win lucrative construction contracts.

Georgia – Georgia Voter Turnout Groups Are Closing, Raising Questions About Democratic Strength

MSN – Charlotte Kramon and Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 10/16/2025

Two Georgia voter turnout groups credited with chipping away at Republicans’ edge in the state announced they are closing down, raising questions about whether Democratic organizing can be sustained in Georgia, where breakthroughs have yet to overturn overall Republican control of the state. Founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams in 2013 to register and turn out more nonwhite and young voters, the nonpartisan New Georgia Project, along with its affiliated New Georgia Project Action Fund, had been a political force.

Hawaii – New Maui Ethics Board Rules Silence Citizens with Pending Complaints

Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 10/23/2025

The Maui Board of Ethics unanimously approved sweeping new rule changes, including what several members of the public described as a gag order against anyone who files an ethics complaint against a county employee or elected official. Most of the 44 changes were in response to a county charter amendment voters approved last year to give the board greater independence and improve its operational efficiency.

Illinois – Illinois Elections Board Divided, Meaning Nearly $10 Million Fine Against Senate President Don Harmon Unlikely

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/21/2025

The Illinois State Board of Elections split evenly along party lines on Senate President Don Harmon’s appeal of a recommendation that he violated campaign finance laws, making it unlikely it has the legal authority to impose a nearly $10 million fine against him for accepting political contributions in excess of legal limits. Deadlocked board members agreed to hold the issue over until the board’s scheduled November meeting at the latest, as its legal staff explored what, if any, past precedents provide guidance on the situation.

Illinois – ‘Political Opposition Is Not Rebellion’: Chicago appeals court leaves judge’s order barring National Guard deployment intact

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/16/2025

Saying “political opposition is not rebellion,” a federal appeals court in Chicago denied the Trump administration’s request for an emergency stay of a lower court judge’s order barring the president from deploying National Guard troops in the city and state. In its ruling, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the findings by U.S. District Court Judge April Perry were not “clearly erroneous” and “the facts do not justify” President Trump’s actions.

Indiana – Indiana Republicans Don’t Have Votes for New Congressional Map Trump Wants

MSN – Brianna Tucker and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 10/22/2025

The Indiana Legislature lacks the votes to pass a congressional redistricting plan ahead of the 2026 midterms. The resistance marks President Trump’s first major setback amid his nationwide redistricting push. It also comes despite Indiana’s Republican supermajority – the party holds 40 of the state Senate’s 50 seats.

Kansas – Kansas Secretary of State Seeks to Improve Efficiency of Filing Campaign, Lobbying Reports

Yahoo News – Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 10/21/2025

The Kansas secretary of state’s office recommended streamlining the processing of campaign finance records, lobbying reports, and statements of economic interest by filing those documents directly with the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission. State law mandates the secretary of state operate the government’s intake center for these documents, but his office does almost nothing with the records before transferring each to the ethics commission.

Kansas – Wichita Has New Rules for Reporting Contributions. So Far, Candidates Haven’t Followed Them

Yahoo News – Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 10/19/2025

Wichita City Council races have failed to follow the city’s campaign finance ordinance. The candidates filed their typical, state-required reports showing campaign fundraising and expenses with the Sedgwick County Election Office. But they have not followed new city rules that were supposed to add transparency to elections, specifically about donations from business owners who “stack” contributions by giving the maximum amount to candidates multiple times using different limited liability companies. That was not the only problem.

Kentucky – Power Tug of War Between Beshear, GOP Legislature Takes Center Stage at KY Supreme Court

Yahoo News – McKenna Horsley (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 10/16/2025

The Kentucky Supreme Court must once again balance power between the state’s executive and legislative branches. The court heard oral arguments in two cases involving the separation of powers between Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican office holders. One case centered on a law that shifts control of the State Fair Board from the governor to the agriculture commissioner. The second restructures the Executive Branch Ethics Commission, allowing each of the constitutional officers (except the lieutenant governor) to appoint a member.

Maine – Sheriff Directed Investigation into Maine Lawmaker Over Dropped Electioneering Charges

Yahoo News – Callie Ferguson (Bangor Daily News) | Published: 10/18/2025

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane ordered the criminal investigation that led to a recently dismissed charge against Maine Rep. Nina Milliken, who was accused of illegally campaigning at a polling place. The documents shed light on the origins of a criminal investigation into a misdemeanor crime that is rarely, if ever, prosecuted. It provided a clearer look at initial evidence in the case, which primarily consisted of interviews with witnesses who gave conflicting accounts. A prosecutor dismissed the case after getting new evidence.

Maine – Latest Filings in Campaign Finance Court Battle Argue Maine Has Legal Right to Regulate Super PACs

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 10/22/2025

An appeal was filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals after a U.S. District Court ruled a 2024 Maine law passed by voters was unconstitutional. The law placed limits on contributions to super PACs. Those behind the referendum make the case in their brief that Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission actually allows for super PACs to be regulated and a later decision that interpreted otherwise, and permitted unlimited spending by corporations, misinterpreted the landmark ruling.

Michigan – Oakland County IT Contract Awarded to Employee’s Company Violated Law, Investigation Finds

MSN – Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 10/21/2025

Someone in Oakland County violated state law when a private company owned by a county employee received a six-figure contract, according to a private law firm’s investigation. But county officials do not believe criminal charges are needed. Instead, they hope policy changes, including making many employees acknowledge the county’s standards of conduct policy before they can apply for benefits, will prevent similar misconduct in the future.

New Jersey – Judge Weighs Arguments to Dismiss McIver’s Charges in Detention Center Case

Yahoo News – Steve Strunsky (Newark Star-Ledger) | Published: 10/22/2025

Lawyers for U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver argued in federal court that charges stemming from a scuffle at an immigrant detention center in Newark should be dismissed because she was fulfilling her congressional oversight duties and because the government was engaged in selective enforcement. McIver was indicted on three counts of assaulting, resisting, and obstructing federal officers. She and others were trying to prevent the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on a trespassing charge that was dropped 13 days later.

New York – New York GOP Suspends Young Republicans Chapter After Racist Chat Messages

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2025

New York Republican Party officials suspended its Young Republicans chapter after racist and antisemitic chat messages shared among its members were made public, offering an unfiltered look at how some of the GOP’s up-and-coming leaders communicate in private. The vote came in response to a report on a tranche of leaked messages among leaders of Young Republican groups around the country. They reportedly sent messages that used racist and homophobic slurs, as well as praise for Adolf Hitler.

New York – Orange County IDA Seeks to Scrap Oversight Role as Lawmakers Object

Yahoo News – Nora Mishanec (Albany Times Union) | Published: 10/16/2025

The future of a state-appointed monitor for the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is once again the subject of a fight between the powerful economic development body and the state senator who has long criticized how it operates. More than two years after New York lawmakers approved hiring a forensic accountant to scrutinize the IDA’s decisions and operations, the agency’s leaders voted to hire an Albany lobbying firm to persuade those same lawmakers to get rid of the monitor at the end of his three-year term in May.

North Carolina – Developer Agreed to $15 Million Road for NC Town, but Lawmakers Paid the Bill

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 10/22/2025

At a Mooresville town board meeting three years ago, a developer pitched a plan for building 560 single-family homes and apartments. The developers promised a $15 million road through the middle of its development that would help alleviate traffic congestion in the town. But a year later, the state budget bill included a $15 million appropriation of state funds for the road. A media investigation into how lawmakers passed off a developer’s $15 million commitment onto the public shows how an interconnected group of lawmakers, lobbyists, and insiders worked behind closed doors with little public notice.

North Carolina – Republicans Advance Trump’s Redistricting Fight into Swing-State North Carolina

NPR – Adam Wagner | Published: 10/22/2025

North Carolina is the first swing state to draw new congressional districts amid a nationwide arms race between Republicans and Democrats to secure additional seats ahead of next year’s midterm election. Republican legislative leaders announced they wanted to redraw the map with the aim of winning 11 of the state’s 14 congressional districts. The GOP currently controls 10 of the seats. To accomplish that, Republicans focused on the First Congressional District, which is the state’s only swing district and has been represented by Black lawmakers for decades.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Sues Rep. Ajay Pittman as AG Agents Search Capitol Office

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/17/2025

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission accused state Rep. Ajay Pittman in a civil case of fraud on the same day state agents ramped up a criminal investigation of her by searching her office at the Capitol. Pittman is accused in the lawsuit of committing fraud during settlement negotiations in a campaign finance case and on documents submitted as proof she was reimbursing her campaigns. The Oklahoman has reported the attorney general’s office is looking into her campaign spending.

Oregon – The Clock Is Ticking for Oregon Officials to Deliver on Campaign Finance Reform. Will They Do It?

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/18/2025

When Oregon legislators approved limits on political contributions, they promised they would soon move beyond the basics of the law and deliver needed clarifications and improvements on how it would work. But more than a year into that process, efforts by the secretary of state’s office to limit the role of money in politics have stalled, despite Oregonians’ strong support for such restrictions. Progress has been impeded by vague guidance from lawmakers and insufficient funding, raising the odds of a bungled rollout that could leave loopholes in the campaign finance system.

Oregon – Appeals Court Sides with Trump on Troop Deployment to Portland ICE Building

MSN – Maxine Bernstein (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/20/2025

A federal appellate court allowed President Trump to maintain federal control over the Oregon National Guard and deploy troops until the case is fully litigated in court. But the ruling does not mean troops will be on the ground immediately in Portland. Lawyers for the state and city of Portland pledged to file a motion asking for swift reconsideration by a larger contingent of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Oregon – Officials at the Heart of Oregon’s Data Center Scandal Had a Tangle of Conflicting Roles

MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/22/2025

The directors of a small Oregon nonprofit called Inland Development Corporation voted in 2017 to cut a $145,000 check to another nonprofit, Morrow Development, where state Rep. Greg Smith moonlighted as a contract employee. Immediately afterward, Inland named Smith and two others to its board of directors. They replaced three board members who resigned at that meeting. Smith and Inland’s other two new directors approved the sale of its most valuable asset, a fiber-optic provider called Windwave Communications, to a cadre of Inland insiders, including the three men who had just resigned from the nonprofit’s board.

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Illinois Elections Board Divided, Meaning Nearly $10 Million Fine Against Senate President Don Harmon Unlikely” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Connecticut: “Kosta Diamantis Guilty on All Charges in Corruption Trial” by Andrew Brown and Dave Altimari (CT Mirror) for Connecticut Public

National: “Trump Refugee Plan Seeks 7,000 Afrikaners – and Virtually No One Else” by Adam Taylor and Teo Armus (Washington Post) for MSN

New Jersey: “Judge Weighs Arguments to Dismiss McIver’s Charges in Detention Center Case” by Steve Strunsky (Newark Star-Ledger) for Yahoo News

North Carolina: “Developer Agreed to $15 Million Road for NC Town, but Lawmakers Paid the Bill” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Arizona: “Arizona AG Sues Over Speaker Mike Johnson Refusing to Seat New House Member” by Patrick Marley and Paul Kane (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “K Street Rakes in Hundreds of Millions Off of Trump Upheaval” by Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) for Yahoo Finance

Redistricting

North Carolina: “Republicans Advance Trump’s Redistricting Fight into Swing-State North Carolina” by Adam Wagner for NPR

National/Federal

Here’s What Happens When Big-Time Lobbyists Become Big-Name Trump Officials

MSN – Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 9/21/2025

Before Pam Bondi was sworn in as President Trump’s attorney general, she spent six years as a lobbyist at Ballard, where she was a partner in its Washington office and chaired the firm’s corporate regulatory compliance practice focusing on Fortune 500 companies. Among the clients for whom Ballard reported lobbying DOJ this year, all but one signed with the firm since Trump’s election and his nomination of Bondi for attorney general. A similar phenomenon is occurring across K Street at lobbying firms that have former employees in top roles with the Trump administration.

Supreme Court Allows Trump to Fire Democratic Member of Trade Commission

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 9/22/2025

The Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump to fire Rebecca Slaughter, the sole remaining Democrat on the Federal Trade Commission. The ruling, while provisional, is significant because the high court also said it will hear arguments in December on overturning a 90-year-old precedent that allowed Congress to set up independent, nonpartisan agencies insulated from political interference by the president if they do not wield executive power.

Even Without Formal Charges, Trump’s DOJ Can Punish Critics

MSN – Perry Stein and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 9/23/2025

Prosecutors have struggled to build viable cases against Sen. Adam Schiff and other opponents of President Trump for mortgage fraud. Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned under pressure from the White House after prosecutors in his office said evidence did not support bringing such charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Siebert’s resignation, and increasing pressure on prosecutors in other jurisdictions, underscores the administration’s apparent willingness to ignore long-standing rules around criminal investigations to target people perceived to be political opponents.

Supreme Court Poised to Shake Up Midterm Elections

MSN – Jack Birle (Washington Examiner) | Published: 9/22/2025

The Supreme Court will hear three cases in the coming months that could have ramifications for campaigns, elections, and who controls the U.S. House. While the court has yet to schedule its arguments for NRSC v. FEC, the justices’ ruling is slated to have the most immediate effect on campaigns. The FEC’s coordinated spending limits between political parties and candidates have remained in place despite the Supreme Court lifting different limits as unconstitutional in recent years, but the case could open the floodgates to more coordinated spending.

Pentagon Demands Journalists Pledge to Not Obtain Unauthorized Material

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 9/19/2025

The Trump administration unveiled a new crackdown on journalists at the Pentagon, saying it will require them to pledge they would not gather any information, even unclassified, that has not been expressly authorized for release. Under the policy, the Pentagon may revoke press passes for anyone it deems a security threat. Possessing confidential or unauthorized information, under the new rules, would be grounds for a journalist’s press pass to be revoked.

Judge Tosses Trump’s $15B Defamation Suit Against New York Times, Penguin Random Hous

MSN – Peter Charalambous (ABC News) | Published: 9/19/2025

A federal judge tossed President Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House, calling the complaint “decidedly improper and impermissible.” U.S. District Court Judge Steven Merryday struck the complaint and gave the president’s lawyers 28 days to refile their lawsuit. Merryday said the complaint contains eighty pages of repetitive claims and praise for Trump, but fails to establish the two counts of defamation alleged.

Trump Designates ‘Antifa’ a Terrorist Group, but Experts Say Legality Is Unclear

MSN – Niha Masih, Vivian Ho, and Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 9/22/2025

President Trump signed an executive order designating “antifa,” a decentralized, leftist ideology adhered to by various individuals and groups, as a “domestic terrorist organization,” days after raising the prospect in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting. The U.S. has no legal mechanism for labeling domestic organizations as terrorist groups. Experts also said it remains unclear how such a designation would work for a broad movement rather than a distinct group and expressed concern it could be used to justify a crackdown on the political left more generally.

FBI Says It Found Classified Documents in John Bolton’s DC Office

MSN – Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 9/24/2025

FBI agents executing a search warrant at former national security adviser John Bolton’s Washington office turned up documents marked as classified, according to a court filing. Search warrant applications indicated FBI agents were seeking evidence related to three felony offenses, including gathering, transmitting, or losing national defense information in violation of the Espionage Act, and retaining classified information without permission.

Federal Judge Declines to Reinstate Inspectors General Fired by Trump

MSN – Kelly Kasulis Cho (Washington Post) | Published: 9/25/2025

A federal judge declined to reinstate eight inspectors general fired by President Trump as part of a purge of government watchdogs in the early days of his second term, though she agreed the terminations were unlawful. The inspectors general sued Trump in February, claiming they were dismissed illegally. The lawsuit underscored widespread concern that Trump sought to purge federal watchdogs and install loyalists in the crucial role of investigating government agencies for fraud, waste and abuse.

Va. Federal Prosecutors Preparing to Seek Comey Indictment, People Familiar with Matter Say

MSN – Salvador Rizzo, Jeremy Roebuck, and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 9/24/2025

The Justice Department is preparing to seek an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly giving false testimony to Congress. The effort comes days after President Trump demanded prosecutors use the criminal justice system to punish his political opponents. The investigation centers on testimony Comey gave before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the FBI’s missteps in the “Crossfire Hurricane” probe, which had delved into possible but ultimately unproven collaboration between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Hobbled Federal Campaign Finance Enforcer Loses Another Member

MSN – Faith Wardwell (Politico) | Published: 9/25/2025

The vice chair of the FEC will resign from his post after five years with the agency, leaving just two commissioners behind as the agency has gone months without quorum. James Trainor said he would step down in October and is “seriously evaluating” a bid to replace the U.S. House seat left vacant by Rep. Chip Roy. Trainor’s departure lands yet another blow to the FEC after another three commissioners departed their roles earlier this year.

New York City May Move Its Mayoral Elections to Even Years. It’d Be Part of a Trend

NPR – Ashley Lopez | Published: 9/24/2025

One of the most closely watched elections this fall is New York City’s mayoral race. But New York voters will also weigh in on a lesser-known proposal that could move future city elections to even-numbered years. It is part of a growing trend to consolidate election dates – adding local races to the ballot during presidential and midterm elections. Proponents of the effort say it counters persistently low turnout for local elections, despite concerns about local issues and candidates getting overshadowed.

Judge Rules Feds Can’t Require States to Cooperate on Immigration to Get Disaster Money

Yahoo News – Michael Casey (Associated Press) | Published: 9/24/2025

A federal judge ruled it is unconstitutional for the Trump administration to require states to cooperate on immigration enforcement actions to get funding for disasters, which is overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. U.S. District Court Judge William Smith found the “contested conditions are arbitrary and capricious” and the actions are unconstitutional because they are “coercive, ambiguous, unrelated to the purpose of the federal grants.”

Jimmy Kimmel Advocates for Free Speech, Slams FCC Chair in Late-Night Return

Yahoo News – Emily Yahr (Washington Post) | Published: 9/24/2025

Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television to a standing ovation from his studio audience as he talked about the controversy that saw his show temporarily removed from ABC’s airwaves after comments he made about the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Kimmel thanked many people for their support and delivered a passionate call for free speech. He said he was moved to see people on both sides of the aisle criticize what appeared to be the head of a government agency suggesting that he would attempt to shut down or censor the show of a comedian he did not like.

Tom Homan Was Investigated for Accepting $50,000 from Undercover FBI Agents. Trump’s DOJ Shut It Down.

Yahoo News – Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian (MSNBC) | Published: 9/20/2025

In an undercover operation last year, the FBI recorded Tom Homan, now the White House border czar, accepting $50,000 in cash after indicating he could help the agents, who were posing as business executives, win government contracts in a second Trump administration. The FBI and the Justice Department planned to wait to see whether Homan would deliver on his alleged promise once he became the nation’s top immigration official. But in recent weeks, Trump appointees officially closed the investigation, after FBI Director Kash Patel requested a status update on the case.

Ryan Routh Found Guilty of Trying to Assassinate Donald Trump at Florida Golf Course

Yahoo News – Christopher Cann, Julius Whigham II, and Hannah Phillips (USA Today) | Published: 9/23/2025

A jury found Ryan Routh guilty of trying to kill Donald Trump at one of his Florida golf courses last year. Routh was convicted of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, a charge carrying a possible sentence of life in prison. Authorities said Routh armed himself with a rifle outside the fence of Trump International Golf Club and waited over 11 hours for Trump to walk into his line of sight. Prosecutors say the plot was thwarted by a Secret Service agent who spotted Routh and opened fire, leading him to drop his rifle.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Edmonton Event Held for Liberal Ministers, MPs Raised Concern Over Lobbying Rules

iAsk.ca – Stephanie Levitz and Robert Fife (Globe and Mail) | Published: 9/18/2025

A real estate executive, a lobbyist, and a banker held a reception for cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament on the margins of the government’s recent caucus meeting in Edmonton, raising concerns within the Liberal Party that the event could be in breach of federal lobbying rules. The event was called The Western Exchange, and was held at the bar of the JW Marriott on September 10.

Arizona – Appeals Court Rejects New Voter-Behavior Rules for Arizona Polling Sites

Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 9/16/2025

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes cannot enforce his ban on offensive or insulting speech at and around polling places, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. The provisions Fontes included in the Elections Procedures manual are so broad they could criminalize unintentional conduct, the court concluded. Judge Kim Wardlaw, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, said threat of prosecution could “chill” individuals from engaging in otherwise legal political activity.

Arizona – Adelita Grijalva Wins US House Special Election in Arizona, Delivering Decisive Signature for Epstein Files Push

MSN – Molly English (CNN) | Published: 9/24/2025

Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a special election in Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District, which will deliver the decisive signature to the push for a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein case files. Discharge petitions historically have a bad track record of forcing a vote on the floor, mostly because lawmakers in the majority are wary of taking a stand against leadership. The Epstein issue, however, has animated some Republican members.

Arkansas – Bloggers File Ethics Complaint Against Arkansas Attorney General, Two Lawmakers and Related PACs

Yahoo News – Sonny Albarado (Arkansas Advocate) | Published: 9/22/2025

Complaints filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission claim three Republican state officials and PACs tied to them “appear to have repeatedly and willfully violated” state campaign finance law. The co-founders of an online legislation tracking and analysis firm alleges Attorney General Tim Griffin, state Rep. David Ray, and state Sen. Ben Gilmore and PACs associated with them violated campaign contribution limits and prohibitions on illegal coordination of contributions, the use of public property for campaign purposes, and public servants receiving outside payment for carrying out official duties.

California – They Fought for Independent California Redistricting. Now They’re Sitting Out a Gerrymander

MSN – Jeremy White (Politico) | Published: 9/22/2025

Republicans fighting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting campaign in California have reassembled much of the coalition that brought independent lines to the state more than a decade ago. There is one big exception: good government groups that once helped to strip line-drawing power from state lawmakers. It reflects the intensified partisanship of the Trump era, as Common Cause and groups like it work to square their longstanding opposition to gerrymandering with a sense that American democracy is in peril.

California – Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission Has a New Leader

MSN – Darwin BondGraham (Oaklandside) | Published: 9/18/2025

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission appointed Suzanne Doran as executive director. Doran will lead the commission’s staff of eight professionals who are charged with enforcing the city’s campaign and ethics laws, investigating ethics complaints, and ensuring greater trust and accountability in city government. Commission Chairperson Francis Upton IV said commissioners ultimately chose Doran because of her experience and qualifications.

California – Judge Orders Trump Administration to Restore More Than $500 Million in Research Funds to UCLA

MSN – Eric He (Politico) | Published: 9/22/2025

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restart the flow of about $500 million in funding for scientific research it withheld from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), sparing the university for now from a devastating fiscal blow. While only temporary, the ruling was a significant victory for UCLA and the rest of the University of California system, which has been caught up in a campaign by federal officials to punish high profile universities for what conservatives allege was their overly permissive response to student protests over Israel’s war in Gaza and failure to address antisemitism on their campuses.

District of Columbia – A Statue of Trump and Epstein Holding Hands in D.C. Is removed as Fast as It Appeared

NPR – Rachel Treisman | Published: 9/24/2025

A statue of President Trump holding hands with Jeffrey Epstein appeared briefly on the District of Columbia’s National Mall, only to be removed after less than a day. Trump has repeatedly downplayed his relationship with Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail. while a National Park Service permit issued for the statue allowed it to remain there until September 28, eyewitness video showed U.S. Park Police hauling it onto a truck before sunrise on September 24.

Georgia – Macon Mayor Fined for Campaign Finance Violations. What We Know.

Yahoo News – Myracle Lewis (Macon Telegraph) | Published: 9/18/2025

The Georgia State Ethics Commission fined Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller $5,000 for violating the state’s campaign finance laws. Miller reached a consent agreement with the commission to resolve findings that he improperly transferred $220,000 in excess campaign contributions to a nonprofit organization he helped establish two years ago.

Hawaii – Judge To Decide Fate of CEO Accused of Illegal Campaign Donations

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 9/24/2025

A state judge says she will decide within 30 days whether the case of a Hawaii businessperson accused of funneling campaign contributions through subordinates should proceed. Prosecutors allege JL Capital Chief Executive Officer Tim Lee reimbursed employees for donations they made to the Honolulu mayoral campaigns of Keith Amemiya and Kym Pine in 2020. State law prohibits political donations in the name of anyone other than the source of the money.

Indiana – Governor Expands Cabinet Roles – But How Far Can Dual Office Holding Go in Indiana?

Yahoo News – Casey Smith (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 9/22/2025

Gov. Mike Braun’s decision to give two of his top officials additional leadership posts has revived a longstanding constitutional question in Indiana: when can one person legally hold two government offices at once? In August, Secretary of Education Katie Jenner was confirmed as the state’s next higher education commissioner, while also keeping her K-12 role. Following the abrupt resignation of Jennifer-Ruth Green, Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott was tapped by Braun to take on a second job serving as the secretary of public safety.

Maine – Democratic Fundraiser ActBlue Fined $100K by Maine Campaign Finance Watchdog

Portland Press Herald – Rachel Ohm | Published: 9/24/2025

ActBlue, a national online fundraising platform for Democrats, was fined $100,000 by Maine’s campaign finance watchdog for filing a report two weeks late. The fine is among the largest penalties the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices has ever assessed and the largest for a registered political group that missed a published deadline. Jeff Hunter, an attorney for ActBlue, acknowledged fault at a commission meeting, attributing the late filing to a “kind of a perfect storm.”

Massachusetts – Former UMass Amherst Provost Pays $10,000 for Violating Conflict of Interest Law

MSN – Namu Sampath (MassLive) | Published: 9/24/2025

A former University of Massachusetts Amherst provost paid a $10,000 civil penalty for hiring her brother to positions in her department, the State Ethics Commission said. Heather Sharpes-Smith, former associate provost for instructional design and technology, violated the conflict-of-interest law when she asked whether an “unnamed guy” could be hired to a temporary position until a more permanent position was available. That person was her brother, the commission said.

Nebraska – Feds Say Former Nebraska Liquor Official Helped Strip Club in Exchange for Free Lap Dances, Sexual Favors

Courthouse News Service – Hillel Aron | Published: 9/24/2025

The former head of Nebraska’s liquor commission has been charged with fraud and is accused of providing favors to a strip club in exchange for money, free lap dances, and sexual favors. Employees of The Office Gentleman’s Club would, according to the indictment, “note on sticky notes the amount of money taken out of the business safe in order to provide to Hobert Rupe.” The sticky notes would read COB: the cost of doing business.

Nevada – Clark County Commissioners Violated Ethics Law by Failing to Disclose Free F1 Tickets

MSN – Mary Hynes (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 9/23/2025

The failure of five Clark County commissioners to fully disclose accepting free tickets to the Las Vegas Grand Prix constitutes a non-willful violation of Nevada’s ethics law, according to an agreement approved by the state Ethics Commission. Each county commissioner accepted a ticket or pass worth $10,900 to all four days of events at the inaugural Formula One race in November 2023.

Nevada – Lombardo, Ethics Commission Settle Long-Running Dispute Over Use of Sheriff’s Badge, Office

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 9/23/2025

The long-running saga surrounding Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s use of his Clark County sheriff’s badge and uniform during his first campaign for office finally ended with a settlement agreement finding the governor had not purposefully violated the ethics law and would be assessed a $5,000 payment. The Ethics Commission’ss attorney, Elizabeth Bassett, added that though the panel often includes a requirement for ethics training, that part was left out because Lombardo voluntarily underwent the training after he became governor.

New York – Democratic Elected Officials Arrested at ICE Facility in New York City

MSN – María Luisa Paúl and Grace Moon (Washington Post) | Published: 9/18/2025

More than a dozen New York elected officials, all members of the Democratic Party, were arrested at a federal building in Manhattan while seeking access to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility and protesting the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring the agency to limit capacity, improve cleanliness, and expand access to legal phone calls at the facility. Immigration detention facilities fall under federal oversight, giving members of Congress the right to visit and inspect them. State and local lawmakers do not have that authority.

Ohio – Ohio Can Ban Foreign Donations to Ballot Campaigns, Appeals Court Rules

MSN – Jessie Balmert (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 9/16/2025

Ohio can ban green card holders and foreign nationals from donating to statewide ballot campaigns without violating the First Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled. A divided Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel said the state can enforce the ban while a lawsuit challenging it is pending.

Ohio – Cleveland Heights Mayor Awarded Lucrative Graphic Design Contracts to Longtime Friend, Then Gave Her Full-Time Job

MSN – Cory Shaffer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/24/2025

Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren, who voters recently recalled, awarded multiple lucrative graphic design contracts to a longtime friend before hiring her to a full-time city position last year. Frances Collazo, who at the time lived in central Ohio, received more than $65,000 in city contracts from January to October 2024. One of the projects she worked on was never put out to bid. Another saw Collazo win the contract, even though her bid was twice as high as any other. The city paid her $12,000 to redesign the Planning Department’s website, a project the city did not ultimately implement.

Ohio – Ohio Lawmakers’ Texts, Emails Blocked from Public Scrutiny Under New Secrecy Law

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/24/2025

Beginning on September 29, Ohio lawmakers’ text messages and emails between each other and their staff will be exempted from public-records disclosure for up to two years. The changes are the most significant restrictions to state public-records law regarding the Legislature in more than a quarter century. Critics say the new restrictions will allow lawmakers to keep the inner workings of the lawmaking process secret from the public.

Rhode Island – McKee Advisor Involved in ‘Fixed’ ILO Deal Cleared of Lobbying Complaint

MSN – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 9/19/2025

Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore’s office cleared Michael Magee, a confidant of Gov. Dan McKee, of violating state lobbying laws for helping steer a pandemic-era education contract to the ILO Group. Common Cause Rhode Island filed a complaint against Magee last year. It argued he was legally required to register as a lobbyist in 2021 when he worked with McKee’s office to hire a firm founded by a former subordinate.

Tennessee – Glen Casada, Former TN House Speaker, Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison in Mailer Scheme

MSN – Evan Mealins (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 9/23/2025

Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada was sentenced to three years and ordered to pay a $30,000 fine after his conviction on public corruption charges. Casada was found guilty for his role in what prosecutors describe as an unlawful scheme to take advantage of a state allowance for lawmakers to send informational mailers.He pressured state bureaucrats to approve payments for mailers to a shadowy political consulting company called Phoenix Solutions.

Texas – Ethics Agency Fines Former Texas Lawmaker $105K for Violating Revolving Door Law

MSN – Taylor Goldenstein (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 9/18/2025

A former Texas lawmaker who went on to work as a lobbyist was fined $105,500 by the state Ethics Commission skirting a “revolving door” law he helped write. The fine against Chris Paddie is the highest imposed by the commission in 15 years. Paddie retired in 2022 after chairing a powerful House committee that was tasked with holding energy firms accountable for failures during the state’s deadly 2021 winter storm. He later registered as a lobbyist and took on several of those same companies as clients.

Texas – Republican Redistricting Is Sowing Chaos in Houston

San Francisco Examiner – J. David Goodman (New York Times) | Published: 9/22/2025

First came the Republican gerrymander in Texas. Now comes the Democratic chaos in Houston. A certain amount of confusion is likely to play out in districts from the Rio Grande Valley to suburban Dallas, as voters and candidates adjust to new lines that are usually redrawn only once a decade. But Texas’ 18th House district is feeling it now, thanks to the unexpected death of Rep. Sylvester Turner, just weeks into this session of Congress; a special election that was delayed by Gov. Greg Abbott to help Republican leaders in Washington navigate their narrow House majority; and new district lines that will take effect soon after the special election.

Elections

Texas: “Republican Redistricting Is Sowing Chaos in Houston” by J. David Goodman (New York Times) for San Francisco Examiner

Ethics

National: “Disney Brings Back Jimmy Kimmel, Sidelined After Charlie Kirk Comments” by Scott Nover (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Supreme Court Allows Trump to Fire Democratic Member of Trade Commission” by Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) for MSN

Ohio: “Akron Schools Facilities Chief Resigns Amid Allegation of Profiting from Lawnmower Trade-Ins” by Conor Morris for WVIZ

Legislative Issues

Indiana: “Governor Expands Cabinet Roles – But How Far Can Dual Office Holding Go in Indiana?” by Casey Smith (Indiana Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Canada: “Edmonton Event Held for Liberal Ministers, MPs Raised Concern Over Lobbying Rules” by Stephanie Levitz and Robert Fife (Globe and Mail) for iAsk.ca

National: “Here’s What Happens When Big-Time Lobbyists Become Big-Name Trump Officials” by Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) for MSN

Redistricting

California: “They Fought for Independent California Redistricting. Now They’re Sitting Out a Gerrymander” by Jeremy White (Politico) for MSN

National/Federal

After Kirk Killing, Political Leaders Pull Back from Public Appearances

MSN – Patrick Marley and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 9/13/2025

Elected officials and other political leaders are canceling or postponing in-person events, aiming to beef up security, and weighing how to engage with the public after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk intensified concerns that once-routine appearances have become too dangerous. Even before Kirk was shot dead, a wave of political violence had increased unease among public officials. Now, that anxiety has reached a new level, adding urgency to discussions in Congress, at state Capitols, and among activists and candidates.

Nadine Menendez, Wife of Ex-New Jersey Senator, Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Prison

MSN – Ella Lee (The Hill) | Published: 9/11/2025

The wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to more than four years in prison for her role in a scheme to trade her husband’s political power for lavish bribes. Nadine Menendez was convicted in April of plotting with her husband, the former chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to exchange his clout for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz.

Appeals Court Allows Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to Keep Her Job

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 9/15/2025

A divided federal appeals court ruled Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook can keep her job, turning aside an appeal by the Trump administration that sought to fire her ahead of the central bank’s key meeting this week on setting interest rates. Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud, a charge she denies, and has sought her dismissal, but the three-judge panel said the president violated Cook’s rights by not giving her a chance to defend herself against the accusations.

More Employers Fire Workers Over Kirk Posts as Pressure from Right Mounts

MSN – Taylor Telford and Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) | Published: 9/16/2025

The wave of companies and other institutions firing or suspending employees over what they have said in reaction to the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has expanded in recent days, as some of his supporters in and outside the government amp up a push against speech they say crosses lines. At a time when people have unprecedented ability to share their instant reactions with vast audiences on social media, the actions by employers have stirred a debate over employees’ speech rights, the role of public pressure campaigns, and what is appropriate public commentary on a violent event like Kirk’s killing.

Retired 4-Star Navy Admiral Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Bribery Plot

MSN – Michael Kunzelman (Associated Press) | Published: 9/16/2025

A retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral was sentenced to six years in prison for his conviction on corruption charges that he agreed to exchange a military contract for a lucrative postretirement job. Retired Admiral Robert Burke, once the second-highest uniformed officer in the Navy, was commanding its forces in Europe and Africa when he engaged in a bribery plot with two business executives, according to federal prosecutors.

ActBlue Acquiring Dem Digital Firm as Its Mission Grows

MSN – Jessica Piper (Politico) | Published: 9/17/2025

ActBlue is expanding beyond online fundraising by buying the Democratic digital organizing firm Impactive. It is the latest example of steps taken by ActBlue, the biggest donation processing tool for Democrats for two decades, to further expand its role in the campaign ecosystem. The platform has pitched the acquisition as serving smaller campaigns that cannot afford the more advanced digital tools used by large national groups.

Effort to Censure Rep. Ilhan Omar Over Charlie Kirk Comments Fails

MSN – Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 9/17/2025

A resolution to censure U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar over comments and a social media repost she made regarding conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s death failed. The resolution to censure Omar was the first legislative effort to punish someone perceived as a Kirk critic to come to a vote. Though it has failed, others remain in motion.

ABC Yanks Jimmy Kimmel’s Show ‘Indefinitely’ After Threat from Trump’s FCC Chair

MSN – Brian Stelter, Elizabeth Wagmeister, and Liam Reilly (CNN) | Published: 9/18/2025

Walt Disney-owned ABC said it was pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live” off the air indefinitely, after comments by the late-night show’s host about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk prompted a threat by the head of the Federal Communications Commission against Disney. At least two major owners of ABC-affiliated stations subsequently said they would preempt Kimmel’s show, sparking speculation the owners were trying to curry favor with the Trump administration. The local media conglomerates are each seeking mergers that would require administration approval.

From the States and Municipalities

Europe – France Targets Non-EU Lobbyists in New Foreign Interference Crackdown

Euractiv – Magnus Lund Nielsen | Published: 9/18/2025

France will set up a new public transparency registry of foreign influence activities next year, as part of broader efforts to curb external interference. Under a new decree, anyone lobbying or carrying out political influence work in France “under the direction or control” of a non-European Union country will be required to sign up with France’s lobbyists watchdog, the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life.

Alaska – Former Alaska AG Treg Taylor Asks for Exemption from Financial Disclosure Requirements

Yahoo News – James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 9/12/2025

Ahead of an expected run for governor, former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor is asking the state’s campaign finance regulator to exempt him from a law that requires he disclose who is renting apartments in several Anchorage buildings he owns. Under state law, public officials must file an annual financial disclosure form that lists the sources of their income, including rental income, if it is above $1,000.

Arizona – Arizona Supreme Court Weighs Fate of Voter-Approved ‘Dark Money’ Disclosure Law

Yahoo News – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 9/11/2025

Since Arizona voters in 2022 approved Proposition 211, the Voters Right to Know Act, opponents of the law have challenged its constitutionality. It requires the disclosure of any “original source” of contributions greater than $5,000 if the money is used to pay for media expenditures of more than $50,000 in a statewide election or $25,000 in a local election. At the Arizona Supreme Court, plaintiffs said mandating disclosure of the source of political spending violates the state constitution’s protections of free speech, association, and separation of powers.

Arizona – Coconino Prosecutors Will Investigate Rodney Glassman Over Alleged Campaign Finance Violations

Yahoo News – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 9/12/2025

After numerous counties turned down the case over the past few weeks, Coconino County agreed to investigate allegations that Republican candidate for state Attorney General Rodney Glassman violated campaign finance law. Glassman, a perennial candidate for elected office in Arizona, is accused of accepting at least 30 contributions above the contribution limits spelled out by state law.

California – California Passes Bill Curbing Utilities Use of Ratepayer Money for Political Spending

Energy and Policy Institute – Stephanie Chase | Published: 9/16/2025

California is the seventh state to pass a bill limiting investor-owned utilities from using customer money to pay for political and lobbying costs. Assembly Bill 1167 includes provisions prohibiting investor-owned utilities from using customer money to support utility political activities, promotional advertising, and dues for trade associations that conduct political activities.

California – Alameda County Board Rejects Bid to Raise Donation Limits in Supervisor Campaigns

MSN – Kiley Russell (Bay City News) | Published: 9/12/2025

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors declined a proposal to substantially increase campaign contribution limits. The proposal would have increased the amount of money individual donors can give supervisor candidates from $20,000 to $40,000 per election. It would have also increased the limit for donors giving to candidates for countywide offices like district attorney or sheriff from $40,000 to $60,000 per election.

California – Jesus Cardenas Fined $5,000 for San Diego Ethics Violation

MSN – Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 9/12/2025

Jesus Cardenas agreed to pay $5,000 to settle allegations he violated San Diego’s ethics rules when he participated in lobbying contacts as a city official. Cardenas ran the political consulting firm Grassroots Resources while also serving as chief of staff to Councilperson Stephen Whitburn. Cardenas took meetings with client Blue Water Government Affairs in 2021, months after disclosing the lobbying firm paid him more than $10,000 for political consulting work.

California – UC Takes Heat for Sharing Student, Faculty Names with Trump Administration

Yahoo News – Eric He (Politico) | Published: 9/16/2025

The University of California at Berkeley faced continued backlash for its decision to disclose the names of 160 students, faculty, and staff to Trump administration officials as part of an investigation into allegations the school fostered an atmosphere of antisemitism. The disclosure of the names comes as the federal government continues to wage a campaign to upend elite institutions of higher education that it launched in the wake of campus protests over Israel’s war against Hamas.

Florida – Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Gets Prison Time but Allowed to Remain Free for Now

Yahoo News – Douglas Hanks (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/15/2025

Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez received a nearly three-year prison sentence for what a jury concluded was accepting money in exchange for sponsoring legislation to help a business owner. Judge Miguel de la O said he thought the 34-month minimum sentence called for under state guidelines was too harsh. He is allowing Martinez to remain free during the appeals process, which is expected to take at least a year.

Georgia – Fani Willis Loses Bid to Regain Control of Trump Georgia Case

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 9/16/2025

The Georgia Supreme Court declined to hear Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s appeal of a lower-court decision that disqualified her from the criminal racketeering case against President Trump and several allies charged with illegally conspiring to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in the state. The decision probably dooms the high-profile prosecution, the last active criminal case against Trump, who has sought to have charges dropped, citing his return to the presidency.

Hawaii – Hawai’i Supreme Court: OHA trustees bound by state ethics code

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 9/17/2025

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are considered state employees and must abide by the state ethics code. The ruling stems from a series of ethics violations against former Trustee Rowena Akana, who was found to have accepted illegal gifts and used her trustee allowance for personal use on food purchases and Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club membership. The court’s opinion also upheld the 47 ethics violations against Akana as well as a $23,000 fine.

Illinois – Ex-Ald. Walter Burnett, Mayor’s Pick to Head the CHA, and His Wife Got Over $260,000 in Subsidized Rent Payments as Landlords, Records Show

Chicago Sun Times – Lizzie Kane | Published: 9/15/2025

Former Ald. Walter Burnett – Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to run the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) – and his wife Darlena Williams-Burnett have been paid more than $260,000 as housing voucher landlords for the agency since 2007. The Burnetts have had 10 contracts for properties rented to CHA voucher holders, including two ongoing contracts and five that were active while Williams-Burnett worked for the city agency. The payments to Burnett and his wife could be a roadblock to his appointment to lead the nation’s third-largest public housing authority.

Maryland – Campaign Announcements Highlight ‘Glaring Hole’ in Maryland Election Law

MSN – Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 9/17/2025

When Sen. Steve Hershey said he might run for governor of Maryland, he said he would launch an exploratory committee to begin raising money and engage with voters before making a final decision. That was a slight misnomer, according to the State Board of Elections. Hershey, instead, is in the process of creating the type of formal campaign committee he could continue to use if he decides to run later this year. But the announcement reignited concerns about a loophole in the law in which a potential candidate can raise money in unlimited amounts without disclosing the donors to “explore” their viability.

Massachusetts – Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott Accused of Using Campaign Cash for Personal Use

MSN – Chris Van Buskirk (Boston Herald) | Published: 9/15/2025

Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott agreed to pay a $7,500 penalty and hand over tens of thousands of dollars in campaign cash to resolve allegations he misused political funds to contract services for personal business ventures instead of efforts to stay in elected office. In an agreement with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, regulators said McDermott made more than $31,000 in payments to 10 vendors where the documentation was either incomplete or indicated the money was used to serve a now-defunct real estate holding company or himself.

Massachusetts – MassGOP to Pay $36K After Allegations of Illegal Donations

MSN – Ross Cristantiello (Boston.com) | Published: 9/11/2025

The Massachusetts Republican Party faced allegations of taking tens of thousands of dollars in unlawful donation, including from the campaign of a congressional candidate who is now serving prison time, and has now agreed to pay the state more than $36,000 in a settlement agreement. The Office of Campaign and Political Finance flagged 11 donations the GOP received in 2022. By far the largest contribution, a check for $27,723.45, came from the congressional campaign of Dean Tran.

Michigan – Michigan Democrats Propose Penalties for Lying About Elections

Yahoo News – Hayley Harding (Votebeat) | Published: 9/11/2025

Intentionally lying about elections could draw a fine under a new bill proposed by Michigan Senate Democrats. The legislation would impose a $1,000 fine on anyone who knowingly lies about elections or a voter’s eligibility. Employers who had someone working for them “for election-related purposes,” such as a lobbyist who suggests certain groups are not eligible to vote early, could face a fine of up to $10,000.

Minnesota – Democrat Elected to Fill Seat of Minnesota Lawmaker Killed in June

MSN – Patrick Svitek and Sabrina Rodriguez (Washington Post) | Published: 9/16/2025

Democrat Xp Lee won a somber special election to fill the seat of former Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman. Lee was projected to defeat Republican Ruth Bittner, keeping the seat in Democratic hands and restoring an even divide between the two major parties in the House. The candidates competed in a race they wished was not happening. Hortman was shot dead, along with her husband, at their home in June.

Missouri – Missouri Senate Passes Trump-Backed Plan That Could Help Republicans Win an Additional US House Seat

MSN – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 9/12/2025

Missouri Republicans passed a redistricting plan that could help Republicans win an additional U.S. House seat in next year’s elections. The Senate vote sends the redistricting plan to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who said he will sign it into law soon. But opponents immediately announced a referendum petition that, if successful, could force a statewide vote on the new map.

New York – Former New York Prosecutor Maurene Comey Sues Over Firing by Justice Department

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 9/15/2025

Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor who handled cases against sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, sued the Justice Department for firing her allegedly because her father is disliked by President Trump. The lawsuit alleges the Justice Department offered no rationale for Comey’s firing and it was an illegal and political move. Her father is James Comey, a former FBI director whom Trump has long criticized.

New York – Cuomo’s Campaign Unlocked Matching Funds on Donations from Minors in Violation of CFB Rules

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 9/10/2025

Andrew Cuomo’s New York City mayoral campaign unlocked $4,000 in public matching funds off donations made in the names of minors in violation of fundraising compliance laws, according to records. The donors whose contributions produced the questionable matching cash include a five-year-old son of a prominent Cuomo supporter. The program’s rules are strict and include a prohibition on candidates seeking matching funds on contributions from anyone under 18.

Ohio – Cleveland City Council Votes to Censure Joe Jones After ‘Joking Remark’ About Killing a Staff Member

MSN – Sean McDonnell (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/15/2025

The Cleveland City Council censured Councilperson Joe Jones for breaking the workplace violence and standards of conduct policies. Jones said a “joking remark” he made was twisted and magnified into a controversy. Jones, who is accused of threatening to kill a staffer, said what was happening to him proved any member of the council could be targeted and punished without due process.

Oklahoma – Former Oklahoma Lawmaker Files Ballot Measure to Overhaul Legislative Process

Yahoo News – Barbara Hoberock (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 9/17/2025

A former Oklahoma lawmaker wants to dramatically alter how the Legislature conducts business. Former Rep. Charles Key filed paperwork to circulate a proposed constitutional amendment that would require three bills from every lawmaker to be heard in committee. State Question 839 would also require any bills advanced from committee to be heard on the House or Senate floor. Key said lobbyists and large money donors behind the scenes pick which bills get heard.

Oklahoma – Gamefowl Commission to Pay $10,000 in Settlement with Oklahoma Ethics Commission

Yahoo News – Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 9/17/2025

The Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission PAC will pay $10,000 and dissolve following a settlement with the state Ethics Commission for violating campaign finance laws. The Gamefowl Commission, which had advocated for lessening cockfighting penalties, must dissolve within 30 days and cannot form a new affiliated PAC for two years.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission to Investigate Travel by 4 Washington County Commissioners

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/12/2025

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to investigate whether four members of the Washington County commission violated state ethics law during trips they took on behalf of the county sewer agency. Investigators said Chairperson Kathryn Harrington and commissioners Pam Treece, Jerry Willey, and Nafisa Fai may have committed violations by receiving airline miles for trips they took on behalf of the agency, Clean Water Services. In addition, investigators said Harrington and Treece may have violated rules by tacking on personal vacation to the business trips.

Rhode Island – Lawmakers Changed RI’s Campaign Finance Rules. It’s Giving Foulkes a 2026 Fundraising Edge.

USA Today – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 9/15/2025

Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, who is challenging Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in a rematch of 2022, has built a healthy financial advantage, in part thanks to the higher individual donation limit that went into effect in 2024. Her ability to extract twice as much from each donor annually – $2,000 instead of $1,000 – has not only helped her to build a money edge over McKee, but also to narrow the financial gap with Rhode Island’s reigning fundraising champion, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, who shepherded the bill through the House and who could still decide to jump into the gubernatorial race.

Rhode Island – Former R.I. Senator and Housing Leader Fined $2,500 for Breaking Campaign Finance Laws

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 9/17/2025

Former Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors paid a $2,500 fine for unreported and misused campaign finance funds under an agreement with the Board of Elections. Connors has not held elected office since 2010. But he kept his campaign finance account open through subsequent jobs as a senior adviser to Gov. Gina Raimondo, and a high-ranking official under Gov. Dan McKee, including as interim secretary of the Department of Housing.

South Carolina – SC Supreme Court Upholds Voting Map, Throws Out Partisan Gerrymandering Claim

Yahoo News – Jessica Holdman (South Carolina Daily Gazette) | Published: 9/17/2025

The state Supreme Court upheld South Carolina’s congressional voting lines by ruling there is nothing unconstitutional about partisan gerrymandering. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in May 2024 that the lines did not racially discriminate, the League of Women Voters sued in state court, using Republicans’ arguments it was party, not race, that influenced the redrawing.

Tennessee – Cade Cothren, Aide to Ex-TN House Speaker Casada, Sentenced to 2.5 Years Prison

Yahoo News – Evan Mealins (Tennessean) | Published: 9/16/2025

Cade Cothren, former chief of staff to Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $25,000 for corruption tied to a political mailer scheme. Casada and Cothren were convicted of setting up a secret company called Phoenix Solutions that tapped into the state’s postage and printing program that provides House members $3,000 a year for constituent mailers.

Texas – Did the Top Texas Funeral Regulator Illegally Lobby the Legislature? The Law Is Murky, Experts Say

KERA – Toluwani Osibamowo | Published: 9/10/2025

In just two months, the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) fired its executive director, along with three people who supported him, sued the ex-employees who publicly discussed their firings, then dismissed that lawsuit. Before and after their firings, the former staffers maintained that Kristin Tips, TFSC’s head commissioner, improperly advocated for bills in the Legislature that could benefit her own funeral business and used state resources to do it, actions they say constitute illegal lobbying.

Utah – Utah Supreme Court Rejects Legislature’s Bid to Extend Use of Gerrymandered Congressional Maps, for Now

MSN – Emily Anderson Stern (Salt Lake Tribune) | Published: 9/15/2025

Current congressional maps drawn by the Utah Legislature in defiance of a passed voter initiative banning gerrymandering will, for now, not be reinstated, the state Supreme Court ruled. Attorneys for lawmakers asked that justices pause the portion of a District Court ruling that would have kept the boundaries in place until the Legislature adopts new ones and any appeals of the ruling conclude. If the high court had agreed, it would have opened the possibility of the current maps remaining in place for at least the 2026 midterm elections, if not longer.

Vermont – Ethics Take a Backseat in Vermont, Under-Funded Commission Not Taking New Municipal Cases

VTDigger.org – Auditi Guha | Published: 9/16/2025

The Vermont State Ethics Commission was established by the Legislature in 2018 as an independent, non-partisan agency to promote standards of ethical conduct in state government. A 2024 law gave it more purview over ethical standards for local governments, but the commission stopped offering services to municipalities in May, according to an announcement on the website, “due to lack of staffing.” It is continuing to accept complaints related to state government.

West Virginia – West Virginia Ethics Commission Promises to Focus on Mandatory Lobbyist Training

Parkersburg News and Sentinel – Steven Allen Adams | Published: 9/11/2025

A performance review of the West Virginia Ethics Commission conducted by legislative auditors revealed disparities between the commission The Performance Evaluation and Research Division found that while the commission demonstrated high effectiveness in ensuring lobbyists report their activities, the audit identified critical failures in the administration of ethics training requirements.

National/Federal

Google Finds Workaround for Lobbying That Omits Big Bosses

MSN – Ted Mann (Bloomberg) | Published: 8/14/2025

Google executives in 2018 were tired of seeing stories in the media that showed the company spent more on federal lobbying than any other corporation. Then Google apparently found a workaround. A new analysis shows Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc., used an internal reorganization to exclude the value of lobbying by its senior executives from disclosures. Google also moved its in-house lobbyists into a new subsidiary, called Google Client Services LLC. It is that unit which now files spending disclosures for Google’s lobbying activities.

Trump’s Answer to Numbers He Doesn’t Like: Change them or throw them away

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski, David Ovalle, Scott Dance, and Laura Meckler (Washington Post) | Published: 8/14/2025

President Trump presented inaccurate crime statistics to justify a federal takeover of the District of Columbia Police, announced plans for the census to stop counting undocumented immigrants, and ordered the firing of the official in charge of compiling basic statistics about the U.S. economy after a weak jobs report. It marked an escalation in Trump’s war on data, as he repeatedly tries to undermine statistics that threaten his agenda and distorts figures to bolster his policies.

Judge Dismisses 2 Counts Against US Rep. Cuellar of Texas, Moves Bribery Trial to Next Year

MSN – Juan Lozano (Associated Press) | Published: 8/14/2025

A judge granted a request by federal prosecutors to dismiss two of the 14 counts against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife, as part of a federal bribery and conspiracy indictment. Prosecutors had asked the judge to dismiss the counts related to violating the prohibition on public officials acting as agents of a foreign principal. Prosecutors said they were dismissing the two counts following a February memorandum from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that shifted the focus of charges filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Under Trump, the Education Dept. Has Flipped Its Civil Rights Mission

MSN – Laura Meckler (Washington Post) | Published: 8/18/2025

The Trump administration has upended civil rights enforcement at K-12 schools and colleges, prioritizing cases that allege transgender students and students of color are getting unfair advantages, while severe staff cuts have left thousands of other allegations unresolved. The office has a backlog of about 25,000 unresolved cases, up from about 20,000 when President Trump took office. At the same time, the civil rights office has announced investigations of at least 99 schools, often based on news coverage or complaints from conservative groups.

Newsmax to Pay $67 Million to Settle Dominion Defamation Lawsuit

MSN – Jeremy Barr (Washington Post) | Published: 8/18/2025

The conservative cable channel Newsmax agreed to pay $67 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by the voting technology company Dominion Voting Systems over the network’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election. Dominion sued Newsmax in 2021, arguing the network “manufactured, endorsed, repeated, and broadcast a series of verifiable false yet devastating lies about Dominion” that made it out to be guilty in a “colossal fraud” to steal the election for Joe Biden.

Inside the DNC’s Money Problems

MSN – Jessica Piper (Politico) | Published: 8/18/2025

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has fallen far behind in the cash race. Several months into rebuilding efforts under new party leadership, the DNC trails the Republican National Committee by nearly every fundraising metric. Major Democratic donors have withheld money this year amid skepticism about the party’s direction, while the small-dollar donors who have long been a source of strength are not growing nearly enough to make up the gap. The party has quickly churned through what money it has raised in the first half of the year.

Trump Budget Officials Claim Sweeping Spending Power from Congress, Records Show

MSN – Riley Beggin and Jacob Bogage (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2025

The Trump administration is asserting authority to withhold billions of dollars from low-income housing services, education assistance, medical research grants, and other programs approved by Congress, according to public documents. The new practices, which increase the leverage and power of budget chief Russell Vought, are likely to reignite a clash over the administration’s power to freeze dollars approved by Congress, usurping authority the legislative branch has under the Constitution.

Foundations Step in to Offer $37 Million Lifeline to Public Media

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2025

Major philanthropic organizations said they are committing nearly $37 million in emergency funding to keep public media stations afloat after Congress eliminated $1.1 billion in federal funding from PBS and NPR stations over the next two years. The Knight Foundation said it is most focused on helping the organizations that derived 30 percent of their annual budgets or more from federal funding doled out by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which recently announced it is shutting down in the face of defunding.

Republicans Push the Limits to Revamp Campaign Finance Operations

MSN – Ramsey Touchberry (Washington Examiner) | Published: 8/20/2025

Senate Republicans are pushing the boundaries of fundraising laws to fill their campaign coffers and stretch their ad spending to counter Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. The increased use of so-called joint fundraising committees to score cheaper ads is a relatively new trend that GOP operatives and candidates, particularly for the Senate, have leaned into the past year to save millions of dollars and mitigate what has historically been a Democratic fundraising advantage.

Seven Months In, Trump’s Revolving Door Reaching Full Swing

MSN – Caitlin Oprysko and Sophia Cai (Politico) | Published: 8/20/2025

Barely a half-year into President Trump’s second administration, a handful of senior White House aides are already heading for the exits and right through the “revolving door” between the federal government and K Street. The departures and the White House’s response to them illustrate the ways in which the administration continues to push the bounds of ethics norms and guardrails designed to prevent government officials from profiting off their time in public service.

California Races to Counter Texas in Nationwide Fight Over Election Maps

MSN – Maeve Reston (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2025

California Democrats are rushing to advance a plan to draw a new congressional map, aiming to counter Texas Republicans in a national fight between the two parties to seize an advantage in next year’s midterm elections. But the process in California has more hurdles because the state constitution requires that an independent nonpartisan panel draw its congressional maps. Voters must approve any constitutional amendment. The dueling efforts by the two most populous states mark an unusual mid-decade showdown over election maps.

Trump, GOP Portray Cities as Chaotic Dystopias in Need of Occupation

MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2025

As President Trump ramps up the military presence in Washington, and hints he may move to take over other cities, his crackdown punctuates a frequent Republican message that American cities embody chaos, lawlessness, and immorality, despite widespread recent drops in violent crime. With cities increasingly liberal and rural stretches ever more conservative, Republicans have a growing incentive to attack urban areas as the epitome of all that is wrong with America.

Democrats Alarmed Over New Data Showing Voters Fleeing to GOP

MSN – Amie Parnes (The Hill) | Published: 8/21/2025

Democrats are sounding the alarm on new data showing they are losing voters to Republicans across the country. A devastating New York Times report showed that of the 30 states that maintain voter registration records by political party, Democrats fell behind Republicans in all of them between the 2020 and 2024 elections. In total, Republicans added up to 4.5 million voters compared to Democrats, creating a huge hold that could set Democrats back for years.

Government’s Demand for Trans Care Info Sought Addresses, Doctors’ Notes, Texts

MSN – Casey Parks and David Ovalle (Washington Post) | Published: 8/20/2025

The Justice Department is demanding that hospitals turn over a wide range of sensitive information related to medical care for young transgender patients, including billing documents, communication with drug manufacturers, and data such as patient dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. The government’s unprecedented effort to gather this type of information related to gender transition care is having a chilling effect. Since the subpoenas went out, more than a dozen hospitals across the U.S. have scaled back or ended gender transition programs for people under the age of 19.

Two Big Law Firms Said to Be Doing Free Work for Trump Administration

Seattle Times – Michael Schmidt, Matthew Goldstein, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 8/20/2025

At least two large law firms that struck deals with President Trump to avoid punitive executive orders have committed to doing free legal work for the Commerce Department, according to two people briefed on the matter. In the past, some law firms have done work for the federal government at a reduced rate. But coming just months after they struck deals with the president, the free work is likely to raise new questions about whether Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Kirkland & Ellis felt compelled to do so to stay in Trump’s good graces.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Exclusive Ottawa Fundraising Event Draws Dozens of Lobbyists – Despite Liberal Promises

MSN – Maeve Ellis and Carly Penrose (Investigative Journalism Foundation) | Published: 8/19/2025

The annual Laurier Club Summer Reception and Garden Party is an exclusive event for Liberal supporters who donate the legal maximum of $1,750 to the federal party each year. It is a must-attend soiree not just for politicians, but also those hoping to influence them. An analysis found dozens of registered lobbyists attended this year’s event, gaining access to cabinet ministers without triggering federal lobbying disclosure rules.

Arizona – State Refers GOP AG Hopeful Rodney Glassman for Prosecution Over Illegal Donations

Yahoo News – Caitlin Sievers (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 8/19/2025

Prosecutors are investigating Rodney Glassman, a top Republican candidate for attorney general in Arizona, after state elections officials said they believe he violated campaign finance contribution limits numerous times over the last year. In 2024, when the limit in Arizona for individual donations was $5,400, Glassman accepted 22 donations for amounts beyond that, according to a complaint submitted to the secretary of state’s office.

California – Public Funding for Elections? The Idea Is Back in California

MSN – Frank Stoltze (LAist) | Published: 8/19/2025

A group of legislators is seeking to lift the ban on public financing for elections in California, a move to counter the ever-increasing amount of money spent on campaigns in the state. Supporters say the California Fair Elections Act could be a game changer for underfunded candidates facing well-financed opponents and make races more competitive. Right now, only cities governed by their own charter may enact public financing. Five of the state’s 121 charter cities have done that.

California – An Instagram with 60,000 Followers Linked to a Nonprofit Quietly Changed to a CA-40 Candidate’s Campaign Page. Now, a Rival Is Asking the FEC to Investigate

Orange County Register – Kaitlyn Schallhorn | Published: 8/14/2025

How much are social media followers worth to a congressional campaign? That question, along with how a candidate can go about amassing a following, are at the crux of a recent campaign finance complaint involving two Democratic rivals in the race for California’s 40th Congressional District. The use of social media is not new for campaigns, but it is still a bit of a “Wild West” in terms of how it is regulated by the FEC, said Michael Kowal, an expert in campaign finance and social media who teaches at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

District of Columbia – Justice Department Investigating D.C. Police Over Alleged Fake Crime Data

MSN – Perry Stein and Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2025

The Justice Department is investigating whether Distrct of Columbia police manipulated data to make crime rates appear lower, escalating tensions between the Trump administration and local officials who have repeatedly cited drops in violent crime to protest the need for a federal takeover of law enforcement. The criminal probe is expected to examine the actions of multiple police officials, according to people familiar with the investigation.

Florida – How Miami Officials Use a Private Marlins Suite Meant for Charities

MSN – Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/20/2025

Using more than a dozen complimentary tickets, City Commissioner Ralph Rosado attended a recent game Miami Marlins game with his family, staff from his district office, and some of their family members. The group watched the game from one of the stadium’s “MVP Suites,” which can cost as much as $4,566 per game. But the specific box Rosado was in is not meant for elected officials and their inner circle. The purpose of the box, which an operating agreement refers to as the “community suite,” is for “public or charity use.”

Indiana – Energy Lobby Ramped Up Spending on Lawmakers Amid Push for Nuclear. It Worked

Indianapolis Star – Marissa Meador | Published: 8/21/2025

The Indiana legislators ushering in a new era of nuclear power were showered with sports tickets and meals from the very utility companies that stood to benefit from the incentive-packed legislation, lobbying records show. Among those lawmakers were powerful utility committee chairs, Sen. Eric Koch and Rep. Ed Soliday, who led the charge on legislation to incentivize small modular reactors.

Louisiana – New Orleans Mayor Misused Public Funds on Romantic Getaways, Prosecutors Say

MSN – Ben Brasch (Washington Post) | Published: 8/15/2025

A federal grand jury indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, accusing her of pursuing an illicit affair with her police bodyguard at taxpayers’ expense, then lying to federal officials and deleting evidence to hide the relationship. Investigators allege Cantrell cost the public about $70,000 by bringing the bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie II, on the trips. At the time, Vappie was a New Orleans police officer. Vappie was indicted on similar charges in July after allegedly joining the mayor on trips to Los Angeles, Orlando, Scotland, and the United Arab Emirates.

Michigan – Michigan Lawmaker Cites Sheetz Hiring of Local Official, Drafting Bill to Ban Practice

MSN – Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 8/18/2025

State Rep. Donni Steele told local Republican leaders in Oakland County she wants to change Michigan law to bar county elected officials from holding outside jobs, citing a powerful elected Democrat who also works for a gas station empire. Steele referenced Oakland County Commission Chairperson Dave Woodward’s side job working as a consultant for Sheetz, a convenience store chain looking to expand in southeast Michigan.

Minnesota – Security Panel Tackles Question of Guns, Metal Detectors at Minnesota Capitol

MSN – Nathaniel Minor (Minneapolis Star Tribune) | Published: 8/20/2025

Guns and metal detectors at the Minnesota Capitol could become a sticking point this fall among members of a committee that advises lawmakers on security issues. Minnesota is one of about 10 states that do not require security screening such as metal detectors to enter their Capitol buildings. Security at the Minnesota Capitol complex has been under renewed scrutiny since Sen. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed at their homes in June.

New York – Homeless People Said They Were Paid to Be Listed as Donors for a Senate Candidate

Albany Times Union – Emilie Munson | Published: 8/15/2025

An Albany Times Union investigation uncovered information that Caleb Slater, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for the New York Senate last year in the Syracuse region, reported contributions of $250 from several homeless people who told the newspaper they never donated money to his campaign and were paid to submit contribution forms for the campaign. One man said he was paid to recruit donors and front the contributions on their behalf. Two other donors said they contributed money to the campaign and were paid double for their donations by Slater.

New York – Brother’s Keepers: How two top Adams officials helped their sibling succeed

MSN – Greg Smith (The City) | Published: 8/18/2025

David Banks, the then-chancellor of the New York City school system, appeared in a video touting the benefits of 21st Century Education products as used in city school districts. The video, posted to YouTube, ends with a solicitation by the company: “Give us a call today so we can future-proof your students and educators.” This endorsement of a for-profit firm by the head of the nation’s biggest public school system did not come about completely out of the blue. As it happened, 21st Century Education had made a prescient behind-the-scenes investment by hiring a government relations consultant: David Banks’ brother.

New York – Eric Adams Advisor Winnie Greco Handed a CITY Reporter Cash Stuffed in a Bag of Potato Chips

MSN – Greg Smith and Yoav Gonen (The City) | Published: 8/20/2025

A former top City Hall advisor and current campaign aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams attempted to give money to a reporter following a campaign event. The failed payoff – a wad of cash in an envelope stuffed inside an opened bag of potato chips – was made by Winnie Greco, who resigned last year from her position as the mayor’s liaison to the Asian community after she was targeted in multiple investigations. A spokesperson said Greco has been suspended from the campaign.

New York – Appeals Court Voids $500 Million Fine in N.Y. Case Against Trump, Leaves Fraud Finding

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2025

A state appeals court voided the civil fraud penalty against President Trump, calling the roughly $500 million verdict against him and his real estate empire “excessive: while leaving in place a lower court’s finding that fraud was committed. New York Attorney General Letitia James won the civil case against Trump, his company, two of his adult children, and two former executives last year when a state court judge determined they collectively committed a long-running fraud and specific illegal acts were employed including falsification of business records, conspiracy, and insurance fraud.

New York – ‘They Can Kiss My Ass’: Top Adams aide ran brazen pressure campaign, indictments claim

Politico – Jeff Coltin | Published: 8/21/2025

The former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams ran bribery schemes out of City Hall, selling off her help as a public official four different times to people willing to give her money or gifts, according to a series of indictments. Ingrid Lewis-Martin is accused by a grand jury of helping friends secure city contracts and expediting their regulatory issues with city government in exchange for cash payments to her son, karaoke parties, free home renovations, nearly $10,000 worth of seafood for city events, and a guest appearance on the television show “Godfather of Harlem.”

New York – Crypto-Fueled Pro-Adams Super PAC Slow to Disclose Spending to City Panel

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 8/19/2025

A cryptocurrency industry-backed super PAC that is boosting Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection run failed to disclose its spending to New York City campaign finance regulators for weeks, potentially opening it up to fines. Empower NYC has to date spent more than $330,000 on ads, consultants, and get-out-the-vote canvassing efforts as the mayor faces long odds as an independent candidate in November’s election. PACs must start reporting expenditures every Monday to the CFB once they exceed $1,000 in spending on any given race.

New York – Turkish Businessman Hit with Probation, Fines for Funneling Illegal Cash to Mayor Adams’ Campaign

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt and Molly Crane-Newman (New York Daily News) | Published: 8/15/2025

Construction company executive Erden Arkan was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay more than $27,000 in fines after pleading guilty to pumping illegal straw donations into New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign coffers as part of a scheme prosecutors say involved Turkey’s government. Though the related criminal case against Adams is over, it was revealed that Arkan has been cooperating in the city Campaign Finance Board’s ongoing investigation into allegations the mayor’s 2021 and 2025 campaigns engaged in a variety of straw donor schemes.

North Dakota – North Dakota Ethics Attorney Calls Out AG’s Office; Lawmakers Call for Civility

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 8/15/2025

A career attorney who assisted in a state Ethics Commission investigation told lawmakers that she thinks the attorney general’s office is pressuring the commission’s staff to resign. The attorney general’s office and the Ethics Commission have been at odds since this year’s legislative session. In February, the agency told lawmakers the commission would infringe on the state constitution if it tried to penalize officials who violate ethics laws. The Ethics Commission says the constitution grants it this authority.

Ohio – Ohio Ethics Commission OKs Public Officials Keeping Frequent Flyer Miles from Work Travel

MSN – Kaitlin Durbin (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 8/14/2025

Ohio public officials and government employees may now keep and personally benefit from frequent flyer miles, hotel points, and other rewards earned during official travel under certain conditions, according to a new ruling from the Ohio Ethics Commission. The advisory opinion clarifies that such rewards may be kept for personal use so long as they are accrued under the same conditions available to the public and do not increase the cost to the government.

Ohio – Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones Threatened to Kill Staffer, Report Finds

MSN – Cory Shaffer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 8/14/2025

Cleveland City Councilperson Joe Jones threatened the life of a staffer earlier this year, according to a letter from council leadership summarizing the results of an outside investigation that found credible a new set of allegations into the embattled council member. The council will vote at its September meeting to censure Jones, who was already stripped of his committee assignments in January after a separate investigation into multiple complaints of bullying and harassment.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Will Test Some Incoming Teachers with ‘America-First’ Exam

MSN – Daniel Wu (Washington Post) | Published: 8/19/2025

Teachers from New York and California who apply to teach in Oklahoma will now have to answer questions meant to screen out “woke indoctrinators” with left-wing views, the latest attempt by Oklahoma officials to push the state’s education system rightward. Teachers unions have criticized the move as a political stunt that will discourage applicants as Oklahoma faces a teacher shortage.

Oregon – Portland City Councilors Accused of Breaking Public Meetings Law Won’t Face Investigation Due to Technicality

MSN – Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 8/19/2025

State and local officials said they will not investigate allegations that a group of seven Portland city council members broke transparency rules, citing a state law that provides only a narrow window in which grievances can be filed. The decision drew sharp criticism from experts, who warned the provision undermines accountability. Complaints were made following a Willamette Week article that reported a council bloc constantly over a private text message thread throughout public budget meetings this spring.

Rhode Island – R.I. Ethics Commission Wrestles with Lawmaker’s Bid to Rejoin List of Attorneys Hired by State

Yahoo News – Christopher Shea (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 8/19/2025

Does a state lawmaker qualify as an independent contractor when hired by Rhode Island’s court system to represent clients who cannot otherwise rely on a public defender? Rhode Island Ethics Commission staff say the state’s ethics code bars Rep. Jason Knight from rejoining the judiciary’s roster of attorneys representing indigent clients because he is a lawmaker and thus an independent contractor that would be paid by the court. But the panel is now exploring whether there is a way to let him back without running afoul of its own “revolving door” rule.

Tennessee – Critical Report Shows How Knox County Officials Abused Their Power: Cars, hotels and data

MSN – Allie Feinberg and Tyler Whetstone (Knoxville News Sentinel) | Published: 8/9/2025

From using county SUVs and trucks for personal travel to staying in pricey hotels to making whopping profits on property transactions made with insider information, some Knox County government staff blurred the lines of legality, state watchdog investigators say. In two cases, a grand jury decided, they demolished those legal lines: Property Assessor Phil Ballard and former director of operations Jason Dobbins were charged with felony counts of official misconduct.

West Virginia – Casting a Long Shadow: Former state auditor employee, foundation president may have tested West Virginia’s lobbying rules

Parkersburg News and Sentinel – Steven Allen Adams | Published: 8/16/2025

In April, West Virginia Family Policy Council President Caiden Cowger was upstairs at the Capitol lobbying lawmakers during the recent legislative session to support bills of importance to his organization. Downstairs, Cowger was working for the state auditor’s office. Cowger is alleged to have violated state law by lobbying while working as a part-time temporary public employee and parted ways with the auditor’s office after it was brought to their attention. But questions remain about what Cowger’s role at the office was and his job responsibilities there, as well as his lobbying work.

 A bill introduced in the House would prohibit lawmakers from receiving free sports tickets. House Bill 409 prohibits members of the General Assembly from knowingly accepting a free or discounted ticket to a professional sporting event, unless the free or discounted ticket is given or sold as part of a promotion generally available to the public, and on the same terms as generally available to the public. The bill defines professional sporting event as a sporting or athletic event played by a team that is a member of the national football league, the national hockey league, major league baseball, major league soccer, or the national basketball association.

National/Federal

AOC’s Met Gala Appearance Violated House Gift Rules, Ethics Panel Says

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/25/2025

The House Committee on Ethics determined U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez failed to comply with the chamber’s gift rule as part of her appearance at the 2021 Met Gala, determining she improperly accepted free admission to the gala for her partner and failed to pay full fair market value for some of the items she wore at the event. Ocasio-Cortez and her counsel, the report states, sought to comply with ethics requirements, but found she accepted more than $3,700 in rented apparel but paid less than $1,000.

Ethics Panel: Pennsylvania Republican violated code of conduct with spouse’s stock trades

MSN – Mychael Schnell (The Hill) | Published: 7/25/2025

The House ethics committee “found substantial evidence” that U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly violated the chamber’s code of conduct when his wife profited off stock trades for a company he was focusing on in Washington. The panel found Kelly breached the code of conduct “by failing to meet his duty of candor.” The committee ordered he and his wife to divest their investments in Cleveland-Cliffs, the steel manufacturer at the center of the report.

Democrats Desperately Look for a Redistricting Edge in California, New York and Maryland

MSN – Liz Crampton, Jeremy White, and Nick Reisman (Politico) | Published: 7/26/2025

Democratic leaders are feeling pressure to join a brewing redistricting battle that is threatening to upend the midterms landscape, an effort that is likely to slam into legal and political reality. As Texas Republicans pressed forward with redistricting designed to increase the number of red seats in the state, officials in the biggest Democratic states scrambled for a response.

Justice Dept. Escalates Attacks on U.S. Judge Handling Deportation Cases

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2025

The Justice Department is escalating its attacks on the federal judge whom it has repeatedly clashed with during the Trump administration’s efforts to deport accused Venezuelan gang members under a rarely invoked wartime law. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced her office filed a misconduct complaint against James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Senate Confirms Controversial Trump Nominee Emil Bove as Federal Judge

MSN – Perry Stein and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2025

The Senate approved the nomination of Emil Bove, President Trump’s former defense lawyer, to serve on a U.S. appeals court, confirming the controversial nominee to a lifetime appointment on the federal bench. Bove has been the most controversial of the 15 judges whom Trump has nominated to date in his second term, with Senate Democrats and three whistleblowers saying he is unfit for a job in which he would be expected to make judicial rulings without consideration of politics.

Senate Democrats Try to Force Release of Epstein Files Using Arcane Law

MSN – Lauren Fox and Katelyn Polantz (CNN) | Published: 7/30/2025

Senate Democrats are using an arcane procedural tool to try to force the Department of Justice to release additional files from the Jeffrey Epstein case, the latest gambit to keep the issue front-and-center as lawmakers prepare for their August recess. Democrats are basing their request on a nearly 100-year-old law that allows five or more members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee to request information from the administration even when they are in the minority and lack subpoena power. The law has not been regularly used, nor is it clear whether it would yield the documents Democrats are seeking.

How Trump’s Personal Attorney Wound Up Investigating the Epstein Case at DOJ

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Michael Kranish (Washington Post) | Published: 7/31/2025

Todd Blanche was asked at his Senate confirmation hearing whether being President Trump’s lawyer in his hush money trial and other cases meant he would have a “continuing duty of loyalty and confidentiality” to his former client even after becoming deputy attorney general. Now that loyalty, and the question of a potential conflict-of-interest, has become a key component of the questions swirling about Trump’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged with sex trafficking and died in prison in 2019.

Gluesenkamp Perez Wants Cognitive Standards in Congress; Colleagues Disagree

Seattle Times – Annie Karni (New York Times) | Published: 7/26/2025

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez offered an amendment to the federal spending bill that aimed to create basic guidelines in Congress to ensure that members were able to do their jobs “unimpeded by significant irreversible cognitive impairment.” Her amendment was rejected in a committee. But Perez does not plan to drop the issue, which she said is a major concern for voters. Democrats have been grappling with generational tensions since Joe Biden’s forced exit from the presidential race last year.

Donor Who Fooled Investors She Had Access to Trump Pleads Guilty in $31.5M Scam

Yahoo News – John Annese (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/30/2025

Sherry Xue Li, a Donald Trump donor who once rubbed elbows with the president at a 2017 fundraiser, admitted to running a $31.5 million scam, falsely promising foreigners they would get green cards and a back channel to Trump for investing in an upstate New York real estate project. Li and an accomplice donated $600,000 to the Trump Victory Fund to get a dozen people from China and Singapore into a fundraiser at Trump’s Washington hotel. The money came from the foreign nationals’ wallets, and they served as straw donors.

From the States and Municipalities

Arkansas – Court Restricts Who Can Bring Voting Rights Challenges in a Case Involving Voters with Disabilities

MSN – Gary Fields (Associated Press) | Published: 7/28/2025

A federal appeals court panel ruled private individuals and organizations cannot bring voting rights cases under a section of the law that allows others to assist voters who are blind, have disabilities, or are unable to read. It is the latest ruling from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, saying only the government can bring lawsuits alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act. The findings upend decades of precedent and will likely be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

California – Disneyland Resort Interests Face Off in Lawsuit After Corruption Scandal

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 7/30/2025

The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce is suing the controversial tourism bureau, Visit Anaheim, for ending a contract state auditors concluded was entered into improperly. The chamber, which almost shuttered its doors earlier this year, demanded over $7 million dollars from Visit Anaheim, alleging they wrongfully ended their contract because of political pressure amid fallout in a corruption scandal.

Connecticut – Ex-Bridgeport Official Gets Time Served for Lying Under Oath About Political Fundraiser

MSN – Alex Wood (Journal Inquirer) | Published: 7/29/2025

Former Bridgeport Board of Education Chair Jessica Martinez was sentenced to time already spent in federal custody for lying to a federal grand jury about her knowledge of a campaign fundraiser for former state Sen. Dennis Bradley. The false testimony occurred in 2020 when a grand jury was investigating the possibility that Bradley’s campaign defrauded Connecticut’s system for public funding of campaigns by providing false information about fundraising.

Florida – Hope Florida Charity Says DeSantis Officials Didn’t Need to Report Gifts

Yahoo News – Lawrence Mower (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 7/29/2025

Gifts over $100 from state-created charities, such as the Hope Florida Foundation that sponsored a fundraiser attended by lawmakers and executive branch officials, must be reported to the state ethics commission. But after the media wrote about the vent and the free hotel rooms and other swag that attendees received, the president of the Hope Florida Foundation instructed attendees not to report anything to the commission because these were not gifts. The attendees’ “assistance” at the event was worth more than any gifts they received, Foundation President Joshua Hay wrote.

Georgia – First Liberty-Connected PAC Is Accused of Illegally Influencing Elections in Ethics Complaint

Yahoo News – Ross Williams (Georgia Recorder) | Published: 7/30/2025

A conservative political action committee associated with the family at the heart of the ongoing First Liberty Building & Loan scandal illegally influenced elections in Georgia to the tune of more than $220,000, according to a complaint filed by the State Ethics Commission. The complaint alleges the Georgia Republican Assembly PAC failed to register as an independent committee before making expenditures to affect the outcome of recent elections. The complaint also alleges the PAC failed to file 24 required disclosure reports.

Georgia – State Election Board Accuses Lyft of Violating the Law by Offering Discounted Rides to the Polls

Yahoo News – Maya Homan | Published: 7/30/2025

The State Election Board accused Lyft of violating Georgia’s election law by offering discounted rides to users who were heading to the polls. The board alleges the rideshare company violated a provision of the election code that prohibits “giving or receiving, offering to give or receive, or participating in the giving or receiving of money or gifts for registering as a voter, voting, or voting for a particular candidate.”

Idaho – Witnesses Describe ‘Enraged’ Mayor Allegedly Pulling a Gun on City Council Due to ‘Conflict of Interest’

MSN – Kaitlyn Hart (East Idaho News) | Published: 7/30/2025

Multiple people say Butte City Mayor Kevin Turner pointed a gun at them during a city council meeting after they brought up issues about cyberbullying from a public official. Turner was arrested and charged with misdemeanor exhibition or use of a deadly weapon. Police reports state that during a council meeting, Turner slammed his holstered gun on the table “like a gavel” while attempting to fire Councilperson Steven Avery. As Avery is an elected official, he cannot be fired; he would have to be recalled by voters in an election.

Illinois – Ex-Worth Township Supervisor Gets Probation in Oak Lawn Red-Light Camera Bribery Case

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/30/2025

John O’Sullivan, a onetime Worth Township supervisor and Illinois lawmaker, was sentenced to 18 months of probation for his role in a scheme to pay bribes to get lucrative red-light cameras installed in a Chicago suburb. O’Sullivan pleaded guilty more than four years ago to conspiring with longtime political operative Patrick Doherty and an executive representing red-light camera company SafeSpeed to pay bribes in exchange for the official support of an Oak Lawn trustee to put the ticketing cameras at additional intersections.

Illinois – 2 Years Probation for Former Assessor’s Employee Who Pleaded Guilty to Bribery

Yahoo News – Sam Charles (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/29/2025

A former employee in the Cook County assessor’s office was sentenced to two years of probation after a federal judge credited his extensive cooperation with investigators. Francisco Perez pleaded guilty to one count of bribery conspiracy after federal authorities accused him of accepting low-level bribes from employees of three local law firms in return for lowering property value assessments.

Indiana – Five-Star Stays and Michelin-Starred Meals: Interest groups foot the bill for congressional travel

Yahoo News – Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism staff | Published: 7/29/2025

Members of Indiana’s U.S. House delegation and their staffers accepted roughly $640,000 in privately sponsored international travel since 2020. House rules prohibit representatives from knowingly accepting privately funded travel or gifts from registered lobbyists or foreign agents, but interest groups commonly create charitable nonprofit arms to continue sponsoring congressional travel.

Kentucky – Grossberg Drops Lawsuit vs. KY Ethics Commission – but Plans to Take Case to Federal Court

MSN – Lucas Aulbach (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 7/30/2025

Embattled state Rep. Daniel Grossberg is dropping the lawsuit he filed against the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. But the case is not over. Grossberg, who sought to stop the commission from continuing its misconduct investigation into complaints made against him, plans to file a separate lawsuit in federal court instead.

Maine – Maine’s Democracy Is Strong Despite Socioeconomic Barriers to Access, Report Finds

Yahoo News – Eesha Pendharkar (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/25/2025

Maine’s democracy remains among the most accessible and resilient in the nation, with strong voter turnout, a largely representative state Legislature, and an increased shift toward clean elections, despite some socioeconomic inequities in voting. That is according to the 2025 State of Democracy in Maine report, which offers an assessment of several areas of the state’s democratic health – voter turnout, clean elections, campaign finance, government transparency, and accountability.

Maryland – Out of Jail, Ex-Pr. George’s Council Member Becomes Another’s Chief of Staff

MSN – Lateshia Beachum (Washington Post) | Published: 7/30/2025

Former Prince George’s County council member Mel Franklin landed a county job just weeks after his release from incarceration for stealing more than $100,000 from his campaign fund and then lying about it. Franklin will be chief of staff for at-large Councilperson Calvin Hawkins II, who served nearly six years in prison after being convicted of armed robbery at 21.

Maryland – McKay Session-in-Review Books Face Critical Ethics, Campaign Finance Reviews

Yahoo News – Bryan Sears (Maryland Matters) | Published: 7/25/2025

“The 90 Day Report,” a paperback by Maryland Sen. Mike McKay and available on Amazon, provides a detailed look at every bill the veteran lawmaker sponsored or cast a final vote on during the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions. McKay sees the print-on-demand books as a cost-efficient modernization of the traditional lawmaker practice of informing constituents of their doings during the 90-day legislative session. But ethics and campaign officials are looking at it against a tangle of ethics rules. Even if strictly legal, it could run afoul of ethics laws warning of the “appearance” of an ethics issue.

Massachusetts – Amid Criticism, Healey Names Hospitals’ Top Lobbyist to State Health Policy Board

WBUR – Chris Lisinski (State House News Service) | Published: 7/25/2025

After several days of fielding criticism about the move behind the scenes, Gov. Maura Healey named the state’s top hospital lobbyist to a position at the regulatory agency that oversees virtually all major health care decisions, including those directly affecting his clients, in Massachusetts. The Healey administration defended the selection of Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association President Steve Walsh, saying he fulfills a statutory requirement for a member of the Health Policy Commission’s board to come from a hospital background.

Michigan – Subpoena Targets Michigan AG Dana Nessel Over Stalled ‘Dark Money’ Probe

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 7/24/2025

More than two years after state campaign finance officials said a dark money group likely violated Michigan law by raising money for a ballot committee without disclosing donors, Republicans are questioning why the criminal referral went nowhere under Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel. The House Oversight Committee authorized a subpoena for related communications within Nessel’s office, citing her wife’s role as co-chair for the ballot committee to which the funding ultimately flowed.

Michigan – Michigan Ballot Initiative Aims to Reveal ‘Dark Money’ Donors Behind Political Ads

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 7/30/2025

A potential ballot proposal to change Michigan’s campaign finance law could upend political giving and advertising in the state, hamstringing prolific political donors and revealing major sources of dark money spending. Michiganders for Money Out of Politics is seeking to put a proposal on the 2026 ballot that would ban regulated utilities and state government contractors from making contributions to state candidates and a broad array of other political spending. It would also require any outside spending group making even tangential reference to a candidate or ballot issue to report their spending totals and donors to the state.

Missouri – Grand Jury Indicts Top Democrat in St. Louis County Government on Felony Charges

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 7/30/2025

The top elected official in Missouri’s largest county was indicted on four criminal charges for allegedly misusing public money to oppose passage of an April ballot measure. The indictment accuses St. Louis County Executive Sam Page of spending public funds on a flyer and direct mail postcard for the vote on a proposal that would have curbed his power.

Missouri – Missouri Ethics Panel Dismisses Complaint Involving Republican State Senator

Yahoo News – Jason Hancock (Missouri Independent) | Published: 7/29/2025

A complaint alleging state Sen. Joe Nicola was using his church as a PAC was formally dismissed by the Missouri Ethics Commission. The complaint alleged New Covenant Ministries, where Nicola serves as president and pastor, should have registered as a PAC because it raised money to boost Nicola’s campaign for state Senate last year.

New Jersey – Alina Habba’s Future as New Jersey’s Top Federal Prosecutor Faces Legal Test

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2025

President Trump’s effort to keep Alina Habba in charge of the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey is facing a legal challenge that could influence his ability to extend terms for some of his other controversial picks to lead prosecutor’s offices across the country. Defendants in a drug and gun case set to go to trial in New Jersey are urging a federal court to toss the charges, arguing that Habba, a former Trump defense lawyer, has no legal standing to exercise prosecutorial powers.

New York – All in the Family: Relatives helped NY candidates garner public funds

Albany Times Union – Emilie Munson | Published: 7/27/2025

Fifty-eight candidates for the Senate and Assembly in New York donated to their own campaigns and then filed claims for matching state funds to amplify their platforms in 2024. At least 113 candidates claimed matching funds for contributions they, their spouses, or their family members made. The practice is allowed by state Election Law. Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay said rules like matching funds for candidates’ own contributions are exactly why many Republicans, like him, opposed implementation of the program.

North Dakota – Supreme Court Pauses Ruling That Weakens Voting Rights Act in Some States

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2025

The Supreme Court paused a lower court ruling that bars individuals in seven Midwestern states from bringing racial discrimination lawsuits under the Voting Rights Act. The justices sided with Native American tribes that sought the emergency stay, arguing the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit gutted a powerful tool that helps ensure voting maps are drawn equitably.

North Dakota – ND Ethics Commission OKs Lawmakers’ Expenses-Paid Trip to Israel as ‘Educational’

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 7/30/2025

At least one North Dakota lawmaker has been invited to an all-expenses-paid trip to meet with Israel leaders in September, and the state Ethics Commission says he can accept. The five-day trip would be paid for by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which pitches the tour as an opportunity for U.S. lawmakers to learn about the nation’s culture, heritage, and government. The Ethics Commission determined the trip is fair game because the organizers say it is purely educational and no lobbying will take place.

Ohio – Despite Trump Pardon, Cincinnati Dem Pushes Appeal That Could Have Major Ramifications

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/25/2025

Despite a pardon form President Trump, Former Cincinnati City Council member PG Sittenfeld is trying to get his corruption conviction overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. His appeal, which legal experts say might be the first of its kind, could have ramifications far beyond his case. Sittenfeld was convicted of bribery after accepting $20,000 from undercover FBI agents in exchange for lining up votes for a development project. The appeal asks the Supreme Court to more clearly draw a line between a legal campaign contribution and a bribe.

Oklahoma – Board Members Say Naked Women on TV in Ryan Walters’ Office During Closed Session

Yahoo News – Murray Evans (Oklahoman) | Published: 7/25/2025

An executive session of the Oklahoma State Board of Education was interrupted when images of naked women were seen on a television screen in the office of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, where the session was held, two board members said. Board members had been meeting behind closed doors to discuss teacher licensing, student attendance appeals, and other sensitive issues. Walters chairs the board. It is unclear who was responsible for the images or why they were broadcast. Walters was seated with his back to the television screen, which would not have been in Walters’ direct view.

Texas – Texas House Democrats Are Fundraising to Potentially Leave the State to Block GOP-Backed Redistricting

MSN – Owen Dahlkamp (Texas Tribune) | Published: 7/29/2025

As Republicans in Texas move ahead with a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts, Democrats are privately mulling their options, including an expensive and legally dicey quorum break. If they go that route, it appears they will have the backing of wealthy donors. By fleeing the state to deprive the Legislature of enough members to function, Democrats would each incur a fine of $500 per day and face the threat of arrest. Donors within the party appear ready to cover these expenses.

Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Senate Hopeful, Claimed 3 Homes as His Primary Residence

MSN – Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) | Published: 7/24/2025

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife are longtime owners of a $1.5 million house in a gated community outside Dallas. In 2015, they snapped up a second home in Austin, then another. But mortgages signed by the Paxtons contained inaccurate statements declaring that each of those three houses was their primary residence, enabling the now-estranged couple to improperly lock in low interest rates. The mortgage revelations are likely to become fodder in the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat. The situation is further complicated by the Trump administration’s criminal pursuit of Democrats over similar issues.

Texas – Texas Senate Passes Bill to Bar Local Government like Dallas from Hiring Outside Lobbyists

MSN – Karen Brooks Harper and Devyani Chhetri (Dallas News) | Published: 7/30/2025

Texas lawmakers moved a notch closer in their quest to bar local governments from using public dollars on outside lobbyists. The GOP-dominated Texas Senate approved the bill amid a debate that has largely focused on whether the state was reforming where taxpayer dollars are spent or whether it was eroding local influence.

Utah – Utah Nonprofit Spent Millions of Taxpayer Funds on Private Company, Vacations, State Auditor Finds

MSN – Brigham Tomco (Deseret News) | Published: 7/29/2025

The president of a Utah nonprofit manufacturing consultant misused millions of dollars of public funds meant for a federal and state manufacturing program, according to a state audit. The review revealed iMpact Utah spent between $1.8 and $2.8 million in transfers to a for-profit company where the president is a majority shareholder, as well as political donations, personal trips, and “excessive” executive compensation in a three-year span.

Virginia – The Largest Donor to Rouse’s Lieutenant Governor Campaign Won’t Be Known Until Months After the Primary

Cardinal News – Elizabeth Beyer | Published: 7/28/2025

A federal PAC was one of the largest donors to Virginia Sen. Aaron Rouse’s campaign for lieutenant governor. Where that money came from will not be known until months after the primary election. A difference in reporting requirements between the FEC and the State Board of Elections has created a loophole that allows federal PACs to temporarily shield the source of their money, even as they contribute to state candidates in Virginia’s off-year elections.

Virginia – Is It Time for Virginia to Stop Holding Elections Every Year? Lawmakers Are Taking a Serious Look

Virginia Mercury – Markus Schmidt | Published: 7/31/2025

The Joint Subcommittee to Study the Consolidation and Scheduling of General Elections met for the first time to begin exploring whether Virginia, one of just a handful of states with statewide elections in odd-numbered years, should sync up with the federal calendar and move all general elections to even-numbered years. The idea may seem like a bureaucratic scheduling tweak. But in practice, it would touch nearly every aspect of Virginia politics, from voter turnout and local governance to campaign finance and the nationalization of state issues.