National/Federal

A Spike in Demand, and Fees, for Lobbyists with Ties to Trump

DNyuz – Kenneth Vogel and Kate Kelly (New York Times) | Published: 11/7/2024

In corporate boardrooms and foreign capitals, there is a scramble to sign lobbyists who could help navigate an incoming administration viewed with uncertainty and concern. Companies and foreign countries have long relied on lobbyists to guide them through the shifts in power on Capitol Hill or the White House. But since Donald Trump first upended global politics in 2016, he has continued to confound establishment gatekeepers on K Street. It has led to a delicate dance in which a relatively small group of lobbyists have sought to demonstrate their value to him and to cautious clients, without running afoul of the sensitivities of either.

Nonprofits Vow a New Resistance. Will Donors Pay Up?

DNyuz – David Fahrenthold and Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 11/13/2024

In Donald Trump’s first term as president, some of his toughest opponents were left-leaning nonprofit groups. They bogged down his immigration and environmental policies with lawsuits and protests and were rewarded with a huge “Trump bump” in donations. Some of those groups are promising to do it all over again, but this time it could be a lot harder. Trump’s administration could learn from past mistakes and avoid the procedural errors that made its rules easier to challenge, and the higher courts are seeded with judges appointed by Trump. Nonprofits are also finding some supporters are not energized by another round of resistance.

Gaetz Resigned Days Before Ethics Investigation Report Expected

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Jacqueline Alemany, and Marianne Levine (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2024

The House Committee on Ethics was set to vote on releasing a report about U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress after being picked as Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Gaetz has been under investigation by the bipartisan ethics panel for allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use and accepted improper gifts. If a lawmaker is under investigation by the committee and resigns, is expelled, or leaves Congress, the committee immediately ceases any ongoing investigation.

Neera Tanden’s X Posts Violated Ban on Political Fundraising, Government Watchdog Alleges

MSN – Adam Cancryn (Politico) | Published: 11/7/2024

A government ethics watchdog agency formally accused White House domestic policy chief Neera Tanden of repeatedly violating the Hatch Act by soliciting political contributions on social media in the months before the election. It appears to be the first time a White House official has faced such a complaint after Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger warned in May that he would eliminate the custom of sending such accusations to the president to deal with at his discretion.

Some Ethics Experts Raise Concerns Over Musk and Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency Roles

MSN – Soon Rin Kim (ABC News) | Published: 11/13/2024

Donald Trump’s announcement that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a newly formed advisory Department of Government Efficiency has alarmed some government ethics experts, who say the pair’s deep financial interests could lead to potential conflicts-of-interest. Some ethics experts are particularly alarmed that Musk and Ramaswamy’s roles have been described as “outside of government,” an arrangement that could potentially mean they would not be subject to normal financial disclosure rules.

The Onion Wins Auction to Take Control of Alex Jones’s Infowars

MSN – Kim Bellware (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2024

The satirical news site The Onion won a bankruptcy auction to acquire the media company of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The bid was sanctioned by the families of the victims of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, who in 2022 won a $1.4 billion defamation lawsuit against Jones and his company for claiming the massacre was a hoax. The takeover of comes with a multi-year agreement with the nonprofit group Everytown for Gun Safety, which will serve as the exclusive advertiser during the Onion-led relaunch of Infowars.

Trump Could Pick Government’s Top Ethics Official – After Key Ally Blocked Biden’s Choice

MSN – Fredreka Schouten (CNN) | Published: 11/8/2024

Donald Trump could be in a position to select the government’s top ethics czar when he assumes office in January after a key ally in the Senate blocked President Biden’s pick to head the Office of Government Ethics. Sen. Mike Lee objected to the confirmation of David Huitema to the post, a little more than a year after he was first nominated by Biden. Lee said the vote should be delayed until after the presidential election, citing what he called the “political weaponization of the US government against Donald Trump by the Biden-Harris administration.”

Trump, Allies Signal They Will Try to Call the Shots for Republican-Led Senate

MSN – Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 11/10/2024

Donald Trump and his allies signaled they will try to call the shots in the Republican-led Senate, pushing the candidacy of Sen. Rick Scott for GOP leader and demanding that Republicans allow Trump to make appointments to his administration and the courts without Senate approval. Next year, Republicans are on track to have at least 53 senators, a comfortable majority to approve nominations, but Trump seemed to indicate that was not sufficient for his choices for federal jobs and judicial vacancies.

Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Giveaways Were Fixed Lotteries, Lawsuits Say

MSN – Kyle Melnick (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2024

When Robert Alvarez heard that Elon Musk was giving away $1 million in a lottery each day to a swing-state voter, he signed a petition from Musk’s super PAC in hopes of winning. But in a lawsuit filed against Musk and America PAC, Alvarez said he never had a chance of winning. America PAC, which Musk created to campaign for Trump, did not select winners by chance, but instead by vetting candidates’ social media presence for pro-GOP values, Alvarez’s lawsuit said.

Minority-Owned Firms Face ‘Crisis’ as Affirmative Action Programs Fall

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 11/11/2024

Minority- and women-owned businesses are bracing for the end of affirmative action in federal contracting, and the potential loss of contracts worth at least $70 billion a year, as government programs for “disadvantaged” firms have fallen to legal attack over the past year. A series of court rulings have held some of the federal government’s largest diversity programs violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. As a result, key agencies have dropped race and gender preferences born in the Civil Rights era and intended to level the playing field by setting aside billions each year in contracting dollars for minority- and women-owned firms.

Republicans Win House, Delivering Trump a Trifecta

MSN – Emily Brooks (The Hill) | Published: 11/12/2024

Republicans are projected to keep control of the U.S. House, handing the party total control of Washington with Donald Trump back in the White House in January. Decision Desk HQ projected the GOP would hold the House by winning its 218th seat, the number needed for a majority in the chamber. The final breakdown is uncertain, with ballots still being counted for several races in California. Those exact numbers will matter a lot for Speaker Mike Johnson’s political future, for which policies Republicans can enact, and how the lower chamber will function – or not function.

How ‘Urgent’ Texts Pushed These Donors to Give Thousands of Times to Political Candidates

MSN – Gabrielle LaMarr LeMee (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/12/2024

There is a new kind of political donor: one who gives in fairly small amounts, sometimes as little as a dollar, over and over. More than 13,500 Americans are frequent donors who have made one or more contributions per day, on average, in this cycle. Campaigns do not stop sending fundraising messages to donors, even after they have hit contribution limits. Joint fundraising committees allow for complex ways of shifting money between participating committees to increase the amount that a donor can give after hitting the limit on any individual committee.

Elon Musk’s PAC Spent an Estimated $200 Million to Help Elect Trump, AP Source Says

MSN – Dan Merica (Associated Press) | Published: 11/11/2024

Elon Musk’s super PAC spent around $200 million to help elect Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the group’s spending, funding an effort that set a new standard for how billionaires can influence elections. America PAC’s work was aided by an FEC ruling that paved the way for super PACs to coordinate their canvassing efforts with campaigns, allowing the Trump campaign to rely on the near-unlimited money of the nation’s most high-profile billionaire to boost turnout.

Four States Reject Ranked-Choice Voting, Approved in District

MSN – Tim Craig (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2024

Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon rebuffed efforts to adopt ranked choice voting in their future elections, dealing a setback to those who wanted to dramatically change how Americans choose their elected officials. The one bright spot for advocates of ranked-choice voting was the District of Columbia, where a referendum was approved by a wide margin. The practice is already in use in Alaska and Maine. But Alaska voters, who initially approved ranked choice voting in a 2020 referendum, are considering a referendum to undo the change.

Special Counsel Jack Smith Plans to Quit; Cannon Appeal May Continue

MSN – Perry Stein and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith plans to resign and wrap up his federal prosecutions of Donald Trump before the president-elect takes office and can fire him. Trump’s election victory prompted Smith to start winding down the prosecutions instead of continuing court proceedings until Inauguration Day. Ending the two federal cases could allow Smith to deliver a final report detailing his findings before Trump becomes the 47th president. Smith appears to still be considering how to handle an ongoing appeal in Trump’s classified documents case.

Legal Questions Surround Trump’s Talk of Political Prosecutions

Roll Call – Ryan Tarinelli | Published: 11/8/2024

Donald Trump expressed support for criminal charges to be filed against his political opponents on the campaign trail, but former Justice Department officials and legal experts say there are various guardrails set up to prevent retribution through the criminal process. But former Trump administration officials have warned publicly that people who once aimed to stop Trump’s worst impulses will not be there to rein him in during a second term. Trump will also be immune from federal prosecution for official acts after a Supreme Court decision earlier this year.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Judge Recuses from Arizona Case Over His Email Denouncing Attacks on Harris

MSN – Annabelle Timsit and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2024

The judge overseeing the criminal election-interference case in Arizona against some of Donald Trump’s supporters recused himself from the case. Maricopa County Judge Bruce Cohen had emailed colleagues urging them to speak out against conservative attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris’s gender and racial identity. An attorney for one of the defendants said the emails showed the judge “bears a deep-seated personal political bias” against Trump and the defendants.

California – Criminal Prosecutor Tapped to Lead San Diego Ethics Panel, as Voters Hand It More Power

MSN – Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 11/8/2024

A committee of the San Diego Ethics Commission selected an outsider to take over the regulatory office after current Executive Director Sharon Spivak steps away early next year. The full commission will now Consider appointing longtime prosecutor Bryn Kirvin to run the department charged with enforcing city campaign finance laws and lobbying rules. Voters approved Measure D, which strengthens the agency’s authority in several important ways, including awarding the commission authority to name its executive director.

California – In a Historic Shift, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Will Nearly Double in Size

MSN – Rebecca Ellis (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/11/2024

Voters approved a proposal to add four more members to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as part of a massive overhaul of the county government’s structure. Measure G’s passage marks a dramatic reshaping of a government that has not fundamentally changed for over a century, as the county’s population exploded from 500,000 to roughly 10 million. The ballot measure also calls for the creation of an independent ethics commission by 2026.

California – Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Concedes Recall Defeat, Ending Tenure Marked by City’s Struggles

San Jose Mercury News – Shomik Mukherjee | Published: 11/9/2024

Oakland voters have recalled Mayor Sheng Thao. It was a resounding victory for a fierce recall campaign bankrolled almost entirely by a single hedge-fund manager, Philip Dreyfuss, who spent over $1.9 million in Alameda County politics this year. City Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas will serve as the interim mayor until a special election can be held. Thao’s professional future seems uncertain amid a sprawling FBI investigation into Oakland that in June led federal agents to raid her home and several other addresses.

California – Newsom Fined $13,000 for Failing to Report on Time Payments Made at His Request

Yahoo News – Sandra McDonald (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/8/2024

Gov. Gavin Newsome agreed to a $13,000 fine from the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for not meeting deadlines to report charitable contributions made at his request. State law requires elected officials to report donations made on their behalf within 30 days. The FPPC said on 18 occasions, Newsom and his 2018 campaign committee failed to make those reports on time, often submitting them several months late.

Delaware – Delaware’s Campaign Finance Law Sees Small Changes with a Potential Overhaul on the Horizon

Delaware First Media – Sarah Petrowich | Published: 11/10/2024

Delaware Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 291 into law, requiring the Department of Elections to provide a phone number and online form for reporting alleged campaign financing violations in the state, among other provisions. State Attorney General Kathy Jennings has indicated she is already working on additional reform recommendations to propose to the Legislature in the new year.

District of Columbia – Trayon White Sr., Facing Bribery Charge, Is Reelected to D.C. Council

MSN – Michael Brice-Saddler and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 11/5/2024

District of Columbia Council member Trayon White Sr. sailed to a third term even as he faces a federal bribery charge. For White, who lacked serious opposition, the outcome is illustrative of the enduring support of his base. While some voters expressed reservations about voting for White, a vast majority made it clear that they still have his back.

Florida – Lobbying Firm Promotes Katie Wiles as Her Mother Becomes Trump’s Chief of Staff

MSN – David Bauerlein (Jacksonville Florida Times-Union) | Published: 11/8/2024

A day after Donald Trump named Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Continental Strategy promoted Wiles’ daughter Katie to be the director of its lobbying and consulting offices in Jacksonville and the District of Columbia. The announcement said Wiles will continue to provide communications work for Continental Strategy’s federal and state operations while adding lobbying and business development to her role in the firm’s offices.

Florida – Suspended Miami-Dade Commissioner Martinez Convicted of Taking $15K to Help Constituent

MSN – Charles Rabin (Miami Herald) | Published: 11/7/2024

Joe Martinez, whose 17-year law enforcement career led to five terms in elected office as a county commissioner, was convicted of accepting $15,000 in payments in exchange for helping with legislation that would have benefited a constituent. Prosecutors argued Martinez accepted three $5,000 payments in 2016 and 2017 from Extra Supermarket owner Jorge Negrin in exchange for pushing legislation that would have permitted much needed large-refrigerated containers on the property.

Georgia – Supreme Court Squashes Mark Meadows’ Push to Move Georgia Election Charges

Yahoo News – Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen (USA Today) | Published: 11/12/2024

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows lost his bid to move his Georgia election interference case to federal court, where it might have been easier to avoid prosecution. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower court’s rejection of Meadows’ attempt. Meadows, who was charged with Donald Trump and 17 others in what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to reverse Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in Georgia, argued the crimes he is accused of committing involved actions that were part of his federal job at the White House.

Indiana – Police: Shoulders spent thousands in campaign dollars on baseball cards, IU season tickets

Yahoo News – Jon Webb (Evansville Courier & Press) | Published: 11/7/2024

Former Vanderburgh County Commissioner Ben Shoulders used tens of thousands of dollars in campaign money to buy baseball cards and basketball season tickets, among other purchases, and then tried to report the expenditures as fraudulent in an effort to recoup some of the money, Evansville police say. Shoulders spent more than $41,000 on eBay purchases using a debit card assigned to his “Shoulders for Commissioner” account. He would then list the buys on his campaign finance forms as something else.

Kentucky – Grand Jury Declines to Indict Beshear Backer in Investigation of Straw Donations

Yahoo News – Tom Loftus (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 11/8/2024

A Franklin County grand jury declined to indict prominent Louisville attorney Sam Aguiar in an investigation into whether Aguiar made excessive campaign contributions in the names of straw donors to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s 2019 campaign. Special prosecutor Rob Sanders said Aguiar admitted to doing so but did not know his behavior was a crime. Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland recommended the matter be referred to the Kentucky election registry for a civil investigation.

Louisiana – Federal Judge Blocks Louisiana Law That Requires Classrooms to Display Ten Commandments

MSN – Sara Cline and Kevin McGill (Associated Press) | Published: 11/12/2024

A Louisiana requirement that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public classrooms is “unconstitutional on its face,” a federal judge ruled, ordering state education officials not to take steps to enforce it and to notify all local school boards in the state of his decision. U.S. District Court Judge John deGravelles said the law had an “overtly religious” purpose, and rejected state officials’ claims the government can mandate the posting of the Ten Commandments because they hold historical significance to the foundation of U.S. law.

Louisiana – Judge Agrees to Temporarily Halt Louisiana Ethics Administrator Hiring, Attorney Says

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/11/2024

A judge issued a temporary restraining order that blocks the Louisiana Board of Ethics from picking a new administrator. The judge granted the stay at the request of Sens. Regina Barrow and Stewart Cathey. They are suing to halt the board from filling that position over the agency in 2025. Landry and lawmakers have had a fraught relationship with the ethics board in recent years.

Maryland – Former Prince George’s County Councilmember Sentenced 1 Year in Prison for Embezzlement

MSN – Randi Ayala, Samantha Gilstrap, and Matt Pusatory (WUSA) | Published: 11/13/2024

Former Prince George’s County Councilperson Jamel Franklin was sentenced to one year in prison after pleaded guilty to felony theft and perjury. Franklin admitted to stealing $124,450.10 from his campaign committee and using those funds to pay for, among other things, his credit card debt, personal rent, and personal subscriptions. He also admitted to concealing his use of campaign funds and falsifying information on reports he signed under the penalties of perjury and submitted to the State Board of Elections.

Michigan – Baum, Altoon Get Vastly Different Sentences in Taylor Public Corruption Case

MSN – Tresa Baldas (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/7/2024

The last two defendants in a public corruption scheme in Taylor, Michigan, involving bribes, a crooked mayor, and perverted housing deals were sentenced recently. Taylor’s former Community Development Manager Jeffrey Baum was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in helping two businesspeople secure contracts in exchange for bribes of all sorts. Real estate developer Haidir Altoon was sentenced to one day in prison followed by two years of supervised release for his role in a scheme that involved him paying bribes to Baum and former Taylor Mayor Richard Sollars.

New Jersey – Murphy Signs Law Allowing Office Holders, Candidates to Use Campaign Funds for Child Care

Bergen Record – Ashley Balcerzak | Published: 11/8/2024

Public officials and candidates running for office in New Jersey will soon be able to use campaign funds to pay for certain childcare expenses, after Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law. Under the law, a candidate or officeholder can use money raised by donors to pay for childcare the person would not have needed if they weren’t running for office or in public life.

New York – Emboldened by Re-election, Trump Renews Bid to Overturn His Conviction

DNyuz – Ben Protess, Kate Christobek, and Jonah Bromwich (New York Times) | Published: 11/12/2024

Donald Trump’s lawyers moved in recent days to throw out his criminal conviction in New York in the wake of his electoral victory, hoping to clear his record of 34 felonies before returning to the White House. The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which prosecuted Trump, then asked to pause decisions in the case so it could weigh how to respond. The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, granted the pause, effectively freezing any progress until November 19.

New York – NYC Mayor Adams’ Girlfriend Tracey Collins Retires from DOE Amid Department of Investigation Inquiry Into ‘No-Show’ Job Claim

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt and Cayla Bamberger (New York Daily News) | Published: 11/8/2024

Tracey Collins, Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime girlfriend retired from her high-ranking position in the New York City public school system. The departure comes as the system’s internal watchdog and the Department of Investigation are probing claims that her position amounted to a “no show” job with a six-figure salary. A former Department of Education employee alleged Collins has rarely shown up in person to work and keeps a light schedule mostly made up of virtual appointments.

New York – Eric Adams Reaped Public Dollar from a So-Called Small-Donor ‘Barbecue.’ Video Shows a Lavish Long Island Soiree Instead.

The City – George Joseph (The Guardian), Alyssa Katz, Yoav Gonen, and Katie Hogan | Published: 11/13/2024

A 2021 fundraiser on Long Island for then-mayoral nominee Eric Adams booked 231 donations, many of them from supermarket cashiers, delivery people, and other low wage workers at the New World Mall in Queens, each listed as having made contributions of $249 or $250. The campaign sought $362,000 in matching funds from New York City on the basis of the $55,000 it raised, entirely in small donations. But a video reveals an event, hosted by New World Mall president Lian Wu Shao and his family at their Long Island mansion, that does not appear to have been a grassroots fundraiser.

Ohio – Ex-FirstEnergy Lobbyist Pleads Fifth in Regulatory Investigation, Citing Self-Incrimination Risk

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealwr) | Published: 11/13/2024

A former FirstEnergy lobbyist who worked closely on the company’s scandal ridden lobbying and self-professed bribery campaign in Ohio invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination roughly 100 times during a recent deposition. Joel Bailey, lobbyist who reported to FirstEnergy’s now-indicted government affairs head Mike Dowling, was questioned under oath in a long-stalled state regulatory investigation into the bribery scheme.

Oregon – City Council Candidate Allegedly Offered Patrons Free Bar Entry in Exchange for Campaign Contributions

Willamette Week – Sophie Peel | Published: 11/13/2024

On a Saturday night at Fortune, a popular Portland bar, a city council candidate Ben Hufford allegedly gave bargoers waiting in line a proposal: donate $10 to his campaign, and they would not have to pay the $20 cover charge. Others recall he said they could not enter the bar unless they donated to his campaign. Hufford is a co-owner of Fortune. Campaign finance records show Hufford received 170 campaign donations that night. Nearly all were $10, or multiples of $10.

South Dakota – South Dakota Breaks Record for Number of Women Elected to the State Legislature

MSN – Makenzie Huber (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 11/8/2024

A record number of women will serve in the South Dakota Legislature in 2025. Thirty-nine female lawmakers plan to arrive in Pierre when the legislative session starts in January, besting the previous record from the 2023-2024 Legislature by eight. The growth in female representation in South Dakota is part of a trend nationally, though most Legislatures do not have gender parity. In 2023, women represented at least half of the lawmakers in two states, Nevada and Colorado.

Texas – Audit: Former Austin city manager paid two consultants $554K in 2023, violating city ethics rules

KUT – Andrew Weber and Luz Moreno-Lozano | Published: 11/8/2024

Former interim City Manager Jesús Garza violated Austin’s ethics rules when he hired two former City Hall staffers to serve as consultants after the 2023 winter storm, a report commissioned by the city auditor found. The report said Laura Huffman and Joe Canales were paid $200 and $190 an hour respectively over their 10 months at City Hall. Garza skirted rules requiring a vote from the city council on contracts over $76,000 a year. The audit found both were effectively full-time assistant city managers.

Campaign Finance

National: “Elon Musk’s $1M Voter Giveaways Were Fixed Lotteries, Lawsuits Say” by Kyle Melnick (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Criminal Prosecutor Tapped to Lead San Diego Ethics Panel, as Voters Hand It More Power” by Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union-Tribune) for MSN

California: “Newsom Fined $13,000 for Failing to Report on Time Payments Made at His Request” by Sandra McDonald (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

Louisiana: “Judge Agrees to Temporarily Halt Louisiana Ethics Administrator Hiring, Attorney Says” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

New York: “NYC Mayor Adams’ Girlfriend Tracey Collins Retires from DOE Amid Department of Investigation Inquiry Into ‘No-Show’ Job Claim” by Chris Sommerfeldt and Cayla Bamberger (New York Daily News) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Trump, Allies Signal They Will Try to Call the Shots for Republican-Led Senate” by Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Florida: “Lobbying Firm Promotes Katie Wiles as Her Mother Becomes Trump’s Chief of Staff” by David Bauerlein (Jacksonville Florida Times-Union) for MSN

Procurement

National: “Minority-Owned Firms Face ‘Crisis’ as Affirmative Action Programs Fall” by Julian Mark (Washington Post) for MSN

National/Federal

Trump’s Victory Is a Major Win for Elon Musk and Big-Money Politics

DNyuz – Theodore Schleifer and Susanne Craig (New York Times) | Published: 11/6/2024

At an election-night gathering, Elon Musk sat two seats away from Donald Trump, ready to claim wide credit for his decisive presidential win. His victory lap was the culmination of an effort that began only six months ago and depended on a risky gamble: Musk’s new super PAC effectively led Trump’s get-out-the-vote operation in battleground states and Trump entrusted a crucial campaign function to a political neophyte. There is little doubt the election was a win not only for Musk but also big-money politics: an ultrawealthy donor took advantage of America’s evolving campaign finance system to put his thumb on the scale like never before.

Control of House Hangs in Balance, with Enormous Implications for Trump’s Agenda

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 11/6/2024

The U.S. House majority hangs in the balance, teetering between Republican control that would usher in a new era of unified GOP governance in Washington or a flip to Democrats as a last line of resistance to a Donald Trump second-term agenda. A few individual seats, or even a single one, will determine the outcome. Final tallies will take a while, likely pushing the decision into next week, or beyond.

Court Ruling Threatens to Curb Billions in Political ‘Dark Money’

MSN – Richard Rubin and Maggie Severns (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 10/30/2024

A federal appeals court said nonprofit groups cannot qualify for tax exemption under Section 501(c)(4) of the tax code if they have a substantial nonexempt purpose. That is a much stricter standard than the one in IRS regulations, which say groups only need a primary purpose that qualifies for the exemption. The decision from a conservative court sets a tighter legal standard for tax-exempt status that the advocates for political donor transparency have long sought.

What’s in Your TikTok Feed? As Elections Near, It May Depend on Gender.

MSN – Jeremy Merrill, Cristano Lima-Strong, and Caitlin Gilbert (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2024

A significant gender gap has emerged in this year’s presidential campaign, with women voters breaking for Kamala Harris and men for Donald Trump. For participants in a unique Washington Post experiment, that gap has also shown up in their TikTok feeds. The findings shed light on how TikTok is shaping the way American adults, especially younger ones, get their news, and what they see about politics.

Nearly a Decade After Pleading Guilty, ‘Fat Leonard’ Is Sentenced in Massive Navy Bribery Scandal

MSN – Alex Riggins (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 11/5/2024

The Malaysian contractor known as “Fat Leonard,” who bribed dozens of high-ranking U.S. Navy officers in the Navy’s worst-ever corruption scandal, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Leonard Francis, who was arrested in September 2013 during a sting operation that lured him to San Diego, pleaded guilty in 2015 to charges of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Francis also pleaded guilty to a charge related to his flight from custody and failure to appear for his previously set sentencing in 2022.

Donald Trump Wins Presidential Election, Defeating Harris to Retake White House

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2024

Donald Trump was elected the nation’s 47th president, returning to the White House after a criminal conviction and two impeachments by riding a wave of voter dissatisfaction. To Trump and his supporters, retaking power after failing to overturn his 2020 election loss, inspiring a deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, and withstanding two impeachments, four criminal indictments, a conviction, and two assassination attempts represents a major vindication for their cause.

Republicans Take Back Senate Control

MSN – Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 11/5/2024

Republicans regained control of the Senate after winning two crucial races, boosted by Donald Trump’s presidential win. GOP control will boost Trump’s ability to enact his agenda, as well as to staff his administration. Many crucial Cabinet and judicial appointments require Senate confirmation.

States Projected to Approve Measures Restricting Noncitizens from Voting

MSN – Patrick Marley, Praveena Somasundaram, and Nick Miroff (Washington Post) | Published: 11/5/2024

Voters in several states were on track to adopt provisions by wide margins that further restrict voting by noncitizens, who are already ineligible to cast ballots in state and federal elections. Republicans pressed for the measures in eight states as Donald Trump and his supporters contended without evidence that noncitizens vote in significant numbers. They said their efforts would help ward off noncitizen voting in state and federal elections and prevent local officials from allowing noncitizens to participate in municipal or school elections. Nineteen communities around the country allow noncitizens to vote in such elections.

Trump’s Win Is a Huge Legal Victory, too. His Trials Will Mostly Vanish.

MSN – Shayna Jacobs, Perry Stein, Holly Bailey, and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2024

Donald Trump’s election victory ensures his lawyers will seek to delay his upcoming sentencing hearing in Manhattan, where he was convicted of falsifying business records to conceal from voters from voters a hush money payment. Such a request would trigger a discussion about how the judge should proceed with the historic case – the first trial of a former president, who now is now president-elect. Trump vowed as a candidate to “fire” special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two federal cases against him. Prosecutors in Georgia will struggle to go forward with trying him for attempting to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.

Jan. 6 Riot Defendants Celebrate Trump’s Election, Angle for Pardons

MSN – Spencer Hsu, Tom Jackman, and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2024

Some defendants charged in the Capitol attack reacted to Donald Trump’s election victory with elation, as their defense lawyers began taking steps to delay trials or sentences in ongoing cases in anticipation of presidential pardons or more lenient treatment from a reshaped Justice Department. Trump has made pardoning January 6 defendants a signature campaign promise. He has not made clear who among the group of 1,500-plus people charged would receive pardons, though he has declined to rule out anyone, including members of extremist groups whose leaders were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

Republicans Make Major Gains in Control of State Governments

Yahoo News – Kevin Hardy (Stateline) | Published: 11/7/2024

Republicans won the White House on November 5 and strengthened their hold on state governments across the country. Before the election, the GOP controlled 57 state legislative chambers, while Democrats controlled 41 (Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature is nonpartisan). Republicans defended or expanded their control in several state capitols and won the only closely contested gubernatorial race with the election of former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte as New Hampshire’s next governor.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Campaign Finance Laws Make Funding of Election Challenges Murky

Arizona Capitol Times – Kiera Riley | Published: 11/1/2024

Funds fueling state candidate election challenges remain shrouded by Arizona’s campaign finance code, while congressional candidates’ funding is made fairly transparent by the FEC. A gap in reporting requirements between state and federal campaign finance laws has not drawn much ire from either side of the aisle beyond some raised eyebrows on who is financing litigation from last cycle and is still active well into 2024.

California – Real Estate Consultant Chiang Avoids Prison in Huizar’s LA City Hall Pay-to-Play Scheme

Daily Breeze – City News Service | Published: 11/5/2024

A real estate development consultant was sentenced to home detention and community service, but no prison time, for his role in the pay-to-play scheme at City Hall tied to now-imprisoned ex-City Councilperson Jose Huizar’s approval of large building projects in Los Angeles. George Chiang was also ordered to pay the maximum fine of $250,000. Because of his cooperation in the investigation, Chiang received a far lighter penalty than the 20 years in prison the charge carried, court papers show.

California – Measure OO: Effort to beef up Oakland’s public ethics commission leads comfortably

Local News Matters – Kiley Russell (Bay City News Service) | Published: 11/6/2024

Oakland’s Measure OO, designed to strengthen and update the city’s Public Ethics Commission (PEC), was ahead with about 72 percent of the vote based on early returns. The ballot measure would change the qualifications for the PEC, tighten rules governing lobbyist gifts to elected officials, add one more investigator to the commission’s staff, and authorize the PEC executive director to hire outside lawyers on issues where the city attorney has a conflict-of-interest, among other things.

California – Mark Farrell Hit with One of the Largest Ethics Fines on Eve of S.F. Mayoral Election

MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/4/2024

Mayoral candidate Mark Farrell is set to pay $108,000, the largest settlement in San Francisco Ethics Commission history, for campaign finance law violations. The agreement stems from Farrell launching a committee to support a ballot measure that has shared payroll and other expenses with his mayoral campaign. Unlike his mayoral campaign, Farrell’s ballot measure committee could accept donations beyond the $500 per person limit. An investigation found the committee repeatedly overpaid his mayoral campaign for their shared expenses.

California – Former 49ers Lobbyist’s Testimony Implicates Santa Clara Councilman in Grand Jury Leak

MSN – Lance Williams (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/6/2024

The San Francisco 49ers’ former top lobbyist testified Anthony Becker, the 2022 candidate for mayor of Santa Clara the team supported, leaked to him a confidential grand jury report that was sharply critical of the 49ers’ heavy involvement in local politics. Rahul Chandhok’s testimony implicated Becker on both a misdemeanor charge of mishandling an official document and perjury, for lying under oath in an ensuing investigation into how the leak occurred.

California – Former Huizar Associate Sentenced to Six Months Home Detention

The Eastsider LA – City News Service | Published: 11/4/2024

A longtime lobbyist and former City Hall official was sentenced to six months’ home detention for conspiring with now-imprisoned ex-Councilperson José Huizar in a bribery scheme. Morrie Goldman was also ordered to pay a $60,000 fine. Goldman pleaded guilty to a felony count of conspiring to commit bribery and honest services mail fraud in the government’s investigation of corruption at City Hall.

Colorado – Xcel Energy Ordered to Remove Investor Relations and Executive Salaries from Costs Passed on to Colorado Consumers

Colorado Sun – Mark Jaffe | Published: 11/5/2024

Colorado utility regulators, using the mandates in a 2023 law. are looking to carve lobbying fees, trade association dues, and investor relations costs from Xcel Energy rate requests. In a current gas rate case, more than $775,000 in such costs were disallowed. The figure in the future could be a lot higher based on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission decision in October ordering Xcel Energy to remove all investor relations costs, including a portion of executive salaries, from its calculations of costs passed on to customers.

Connecticut – CT’s Election Watchdog Agency Is Investigating 214 Cases, One Going Back 10 Years. What’s Taking So Long?

Stamford Advocate – Jacqueline Rabe Thomas and Ken Dixon | Published: 11/2/2024

Ten years have passed since Thomas Banisch filed a complaint with the state watchdog agency responsible for investigating and enforcing Connecticut’s election laws. The complaint alleging Ted Kennedy Jr. illegally raised $130,000 in his run for state Senate has yet to be resolved by the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission. The database used to track the progress and status of election complaints shows dozens of others have been open for over a year. Nearly half the investigations the agency has closed over the last decade took at least a year to complete.

Delaware – Sarah McBride Wins Delaware Congressional Seat, Becomes First Transgender Rep in US History

MSN – Xerxes Wilson (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 11/5/2024

State Sen. Sarah McBride will be Delaware’s next representative in Congress, becoming the first transgender person elected to federal office in the history of the United States. She said her victory also sends a policy message, emphasizing her goals in Congress, that housing and healthcare be available to all, protecting reproductive freedom, and guaranteeing paid leave. McBride gained national attention when she became the first openly trans person to speak at the Democratic National Convention in 2016.

District of Columbia – Contractor at Center of Bribery Scandal Dropped from Sports Gambling Deal

MSN – Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2024

The District of Columbia halted more work with one of the contractors at the center of a federal investigation into Council member Trayon White Sr. District Services Management was dropped from a sports gambling subcontract, one of many government awards the company had received before its founder pleaded guilty to bribing a city official.

Florida – A Lobbyist Was Cited by the Ethics Commission; Now He’s Suing and Wants to Clear His Name

MSN – Mike Diamond (Palm Beach Post) | Published: 11/1/2024

Lobbyist Ron Book was cited for failing to cash checks from Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter for a ride on his private jet to Tallahassee to attend the inauguration of Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023. Book’s lawyer argues a new state law should be applied retroactively, a move that would prevent the county’s Ethics Commission from pursuing the complaint. The new law adds time limits to the length of ethics investigations, requires sworn affidavits to launch complaints, and bans second-hand knowledge from being used in investigations.

Florida – In Miami-Dade, Christian Ulvert Helps Candidates win Elections and Developers Win Deals

Yahoo News – Douglas Hanks (Miami Herald) | Published: 11/1/2024

Christian Ulvert became prominent in local political circles for his work running campaigns for Democratic candidates in Miami-Dade County. Though not a registered lobbyist, he also works as a communications consultant for private-sector clients, advising developers and others seeking favorable decisions from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and favorable votes from the county commission, where Ulvert has three campaign clients. The two sides of Ulvert’s business give him an enviable advantage as a paid consultant.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Will Hear Louisiana Map Case That Could Impact Black Voters

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a complex dispute over how Louisiana draws congressional maps that could affect the power of Black voters in the state and the balance of power in Congress. The case will not impact the 2024 election since it will not be decided for months, but legal experts said it could have significant ramifications for how states consider race in drawing congressional districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act and therefore could impact future elections.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Tells State Racing Commission Director He Can Still Own Racehorses – for Now

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/5/2024

The Board of Ethics told the state’s new racing commission executive director that his racehorses can continue to compete in Louisiana, at least until he needs a new license in 2026. Stephen Landry became the Louisiana Racing Commission’s top staff member in March after Gov. Jeff Landry appointed new members to the board. Stephen Landry, who is not related to the governor, owns a third of two racehorses and half of another.

Louisiana – Private Calls and Campaign Cash: Louisiana regulators’ ties to the utilities they oversee

Yahoo News – Pam Radtke, Mario Alejandro Ariza, and Miranda Green (Floodlight) | Published: 11/3/2024

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) is one of the few in the nation where there are no restrictions on when, where, and how often commissioners can communicate with the utilities they regulate. Residents and small businesses have almost no sway over the PSC, compared to utilities and big industrial power customers, said Logan Atkinson Burke, executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy. Over the last decade, nearly 43 percent, or about $3.5 million, of $250 and over campaign contributions to Louisiana commissioners came from utilities, energy-related businesses, and their attorneys and lobbyists.

Louisiana – Louisiana Lawmaker Asks AG to Investigate Ethics Board Over Alleged Open Meetings Violation

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/6/2024

State Rep. Beau Beaullieu is asking the attorney general to investigate the Louisiana Board of Ethics for violations of government transparency laws. He alleges the ethics board is using an illegitimate and secretive process to hire a new state ethics administrator, the board’s most important employee. Republican legislative leaders had asked the board in October to hold off on picking a new administrator until January, when most of the board will be stacked with new appointees from Gov. Jeff Landry and the Legislature.

Maine – ‘A Recusal Issue Inside a Recusal Issue’: An ethics inquiry puts the Maine Supreme Court in uncharted territory

Maine Monitor – James Keefe | Published: 11/3/2024

State Supreme Judicial Court Justice Catherine Connors is facing disciplinary proceedings, a first for a sitting Maine high court justice, because she did not recuse herself from two foreclosure appeals before the court. While Connors could be the first Maine justice to be disciplined, two different committees of legal experts disagreed on whether her recusal was necessary.

Maine – Mainers Vote to Reform Campaign Finance, Open Path for Supreme Court to Weigh In

Maine Morning Star – Emma Davis | Published: 11/6/2024

Maine voters passed Question 1, which would limit individuals and other entities to contributing $5,000 per year to PACs that make independent expenditures for or against candidates. These donations are currently unlimited under state law. Question 1 is likely to face legal challenges. Representatives of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections worry it is a long shot at best and, at worst, could open an opportunity for the U.S. Supreme Court to instead loosen campaign finance restrictions.

Massachusetts – MassLandlords Sues Boston, Says City Withheld Public Records to Protect Mayor Wu, Hide Unlawful Rent Control Lobbying

MSN – Gayla Cawley (Boston Herald) | Published: 11/4/2024

A trade association for Massachusetts landlords is in a legal battle with Boston over public records it says the city withheld to hide unlawful lobbying from housing advocates that influenced the mayor’s stalled rent control plan. Douglas Quattrochi, executive director of MassLandlords, alleges in an affidavit that the city failed to produce 10 documents he believes to exist around the formation of the city’s Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee.

Mississippi – Jackson Bribery Scandal: Mayor Lumumba indicted, calls it ‘political prosecution’

MSN – Charlie Drape (Jackson Clarion Ledger) | Published: 11/6/2024

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba was indicted by a federal grand jury in a bribery scandal. City Councilperson Angelique Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in August, after accepting bribes from two undercover FBI agents posed as Nashville real estate developers. Court documents show Lumumba directed a city employee to move up a deadline for the city’s hotel project near the Jackson Convention Complex. Lumumba agreed to move the deadline after accepting $10,000 for his “reelection committee,” which was given to him as a check to hide the real source of the funding – the Nashville “developers.”

Nevada – Nevada Politicians Can Spend Donor Cash Outside the Campaign

Las Vegas Review-Journal – Eli Segall | Published: 11/4/2024

When Joe Lombardo gave $5,000 from his campaign account to a PAC, the future Nevada governor thought he was helping pay for the statue of a fallen Las Vegas police officer. The money was instead used by former Las Vegas Councilperson Michele Fiore to pay her rent. Fiore was recently convicted of wire fraud for diverting contributions to personal use, though donations like Lombardo’s, which came into focus during Fiore’s trial, are legal in Nevada.

New Hampshire – A New Campaign Finance Law Is Allowing Record-Breaking Spending in NH Governor’s Race

Yahoo News – Ethan DeWitt (New Hampshire Bulletin) | Published: 11/1/2024

In her quest for the New Hampshire governor’s office, Kelly Ayotte is breaking financial records. As of October 30, the former U.S. senator has raised $21 million into her personal campaign fund since running for the office and spent nearly $19 million of it. Seventy percent comes from a single PAC and none of those transactions can be traced to individual donors. The strategy is the direct result of a 2023 law that removes limits on donations to candidates from PACs. And after recent validation from the attorney general’s office, the Ayotte campaign’s application of the law could become common practice in future elections.

New Mexico – Federal Judge Halts ‘De Facto’ Ban on Use of Campaign Funds; State Senator Ortiz y Pino Donated $200 for Student Workshop

Yahoo News – Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 11/1/2024

New Mexico Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino tapped his campaign account in 2021 to make a $200 donation for a high school student’s summer workshop. The expenditure was subsequently deemed illegal under the state’s Campaign Reporting Act, but a federal judge decided the ban on charitable donations to individuals was itself problematic. District Court Judge Margaret Strickland halted, at least for now, any enforcement of the provision by the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.

New York – NYC Mayor Eric Adams Gets April 2025 Trial Date as His Lawyers Fight to Get Bribery Charge Tossed

MSN – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 11/2/2024

New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption trial will begin April 21, 2025, a judge ruled, right in the thick of his promised reelection campaign. Adams’ lawyers are fighting to throw out a bribery charge, one of five counts against the first-term mayor. They argued the charge does not meet the U.S. Supreme Court’s recently narrowed threshold for the crime and should not apply to Adams because it involves allegations dating to before he became mayor.

New York – Eric Adams Aide Overrode Internal Scoring System to Award Contract to Major Donor

Yahoo News – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 10/30/2024

A close friend of New York City Mayor Eric Adams disregarded an official scoring system for a bidding process he oversaw through his role controlling municipal real estate deals. Instead that friend, Jesse Hamilton, overruled the process altogether and steered a lucrative contract away from the initial winner and to a major mayoral donor. Hamilton’s role in the deal was the subject of a city council hearing as lawmakers grilled his boss about that and other suspected corruption at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

Ohio – Issue 1 Fails Big in Ohio Despite Massive Money Advantage

MSN – Jessie Balmert and Laura Bischoff (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 11/6/2024

Ohio voters rejected Issue 1, choosing to stick with the status quo instead of setting up a new citizen commission to draw congressional and state legislative districts. Ohio will continue to use its current redistricting method led by state lawmakers and a commission of seven elected officials. Ohio will keep its current state legislative maps through 2030 but the congressional map, approved without Democratic support, will be redrawn next year for the 2026 election.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Judge Denies Attempt to Stop Musk’s $1 Million Voter Giveaways

MSN – Trisha Thadani and Annabelle Timsit (Washington Post) | Published: 11/5/2024

Elon Musk’s pro-Donald Trump political group can continue for now with its $1 million a day giveaway to voters, after a state judge in Philadelphia denied an attempt by the city’s district attorney to block it. Judge Angelo Foglietta declined to issue an injunction against America PAC. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed the suit against Musk and his super PAC, alleging the daily $1 million giveaways violated state laws regulating lotteries and protecting consumers.

Rhode Island – Facing Questions, McKee Pays Lobbyist for Legal Help with ILO Probe

MSN – Eli Sherman (WPRI) | Published: 11/4/2024

Gov. Dan McKee’s has now paid a powerful statehouse lobbyist he hired earlier this year to help him navigate an ethics investigation amid questions about a potential conflict-of-interest. Gubernatorial spokesperson Laura Hart said the governor paid Dome Consultants lobbyist William Murphy an undisclosed amount of money. McKee hired the influential lobbyist as private counsel to advise him on how to handle a request from the attorney general’s office for an interview as a criminal probe into the state contract was coming to close.

Texas – U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar Secures Another Term as Criminal Trial Looms

Yahoo News – Matthew Choi (Texas Tribune) | Published: 11/6/2024

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secured an 11th term representing his South Texas congressional district despite a federal indictment accusing him of a litany of corruption allegations. He and his family are synonymous with political power in Laredo, whose airport has a terminal that bears his name. Cuellar faces a criminal trial after the Justice Department indicted him on a series of charges alleging bribery, money laundering, and working on behalf of the Azerbaijani government and a Mexican bank.

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Campaign Finance Laws Make Funding of Election Challenges Murky” by Kiera Riley for Arizona Capitol Times

Louisiana: “Private Calls and Campaign Cash: Louisiana regulators’ ties to the utilities they oversee” by Pam Radtke, Mario Alejandro Ariza, and Miranda Green (Floodlight) for Yahoo News

Elections

National: “Donald Trump Wins Presidential Election, Defeating Harris to Retake White House” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Former Huizar Associate Sentenced to Six Months Home Detention” by City News Service for The Eastsider LA

National: “Nearly a Decade After Pleading Guilty, ‘Fat Leonard’ Is Sentenced in Massive Navy Bribery Scandal” by Alex Riggins (San Diego Union-Tribune) for MSN

Maine: “‘A Recusal Issue Inside a Recusal Issue’: An ethics inquiry puts the Maine Supreme Court in uncharted territory” by James Keefe for Maine Monitor

Lobbying

Colorado: “Xcel Energy Ordered to Remove Investor Relations and Executive Salaries from Costs Passed on to Colorado Consumers” by Mark Jaffe for Colorado Sun

Procurement

Washington DC: “Contractor at Center of Bribery Scandal Dropped from Sports Gambling Deal” by Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “CT’s Election Watchdog Agency Is Investigating 214 Cases, One Going Back 10 Years. What’s Taking So Long?” by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas and Ken Dixon for Stamford Advocate

National: “Court Ruling Threatens to Curb Billions in Political ‘Dark Money'” by Richard Rubin and Maggie Severns (Wall Street Journal) for MSN

New Hampshire: “A New Campaign Finance Law Is Allowing Record-Breaking Spending in NH Governor’s Race” by Ethan DeWitt (New Hampshire Bulletin) for Yahoo News

Elections

Pennsylvania: “Supreme Court Allows Pennsylvania Voters to Fix Faulty Absentee Ballots” by Justin Jouvenal and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Florida: “A Lobbyist Was Cited by the Ethics Commission; Now He’s Suing and Wants to Clear His Name” by Mike Diamond (Palm Beach Post) for MSN

Florida: “In Miami-Dade, Christian Ulvert Helps Candidates win Elections and Developers Win Deals” by Douglas Hanks (Miami Herald) for Yahoo News

Rhode Island: “McKee Hasn’t Paid Powerful Lobbyist for Legal Help with ILO Investigation” by Eli Sherman for MSN

Procurement

New York: “Eric Adams Aide Overrode Internal Scoring System to Award Contract to Major Donor” by Joe Anuta (Politico) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

An Ethical Minefield Awaits a Possible Second Trump Presidency

DNyuz – Ben Protess, Maggie Haberman, and Eric Lipton (New York Times) | Published: 10/29/2024

Days before Donald Trump became president in 2017, he promised to rein in his company’s freewheeling ways, assuring the American people his family business would not “take advantage of” his presidency. Nearly eight years later, he is making no such promises. The former and possibly future president is cashing in on a variety of new ventures as he seeks a second term, without offering to reinstate the guardrails from his first, according to financial filings and interviews with people familiar with his finances.

In Election’s Final Days, Dark Money and ‘Gray Money’ Fund Hidden Agendas

DNyuz – Theodore Schleifer and Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 10/30/2024

Across the country, supporters of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are taking advantage of a patchwork of lax laws that allow partisans to funnel millions of dollars through daisy chains of opaque entities into hard-hitting campaign tactics, all to try to sway the tiny slice of swing-state voters who could make the difference. Campaign operatives and donors have long deployed creative accounting to mask the flow of money into politics. But since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, it has become particularly difficult to follow the big-money flow in the weeks before Election Day.

Ethics Office Clears Federal Official for His Project 2025 Involvement

Government Executive – Eric Katz | Published: 10/25/2024

The federal government’s ethics czar said a top official at the Federal Communications Commission did not violate any laws or agreements when he helped write a chapter of Project 2025, the controversial document spearheaded by former Trump administration officials to outline agenda items for the Republican presidential nominee. More than a dozen House Democrats requested a probe into whether Carr violated ethics laws, noting the ties between Project 2025 and Trump and its stated goal of shaping policy decisions by presidential candidates.

The New Dark Money: How influencers get paid big bucks to court your vote

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 10/26/2024

Political campaigns and their surrogates are pouring millions of dollars into social media influencers with scant regulatory oversight or public transparency, as they embrace a marketing tactic that has revolutionized the U.S. economy. Online influencers earning thousands of dollars for a single TikTok or Instagram post on behalf of groups backing Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. Political groups that use other forms of advertising are required to disclose their affiliations, but freelance online creators are under no such obligation for political posts, even though federal regulations demand they say so when promoting a commercial product.

Elon Musk’s Pro-Trump PAC Awards More $1 Million Prizes Despite DOJ Warning

MSN – Perry Stein, Trisha Thadani, and Amy Wang (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2024

Elon Musk’s pro-Donald Trump political group awarded two additional $1 million prizes to swing-state voters despite warnings from the Justice Department the daily giveaways could violate election laws. The day before, the Justice Department sent a letter to America PAC, warning its contest offering registered voters in swing states a chance to win $1 million for signing a petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms could be illegal.

GOP Focus on Rare Noncitizen Voting May Continue Long After Election Day

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/26/2024

Eight states, including the swing state of North Carolina, are taking up ballot measures also that would toughen bans on noncitizen voting, part of a broad and concerted Republican effort to stoke fears that hordes of noncitizens will illegally vote for Kamala Harris and deprive Donald Trump of a return to the White House. While that could inspire more Trump supporters to show up to the polls, voting rights activists warn the emphasis on removing noncitizens from the voter rolls could scare away recently naturalized citizens or eligible voters who have family members who are in the country illegally.

Spanish-Language Election Misinformation Has a Mass Audience – and a Long Shelf Life

MSN – Sarah Ellison and Adriana Usero (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2024

Latinos are the largest minority group in the U.S. and the fastest-growing segment of the American electorate. They stand to play a crucial role in the coming election for president and control of Congress, particularly in key states such as Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Latinos face misinformation from political actors at home and abroad. Specific storylines can resonate differently depending on a person’s cultural background. Certain social media habits place Latinos who consume at least some of their news in Spanish, regardless of national origin, in an especially difficult position when confronting efforts to mislead.

At Trump’s Request, Judge Delays Immunity Filing in Jan. 6 Prosecution

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 10/28/2024

A federal judge granted the request from Donald Trump’s lawyers to push back the deadline for filing their view of whether the former president is immune from prosecution in the2020 election subversion case until two weeks after the presidential election. Trump’s attorneys asked to have until November 21, instead of November 7, to file a brief arguing why Trump’s efforts to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory should be immune from criminal prosecution, citing disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton to the work of several of Trump’s Florida-based attorneys.

Congress Tried to Fix Presidential Transitions. Trump Is Testing the Changes.

MSN – Lisa Rein and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2024

After Donald Trump refused to concede the 2020 election, Congress moved to fend off a repeat of the 20 days of chaos that had obstructed the executive branch handover to Joe Biden. But the first test of one little-known change to the presidential transition process is now causing anxiety among government officials as Trump is potentially poised to return to power. If there is no apparent winner within five days of the election, every federal agency will be required on November 11 to open its doors to both Trump’s and Kamala Harris’s campaigns so they can simultaneously begin the sprint to install a new administration.

Election Day Poses Test for Justice Dept. Monitors in GOP-Led States

MSN – David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2024

The Justice Department’s ability to monitor local jurisdictions for voting rights irregularities on Election Day, already curtailed by the Supreme Court, is facing a new hurdle: opposition from Republicans who are seeking to block federal authorities from polling sites. While the Justice Department has the legal right to request access to polling sites, inflamed partisanship and ideological extremism has contributed to greater resistance to such activities in some GOP-controlled states, legal experts said. Those states have attempted to politicize the process and cast federal monitors as partisans from the Biden administration who cannot be trusted.

For Jeff Bezos and His Businesses, Washington Has Become More Important

MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker, Aaron Davis, Josh Dawsey, and Christian Davenport (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2024

Jeff Bezos’s interests in Washington have expanded, with the federal government now contracting billions of dollars to Amazon’s cloud-computing subsidiary and Blue Origin, which is competing with SpaceX, the company founded by Donald Trump ally Elon Musk. Bezos has faced backlash since The Washington Post announced its editorial board would not endorse a candidate in this presidential election or in future ones. Commentators and a deluge of readers who canceled their subscriptions said they saw Bezos as upending a decades-old tradition to protect business interests that could be vulnerable in a second Trump administration.

Fires Set in Drop Boxes Destroy Hundreds of Ballots in Washington and Damage 3 in Oregon

Yahoo News – Gene Johnson and Claire Rush (Associated Press) | Published: 10/28/2024

Incendiary devices were set off at two ballot drop boxes, one in Portland and another in nearby Vancouver, Washington, destroying hundreds of ballots in what one official called a “direct attack on democracy” about a week before Election Day. The fire at the drop box in Portland was extinguished quickly and just three ballots were damaged there. The ballot box in Vancouver had a fire suppression system inside, but that failed to prevent hundreds of ballots from burning, said Greg Kimsey, the auditor in Clark County, Washington.

They Were Lobbying on Legislation Before His Committee. They Were Also Employing His Son.

Yahoo News – Benjamin Guggenheim (Politico) | Published: 10/24/2024

Rep. Richard Neal became chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee in January 2019. A year later, his son Brendan Neal launched a one-person public affairs firm. Then the payments started from Richard E. Neal for Congress Committee to Brendan Neal Strategies for “strategic consulting services,” which now total more than $196,000. Brendan Neal’s cash haul from working for his father’s campaign while representing others with interests before the committee heightens concerns for liberal tax policy advocates and led some to publicly voice their concerns about Richard Neal.

AIPAC Has Paid for Hundreds of Lawmakers to Visit Israel – to Grow Support for Its Far-Right Government

Yahoo News – Aidan Hughes, Cait Kelley, and Daryl Perry (Politico) | Published: 10/30/2024

The nonprofit arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has hosted hundreds of trips to Israel for U.S. lawmakers. AIPAC is one of the most influential lobbyist organizations on K Street and promotes the Israeli government’s agenda. Now, as lawmakers face pressure from both sides on U.S. aid to Israel.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Campaign Finance Watchdog Recommends $85K in Fines Against Opponents of Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting System

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 10/24/2024

The Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) found backers of a ballot initiative to alter the state’s voting system repeatedly violated campaign finance law by funneling their money through a church and inaccurately reporting their income and spending. The commission fined the backers more than $94,000 in January. APOC staff said the groups and individuals failed to pay the full fines levied against them and have not fulfilled the campaign reporting requirements spelled out by the commission.

Arizona – Arizona’s Ballot Is So Long It Could Create Election Day Problems

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Blair Guild (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2024

The ballot in Arizona this year is long. Very long. In Maricopa County, home to a majority of voters, there are full lists of the presidential electors from four parties, judges seeking to retain their seats, and 13 statewide ballot questions on abortion, taxes, illegal immigration, and a host of other issues. Election officials across the state worry this unusually long ballot could lead to a host of problems on and after Election Day in the key state that could determine the outcome of the presidential election.

California – California Mental Health Agency Director to Resign Following Conflict of Interest Allegations

California Healthline – Molly Castle Work (KFF Health News) | Published: 10/25/2024

California’s mental health commission announced its executive director would resign amid revelations he traveled to the United Kingdom courtesy of a state vendor while he sought to prevent a budget cut that would have defunded the company’s contract. Documents show Toby Ewing tried to protect state funding for Kooth, a London-based digital mental health company with a contract to develop a virtual tool to help California tackle its youth mental health crisis.

California – State Watchdog Agency Is Investigating Donations to Kevin de León’s Reelection Campaign

Los Angeles Times – Dakota Smith | Published: 10/26/2024

The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating donations received by Los Angeles City Councilperson Kevin de León’s reelection campaign. The investigation was prompted by allegations involving a nonprofit that distributes food to homebound seniors and low-income families in De León’s district through a contract with the city. The complaint alleged contributions to De León’s campaign from employees of the nonprofit, as well as its founder’s wife and daughter, may have violated a law that aims to prevent “pay to play practices.”

California – L.A. County Wants to Crack Down on Corruption. Is It Worth Up to $21 Million?

MSN – Rebecca Ellis (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/28/2024

The city and county of Los Angeles each moved forward this election season with ballot measures to try to crack down on unethical behavior by public officials. The city wants to bolster its nearly 35-year-old ethics commission with Charter Amendment ER, which would give the watchdog body a minimum yearly budget of $7 million. The county wants to create its first ethics commission with Measure G, which could cost as much as $21.9 million a year, with salaries and employee benefits making up most of the price. The cost estimates have left supporters and detractors with sticker shock.

California – Some California Legislators Miss Hundreds of Votes, but Even ‘Excused’ Absences Count as a ‘No’

MSN – Sameea Kamal (CalMatters) | Published: 10/21/2024

Seven California Assembly members missed more than a quarter of their votes this year, most involving illness or family matters. When it comes to voting on bills, however, the Legislature does not distinguish between a lawmaker who is absent, excused or not, and a legislator who is present but does not vote. They all count the same as a legislator who casts a “no” vote, but they are categorized as “No Vote Recorded” or NVR.

California – No ‘Pattern of Corruption’ in Contracts Inked During Ridley-Thomas’ Tenure, Probe Finds

MSN – Rebecca Ellis (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/30/2024

The bulk of contracts Los Angeles County signed during the 12-year tenure of former Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted last year on corruption charges, were untainted by fraud, according to an outside investigation. But the report said the county’s contracting process, closely scrutinized during the nearly three-year forensic audit, is full of holes.

California – What Does Another Corruption Scandal Mean for Orange County?

Voice of OC – Spencer Custodio | Published: 10/24/2024

Former county Supervisor Andrew Do will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in a scheme that enriched his family anywhere from $550,000 to $730,000. The scandal comes a little more than two years after a federal corruption probe rocked Anaheim City Hall, one that saw former Mayor Harry Sidhu plead guilty to obstruction of justice for lying to federal investigators about trying to ram through the Angel Stadium sale for $1 million in campaign support.

Florida – Red Lights, Green Cash: How a Florida legislator boosted school bus cameras and benefited her family

MSN – Nandhini Srinivasan (The Tributary) | Published: 10/27/2024

Personal connections, aggressive lobbying, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions fueled the rapid rise of an obscure school bus camera vendor, BusPatrol, which quickly became a major player in a niche industry that did not exist in Florida until last year. BusPatrol’s fortunes echoes the comeback of Florida Rep. Vicki Lopez, with whom BusPatrol is inextricably linked. Last year, Lopez co-sponsored a bill allowing cameras on school buses statewide. Within months, her family had cashed in on the new industry through a web of connections built with BusPatrol, which stands to make millions of dollars from traffic tickets.

Florida – Long-Delayed Public Corruption Trial of Suspended Miami-Dade Commissioner Set to Begin

MSN – Charles Rabin (Miami Herald) | Published: 10/24/2024

After repeated delays since last Thanksgiving, the public corruption trial of one of Miami-Dade County’s longest-serving public servants began. Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez was suspended from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis in September 2022. Martinez is alleged to have collected $15,000 from a shopkeeper in his district in exchange for sponsoring a law that would have benefited the owner of the shopping plaza. The charges could land Martinez in prison for as many as 20 years.

Illinois – Hazy World of Springfield Politics at Center of Ex-Speaker Madigan’s Trial

MSN – Ray Long, Jason Meisner, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/27/2024

In the rapidly unfolding federal corruption trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, Illinoisans are getting a close-up view of how the longtime-Democratic chieftain lorded over the insider world of Springfield politics. Madigan and his lobbyist ally Michael McClain may be the center of the case. But in many ways, so is the opaque manner in which Springfield does business.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Plans to Pick New Administrator Before Landry Appointees Sworn In

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 10/29/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics plans to hire its new ethics administrator in December, just before Gov. Jeff Landry’s overhaul of the board membership takes place in January. The current administrator, Kathleen Allen, is leaving her job at the end of the year. Earlier this year, Landry pushed through a new law to give himself, as governor, more control over the board.

Mississippi – Court Rules Ballots That Arrive Late Shouldn’t Be Counted Despite Postmarks

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2024

A federal appeals court ruled invalid a Mississippi law that allows election officials to count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by then. The ruling came less than two weeks before the presidential election and could have implications for other states with similar laws. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit did not rule on how the state should handle ballots for this election, saying that matter should be addressed later by a trial court judge.

Mississippi – How an FBI Corruption Probe in Tallahassee Is Similar to the Jackson, MS Bribery Scandal

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Jackson Clarion-Ledger) | Published: 10/29/2024

In 2015, two undercover FBI agents posed as crooked developers and infiltrated Tallahassee City Hall by offering bribes to elected officials in exchange for their support in favor of the developers for coveted real estate projects. That undercover FBI investigation into the city government in Tallahassee, Florida, offers striking similarities to Jackson’s ongoing bribery scandal. Both concern alleged bribes from “developers” to elected officials. Like Jackson, Tallahassee is a state capital.

New York – Harlem Woman Charged by Bragg in Adams Campaign Straw Donor Scheme Pleads Guilty

Gothamist – Samantha Max | Published: 10/29/2024

A woman accused of recruiting elderly residents of her housing complex to give illegal donations to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Millicent Redick is not expected to face any jail time, as long as she follows the court’s conditions, the plea agreement states. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Redick and five other people with allegedly conspiring to collect donations from people who would later be reimbursed, also known as straw donations.

New York – Former New York Budget Chief Robert Mujica’s Consulting Sparks Revolving Door Questions

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 10/29/2024

Former state budget director Robert Mujica’s consulting work for a powerful hospital lobbying group this year raised questions about his adherence to a law seeking to limit the “revolving door” between public servants and outside interests. New financial disclosures show Mujica began consulting for the Greater New York Hospital Association two months ahead of its multimillion-dollar lobbying campaign to pressure Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase Medicaid spending, and before the group held multiple lobbying meetings with Mujica’s former agency, the Division of the Budget.

New York – A New York Medical Group Fills Politicians’ Coffers. This House Republican Is Helping to Promote Them.

Yahoo News – Emily Ngo (Politico) | Published: 10/28/2024

U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, who is facing a tough reelection fight, starred recently in a promotional video for a cancer treatment practice around the same time he took in a generous batch of campaign donations from its doctors. LaLota praised the “upbeat spirit” at the New York Cancer & Blood Specialists in a spot posted within days of affiliated physicians and a related PAC contributing $18,000 to his reelection bid. They also gave $130,000 to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Grow the Majority committee, half of which then went to LaLota.

Ohio – Ex-Columbus Zoo Exec, Dubbed ‘Most Egregious’ Offender in $2.3 Million Theft, Sentenced

MSN – Dean Narciso (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 10/28/2024

The last of five former employees of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was sentenced to five years in prison, ending a four-year investigation into a nearly $2.3 million theft scheme. A judge also ordered restitution of $639,297 and a $10,000 fine from Peter Fingerhut, the zoo’s former marketing director. Fingerhut was considered one of the masterminds of a decade-long theft spree. He set up VIP ticket contracts for himself and his family at sports and entertainment venues intended for zoo promotional use, among other schemes.

Ohio – Cincinnati Paid $11.5K for Signs Crediting Biden-Harris for Road Projects. Critics Say They’re Political

WCPO – Paula Christian | Published: 10/29/2024

Cincinnati officials spent $11,500 on five signs that critics say are political and were initially proposed to come down the day after Election Day. The signs credit President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with upcoming road projects that received funding from a bipartisan infrastructure law. They were originally supposed to credit only Biden. But before the signs were installed, city officials decided to add Harris’s name after she became the Democratic presidential candidate.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court: Attorney general can’t reject proposed constitutional amendments based on title

Yahoo News – Susan Tebben (Ohio Capital Journal) | Published: 10/30/2024

The Ohio Supreme Court spelled out the authority the state attorney general has when it comes to approving or rejecting constitutional amendment initiatives in a new ruling. The court ruled unanimously that Attorney General Dave Yost should not have rejected the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights proposal based on the title of the initiative.

Pennsylvania – Judge Strikes Down GOP Effort to Change Rules Over Military, Overseas Ballots

MSN – Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2024

A federal judge in Pennsylvania threw out a lawsuit brought by six Republican members of Congress from the state that sought stricter scrutiny of ballots from overseas, including from members of the military stationed abroad. The lawmakers claimed that because local election officials in Pennsylvania are not required to verify the identity or eligibility of voters who register overseas, those ballots are vulnerable to fraud.

Rhode Island – Investigation Finds Insufficient Evidence to Prosecute McKee for Influencing Award of ILO Contract

Yahoo News – Alexander Castro (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 10/29/2024

State Attorney General Peter Neronha rebuked Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee over a state contract awarded to ILO Group but found there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges in the matter. ILO was one of the top two bidders seeking a federally funded contract to help schools meet COVID-19 safety protocols. The attorney general’s investigation centered around state bribery law, which requires prosecutors to show a quid pro quo occurred and benefited a state official in a personal or political capacity.

Tennessee – State Campaign Finance Agency Demands Transparency from Nashville’s Pro-Transit Campaign

Yahoo News – Evan Mealins (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 10/30/2024

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance sent a letter to Nashville Moves Action Fund ordering them to register as a referendum committee by Election Day and submit financial disclosure reports as soon as possible. Nashville residents will decide on November 5 whether to establish a dedicated source of funding for transit improvements. The pro-transit campaign registered with the state under the Green Lights for Nashville PAC. Green Lights for Nashville filings show all of its cash donations came from one place: Nashville Moves Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. These sorts of nonprofits usually do not have to identify their donors.

Virginia – Supreme Court Allows Virginia Effort to Strike Possible Noncitizen Voters

MSN – Ann Marimow and Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2024

A divided U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Virginia officials to remove about 1,600 voters from the state’s registration rolls less than one week before the presidential election. Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked the justices to intervene after two lower courts blocked his efforts to cancel the registrations of voters who could be noncitizens, an issue that Republican officials have seized on nationally to energize supporters even though noncitizen voting is extremely rare.

Virginia – Lack of Investigation by Local, State Officials into Richmond Campaign’s Finance Reporting Raises Concern

WTVR – Tyler Lane | Published: 10/24/2024

The campaign for a Richmond City Council candidate has reported thousands of dollars in donations from people who said they have never contributed any money, but no government official or agency said they were investigating the situation. The responses from local and state officials are raising questions about the role of finances in politics and the mechanisms for accountability, and some advocates and experts believe Virginia’s campaign reporting laws are not strong enough.

Washington – Campaign Watchdog Won’t Reconsider Penalty Against Let’s Go Washington

Yahoo News – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 10/25/2024

Let’s Go Washington will not get another shot at convincing the state Public Disclosure Commission it did not violate campaign finance laws. Commissioners said they would not reconsider their October 9 ruling that the political committee failed to obtain and disclose information on payments to subvendors used by firms it hired to gather signatures for a slate of initiatives, including the four on the November ballot.

Campaign Finance

National: “In Election’s Final Days, Dark Money and ‘Gray Money’ Fund Hidden Agendas” by Theodore Schleifer and Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for DNyuz

Elections

National: “Fires Set in Drop Boxes Destroy Hundreds of Ballots in Washington and Damage 3 in Oregon” by Gene Johnson and Claire Rush (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Pennsylvania: “Judge Strikes Down GOP Effort to Change Rules Over Military, Overseas Ballots” by Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) for MSN

Virginia: “Supreme Court Allows Virginia Effort to Strike Possible Noncitizen Voters” by Ann Marimow and Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “For Jeff Bezos and His Businesses, Washington Has Become More Important” by Isaac Stanley-Becker, Aaron Davis, Josh Dawsey, and Christian Davenport (Washington Post) for MSN

Louisiana: “Louisiana Ethics Board Plans to Pick New Administrator Before Landry Appointees Sworn In” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

Rhode Island: “Investigation Finds Insufficient Evidence to Prosecute McKee for Influencing Award of ILO Contract” by Alexander Castro (Rhode Island Current) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

National: “AIPAC Has Paid for Hundreds of Lawmakers to Visit Israel – to Grow Support for Its Far-Right Government” by Aidan Hughes, Cait Kelley, and Daryl Perry (Politico) for Yahoo News

Procurement

California: “No ‘Pattern of Corruption’ in Contracts Inked During Ridley-Thomas’ Tenure, Probe Finds” by Rebecca Ellis (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

National/Federal

Trump Leans on Creative Bookkeeping to Keep Up in Cash Race

DNyuz – Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 10/15/2024

Donald Trump’s political operation has been taking extraordinary measures in a bid to stay financially competitive with Vice President Kamala Harris, deploying aggressive and creative accounting strategies that test the legal limits of how far a candidate can go to offload the core costs of running for president. The most startling example is the official payroll of the former president’s campaign committee. Trump has only 11 people on the official payroll of his campaign committee. The reason is he is shuffling costs from his campaign committee to other accounts allied or shared with the Republican Party.

‘I Will Stand My Ground’: Election officials are prepared for attempts to ‘find’ votes

MSN – Erin Mansfield and Sarah Wire (USA Today) | Published: 10/14/2024

When Donald Trump lost Georgia by just under 12,000 votes in 2020, he went to the two people with the most power over the state’s elections, the governor and the secretary of state, and asked for help overturning the results. Both resisted the effort. Trump in September claimed without evidence that Democrats are “cheating,” laying the groundwork to challenge the results again if he loses. But Trump would be unlikely to find state officials willing to try to block their state’s electoral votes from going to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Ethics Committee Subpoenas Documents from Lawsuit Brought by Gaetz’s Friend: Sources

MSN – Will Steakin (ABC News) | Published: 10/15/2024

As part of its ongoing investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, the House Committee on Ethics issued a subpoena for documents from a civil lawsuit brought by one of Gaetz’s longtime friends against several third parties. The subpoena requests all documents related to Gaetz that are part of a lawsuit by Florida lobbyist Chris Dorworth, who alleged he was defamed by several third parties over the course of the yearslong sex trafficking probe into Gaetz. The documents from the lawsuit could provide Congress with new details regarding allegations that have dogged Gaetz for years, including the allegation he had sex with a minor.

The Senate GOP Found a Campaign Finance Loophole. It’s About to Save Them Millions of Dollars.

MSN – Ally Mutnick, Jessica Piper, and Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 10/10/2024

Republicans have been employing a new election strategy: running campaign ads for a candidate, framed as a fundraising plea, to get cheaper ad rates and avoid content restrictions. Democrats, furious at what they saw as the crossing of ethical and legal lines, asked the FEC to weigh in. The FEC deadlocked on whether these joint fundraising ads should be permitted, effectively allowing the practice to continue. It could have implications beyond this election cycle as campaigns and their joint fundraising committees get more creative. Those were among the concerns of campaign finance advocates ahead of the FEC’s decision.

Eight Years Ago, Trump Vowed to ‘Drain the Swamp.’ Now He Swims in It.

MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 10/11/2024

Eight years after Donald Trump entered politics promising to reduce the influence of Washington lobbyists – to “drain the swamp,” as he put it – advocates for corporate interests, including companies based in China and other foreign countries denounced by Trump, now sit at virtually every level of his campaign. Lobbyists are represented among high-level staff, informal advisers, and party faithful who planned the summer convention in Milwaukee, as people with access to Trump or insight into his at-times erratic decision-making turn that knowledge into moneymaking opportunities.

This Could Have Been a Year of a Federal Court Reckoning for Trump. Judges Had Other Ideas

Yahoo News – Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer (Associated Press) | Published: 10/14/2024

A year that began with the prospect of a federal court reckoning for Donald Trump will end without any chance of a trial, leaving voters without the finality of a jury verdict in the two most consequential cases against the presidential nominee. Yet both cases still loom over the election, their potential resurgence in the coming months making clear that at stake on November 5 is not only the presidency but also possibly Trump’s liberty.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – How a Man Imprisoned in New York Could Sway a Key House Race in Alaska

DNyuz – Corey Kilgannon (New York Times) | Published: 10/15/2024

In the race for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House, the leading candidates are defined by credentials specific to the state. Then there is Inmate 00932-005, campaigning from the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution in New York, some 4,000 miles from Alaska. He is Eric Hafner, running in a state he has never set foot in and cannot visit soon. Hafner is serving 20 years for threatening public officials in New Jersey, where he grew up. Now in his dubious quest to become one himself, he has emerged as an unlikely factor in the fight for control of Congress.

Arizona – Arizona Counties Won’t Be Forced to Do Citizenship Checks Before the Election, a Judge Rules

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 10/15/2024

A judge rejected a request to require Arizona’s 15 counties to verify the citizenship of some 42,000 voters registered only to vote in federal elections in the presidential battleground state, concluding those who sought the checks made their request too close to the November 5 election and did not have legal standing. Arizona requires voters to prove their citizenship to participate in local and state races. Voters who do not provide proof of citizenship yet still swear they are U.S. citizens are allowed to vote only for president, the U.S. House, or Senate.

California – Did Waymo Violate Ethics Rules in Lobbying SFO for Airport Access? The Teamsters Say So

MSN – Chase DiFeliciantonio (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/10/2024

The Teamsters union filed an ethics complaint against autonomous driving company Waymo, alleging some of the company’s employees failed to register as lobbyists while pushing San Francisco International Airport executives to allow their cars to map its property. The complaint claims multiple contacts in May between senior Waymo product, policy, and government affairs staff and top airport officials crossed the legal line for when the Waymo workers should have registered as lobbyists but did not.

California – ‘Notoriously Slow:’ Lengthy investigations into California politicians leave voters in the dark

MSN – Yue Stella Yu and Jeremia Kimelman (Cal Matters) | Published: 10/14/2024

Historically plagued by what some staff called an “enormous” backlog, The California Fair Political Practices Commission has sometimes taken years to resolve cases, exposing violations or exonerating politicians only after they left office or won an election. While the agency has worked to expedite enforcement, advocates, officials, and past and current commissioners say delayed actions can diminish public trust in the state’s ability to prosecute corruption effectively.

District of Columbia – D.C. Violence Intervention Programs Scrutinized Amid Bribery Probe

MSN – Meagan Flynn (Washington Post) | Published: 10/8/2024

District of Columbia Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah told lawmakers the city has completed a review of grants and contracts in the violence-intervention space, a review prompted by bribery allegations against Councilperson Trayon White Sr. and did not find evidence of wrongdoing. The hearing concerned the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONSE) and whether oversight needs to be strengthened. It was sparked by allegations White took bribes to pressure city officials to extend an associate’s violence-intervention contracts at ONSE, sparking broader concerns about the impact on the agency.

District of Columbia – In D.C. Election, Initiative 83 Push for Voting Changes Is Biggest Wild Card

MSN – Meagan Flynn (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2024

With Democrats expected to coast to victory in deep-blue District of Columbia, the biggest wild-card contest this November is instead a citywide ballot measure. Initiative 83 would allow independents to vote in primary elections and bring ranked choice voting to the city. The changes could open up the primary elections to roughly 76,000 registered independents, and significantly impact how votes are counted and potentially how candidates campaign.

Florida – DeSantis-Backed Report Accuses Abortion Amendment Backers of Signature Gathering Fraud

MSN – John Kennedy (USA Today) | Published: 10/14/2024

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s latest attempt to defeat an abortion rights ballot measure, known as Amendment 4, emerged in a report from the office of the state elections chief, alleging a host of violations involving the campaign’s petition signature-gathering. Secretary of State Cord Byrd’s report includes allegations of fraudulent signatures and petition-gatherers being paid illegally per signature. Floridians Protecting Freedom  Floridians Protecting Freedom, the Amendment 4 campaign, was recently fined $328,000 for the alleged violations. The civil fine has not been paid.

Florida – Broward Ethics Rules May Be Relaxed on Accepting Gifts of Food and Drinks

MSN – Lisa Huriash (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) | Published: 10/13/2024

Broward County commissioners will consider relaxing the rules surrounding accepting gifts of food and drinks when they are on the job. The idea is to prohibit “sizable gifts that may invite actual or perceived impropriety,” according to county records. But Broward’s ethics code takes the spirit of the law further, and it prohibits elected officials from accepting any gift with a value that exceeds five dollars from a lobbyist, vendor, or contractor. There is, however, an exception for soft drinks.

Georgia – Right-Wing Site Gateway Pundit Acknowledges Inquiry Cleared Two Georgia Election Workers

MSN – Maegan Vasquez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2024

The Gateway Pundit, a far-right website, published a note from its editor acknowledging that two election workers in Georgia did not engage in ballot fraud in 2020, days after the publication settled a lawsuit brought against it for falsely reporting they had tampered with election results. The site recently settled with Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two former Georgia election workers. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

Georgia – Georgia Judge Rules That Counties Must Certify Election Results

MSN – Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2024

A Georgia judge ruled state law does not give county officials discretion to withhold certification of election results, a defeat for allies of Donald Trump, who sought to empower local leaders to hold up the outcome of the vote. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said certification of election results is a mandatory duty irrespective of any concerns a county election board may have about the accuracy of the count. Such concerns are the domain of prosecutors and state election officials, he ruled, and local boards are expected to relay any evidence of irregularity to their local district attorney.

Illinois – Report: Illinois gets failing grade for its lobbyist disclosure system

MSN – Kevin Bessler (Center Square) | Published: 10/10/2024

A new report says Illinois is one of 27 states that received a failing grade for its lobbyist disclosure system. The organization F Minus gives Illinois a grade of “F” for its lobbyist system, citing several failures. “Lobbyists don’t have to disclose the numbers of the bills they’re working on or the positions they are taking, or the compensation they are receiving from each of their clients,” said Executive Director James Browning.

Kansas – Who Pays for Wichita Officials’ Trips? They Now Must Tell Public, but How Is Unclear

MSN – Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 10/11/2024

Three Wichita City Council members have accepted expensive gifts since creating a carve-out that allows them to exceed the city’s $150 annual gift limit with a majority vote of the council. But in the council’s agenda packets, the gifts are packaged as travel requests alongside trips that are funded by the city, with no stated outside funding sources, no donor names, no estimated value, and no list of what expenses are included in the travel request. There is also no mention that a vote for the travel is a vote to allow council members to exceed the gift limit set in an ethics ordinance they passed in September.

Maryland – Larry Hogan Approved Millions for His Firm’s Listed Clients as Governor

MSN – Eric Cortellessa (Time Magazine) | Published: 10/10/2024

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is president and principal owner of HOGAN, a real estate brokerage firm in Annapolis. When he became governor, Hogan entered into a trust agreement he said would prevent conflicts-of-interest. But it was not a blind trust. He put his brother in charge of the firm and made several executives at the firm trustees. Hogan said the agreement would allow him to remain apprised of his firm’s investments, investors, and other matters including the location of its real estate projects. The State Ethics Commission approved the arrangement. If Hogan hoped the agreement would prevent the appearance of a conflict, it did not.

Michigan – Michigan GOP Candidate’s Ad Aimed at Black Voters Has Wrong Election Date

MSN – María Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2024

Tom Barrett, a Republican vying for a Michigan congressional seat, is facing calls for an investigation after an ad from his campaign incorrectly listed Election Day as November 6 in a Black-owned newspaper. In a complaint filed with the state attorney general, the Legislative Black Caucus accused Barrett’s campaign of misleading Black voters to suppress turnout, something that could violate a state law prohibiting intentionally spreading misinformation about the election process to deter an individual from voting.

Nebraska – Wealthy Governor, Billionaire Family Changed Nebraska Elections

Governing – Sara Gentzler and Alex Richards (Flatwater Free Press) | Published: 10/16/2024

In the years before U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, the eldest so of a billionaire businessperson, ran for governor of Nebraska, his family never spent more than $400,000 in any state campaign cycle. Then, in the decade he was running for and serving as governor, the Ricketts family spent at least $9.8 million on state political campaigns and causes. That spending spiked when Ricketts first ran for the state’s top job, jumping to five percent of all recorded political giving in Nebraska.

New Jersey – ‘He’s Taken on Everybody in New Jersey’ – and Angered the Political Class

Yahoo News – Matt Friedman (Politico) | Published: 10/12/2024

State Comptroller Kevin Walsh has applied the same zeal from his attorney days to hunting down fraud, waste, and abuse inside some 2,000 government entities and angered some of the most powerful people in New Jersey while doing so. Walsh is an especially intriguing figure not only for his aggressive approach but also because New Jersey politics as a whole is changing.

New York – New Adams Administration Inquiry Focuses on City Leases

DNyuz – William Rashbaum, Dana Rubinstein, and Michael Rothfeld (New York Times) | Published: 10/9/2024

As federal prosecutors scrutinize New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his top aides, the Manhattan district attorney’s office opened yet another corruption investigation into City Hall, this one involving the city’s leasing of commercial properties, people with knowledge of the matter said. As part of the inquiry, investigators have seized the phones of at least five people, including Adams’ chief adviser, a top New York City real estate official, and a broker involved in city leases, the people said. The investigation has focused at least in part on possible bribery, money laundering, and other crimes, one of the people said.

New York – NYC Council Tightens Process Around City Vendors as Accusations of Corruption Swirl Around Mayor Adams

Gothamist – Michelle Bocanegra | Published: 10/10/2024

The New York City Council is setting its sights on reforming the city’s process for hiring vendors, as Mayor Eric Adams faces questions around the city’s business dealings along with his own indictment on federal bribery and fraud charges. Council members unanimously passed a package of bills that aims to increase transparency around what city vendors have for years called an opaque procurement process for contracts.

North Carolina – North Carolina Authorities Arrest Armed Man After Threats Against FEMA Workers

MSN – Brianna Sacks and Dan Lamothe (Washington Post) | Published: 10/14/2024

Threats against federal emergency response personnel have hampered relief work in parts of western North Carolina hard hit by Hurricane Helene, prompting disaster workers to relocate because of safety concerns and feeding a cycle of fear and anxiety. Some of the misinformation swirling around federal responders have been amplified by Donald Trump as he seeks to return to the White House. Trump has alleged the federal government was “going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas” and repeatedly claimed the Federal Emergency Management Agency was diverting disaster relief money for migrants.

Ohio – Justice Dept. to Monitor Voting in Ohio County Over Intimidation Concerns

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 10/15/2024

The U.S. Justice Department will monitor voting in Portage County, Ohio, during the November election, after the county sheriff posted on Facebook urging residents to write down the addresses of people displaying yard signs for Vice President Kamala Harris. The announcement follows the county’s elections board decision to bar the sheriff’s office from providing security during early voting. The board acted one week after Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski made the Facebook posts, sparking complaints about voter intimidation.

Ohio – King Joins Long List of East Cleveland Officials Who Have Faced Corruption or Misconduct Allegations

MSN – Lucas Daprile (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/11/2024

Mayor Brandon King became the latest East Cleveland official in a long list of city leaders to face criminal charges or be accused of misconduct. A grand jury indicted King on charges involving his interest in city contracts that prosecutors say earned him more than $75,000 over the span of several years. He is the impoverished city’s third current or former mayor in 20 years to face criminal charges. “Everyone who gets in that seat loses their damn mind,” East Cleveland Council President Twon Billings said of the mayor’s job.

Ohio – House GOP Owes $1.6M for Lease Arranged by Convicted Ex-Speaker Householder, Court Rules

MSN – Jake Zuckerman and Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/14/2024

A Franklin County magistrate pinned a contested, $1.67 million debt stemming from a defaulted office lease on the Ohio House Republicans’ political arm, just weeks before Election Day. The decision imposes significant financial uncertainty unto the Ohio House Republican Alliance, which assists with campaigning for the slate of GOP House candidates. It could end up being a costly addition to the already tarnished legacy of ex-House Speaker Larry Householder, whose political operation arranged the lease in the first place shortly before he was arrested on federal bribery related charges in 2020.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Changes Ryan Walters’ Proposal to Supply 55,000 Bibles to Public Schools

MSN – M. Scott Carter (Oklahoman) | Published: 10/9/2024

A request issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education to purchase thousands of bibles for public schools was significantly changed after questions arose surrounding its legality. The vendor requirements underwent at least two major changes: the delivery date and a provision that now allows the vendor to provide Bibles and other documents such as copies of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights separately. Unbundling the Bible and the set of historical documents appears to expand the number of possible vendors.

Pennsylvania – The (Basically) Secret List of Campaign Donations by No-Bid Contractors

MSN – Angela Couloumbis (Spotlight PA) | Published: 10/11/2024

Every year, government agencies in Pennsylvania award contracts, sometimes worth millions of dollars, without going through the traditional bidding process meant to ensure taxpayers get the best price for the work. The companies that benefit from this arrangement, in turn, are required to report campaign contributions by owners and employees. The requirement is buried deep in Pennsylvania’s Election code and might be one of the best-kept secrets in the Capitol. The annual reports produced by the Pennsylvania Department of State are not easily accessible or well-known by the public.

Texas – Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit over Austin’s Campaign Finance Rule

KUT – Luz Moreno-Lozano | Published: 10/15/2024

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Austin’s campaign finance rule that says a candidate cannot raise more than $47,000 from outside the city limits during an election. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman dismissed the case saying the cap could be unconstitutional, but that is up to the city’s Ethics Review Commission to decide.

Washington – Initiative Backers Hit with $20,000 Fine by WA Campaign Finance Watchdog

Yahoo News – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 10/9/2024

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) handed a $20,000 fine to the conservative organization behind the slate of initiatives appearing on the ballot this November. The PDC concluded Let’s Go Washington violated Washington’s campaign finance laws by not obtaining and disclosing information on payments to sub-vendors used by signature-gathering firms. It also found Let’s Go Washington did not hand over financial records in a timely fashion as it took a July subpoena before it produced 9,000 pages of materials.

Campaign Finance

Nebraska: “Wealthy Governor, Billionaire Family Changed Nebraska Elections” by Sara Gentzler and Alex Richards (Flatwater Free Press) for Governing

Texas: “Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit over Austin’s Campaign Finance Rule” by Luz Moreno-Lozano for KUT

Elections

Arizona: “Arizona Counties Won’t Be Forced to Do Citizenship Checks Before the Election, a Judge Rules” by Associated Press for MSN

National: “‘I Will Stand My Ground’: Election officials are prepared for attempts to ‘find’ votes” by Erin Mansfield and Sarah Wire (USA Today) for MSN

Ohio: “Justice Dept. to Monitor Voting in Ohio County Over Intimidation Concerns” by Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Ethics Committee Subpoenas Documents from Lawsuit Brought by Gaetz’s Friend: Sources” by Will Steakin (ABC News) for MSN

Ohio: “King Joins Long List of East Cleveland Officials Who Have Faced Corruption or Misconduct Allegations” by Lucas Daprile (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Procurement

New York: “NYC Council Tightens Process Around City Vendors as Accusations of Corruption Swirl Around Mayor Adams” by Michelle Bocanegra for Gothamist

Campaign Finance

National: “The Senate GOP Found a Campaign Finance Loophole. It’s About to Save Them Millions of Dollars.” by Ally Mutnick, Jessica Piper, and Madison Fernandez (Politico) for MSN

Washington: “Initiative Backers Hit with $20,000 Fine by WA Campaign Finance Watchdog” by Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Eight Years Ago, Trump Vowed to ‘Drain the Swamp.’ Now He Swims in It.” by Isaac Stanley-Becker and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Kansas: “Who Pays for Wichita Officials’ Trips? They Now Must Tell Public, but How Is Unclear” by Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) for MSN

Maryland: “Larry Hogan Approved Millions for His Firm’s Listed Clients as Governor” by Eric Cortellessa for Time Magazine

New York: “New Adams Administration Inquiry Focuses on City Leases” by William Rashbaum, Dana Rubinstein, and Michael Rothfeld (New York Times) for DNyuz

Lobbying

Illinois: “Report: Illinois gets failing grade for its lobbyist disclosure system” by Kevin Bessler (Center Square) for MSN

Procurement

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Changes Ryan Walters’ Proposal to Supply 55,000 Bibles to Public Schools” by M. Scott Carter (Oklahoman) for MSN

National/Federal

Conservative Activists Are Monitoring, and Filming, Voter Registration Sites

DNyuz – Jack Healy (New York Times) | Published: 10/4/2024

As the ground game intensifies ahead of many state voter-registration deadlines in early October, suspicions of election fraud have turned the normally ho-hum work of registering voters into tense confrontations. Despite the many debunked falsehoods about widespread voting by noncitizens, liberal Latino advocacy groups say they are being trailed by conservative activists with cameras and accused of registering undocumented immigrants. The conservative activists say they are just trying to expose flaws in the voter-registration process.

Democrats Try ‘Trump-Proofing’ Their States Ahead of Election Day

MSN – Reis Thebault (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2024

From the West Coast to the East, blue states are preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump wins in November by attempting to shield their policy priorities from the reach of a future Trump administration. This preemptive strategy – “Trump-proofing” – encompasses a wide range of issues and programs that Democratic leaders fear could be targeted in another Trump presidency, based on his previous actions and his current campaign promises.

FBI Probe of Kavanaugh Constrained by Trump White House, Report Finds

MSN – Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) | Published: 10/8/2024

In September 2018, as allegations of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh threatened his confirmation to the Supreme Court, Donald Trump vowed the FBI would have “free rein” to vet the claims. Trump’s comments came as a surprise to the FBI, according to a new report from U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. FBI officials, directed to conduct a very limited inquiry in a week’s time, requested “additional guidance” from the White House, citing the public remarks by Trump describing a freewheeling investigation. But the White House never authorized the agency to independently probe the allegations, which Kavanaugh staunchly denied.

Lawmakers Spending Even More in 2024 Under Receipt-Free Expense Program

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2024

House lawmakers expensed at least $2.5 million under a program that allows them to be reimbursed for their spending without submitting receipts through the first five months of 2024, over $120,000 more than during the same period last year. The program was intended to help members offset the costs of maintaining two households without requiring them to give themselves a politically toxic raise. Critics have argued that its lack of receipt requirements and reliance on the honor system open it up for abuse.

Trump’s Jan. 6 Role Back in Focus as He Readies New Stolen Election Claims

MSN – Amy Gardner and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 10/3/2024

Donald Trump’s effort to overturn his loss four years ago and his role inciting the violent attack on the Capitol roared onto the 2024 campaign stage even as he continues to suggest he will not accept a defeat if it happens a second time. Special counsel Jack Smith’s recent filing exposed new details about Trump’s lack of concern about the Capitol riot and his push to reverse his loss even as advisers repeatedly told him Joe Biden had legitimately won.

Trump Holds Up Transition Process, Skirting Ethics and Fund-Raising Rules

Seattle Times – Ken Bensinger (New York Times) | Published: 10/9/2024

Donald Trump’s campaign has not yet participated in the government’s official presidential transition process, a break from past practice that could threaten the seamless transfer of power should he win the election. It appears to be guided, at least in part, by Trump’s mistrust of the government he is running to lead. Experts note he may have other incentives. His refusal to sign the documents allows him to circumvent fundraising rules that put limits on private contributions to the transition, along with ethics rules meant to avoid conflicts-of-interest for the incoming administration.

From the States and Municipalities

California – As the Legislature Reaches Towards Gender Parity, the Number of Female Lobbyists Is Also Growing

Capitol Weekly – Brian Joseph | Published: 10/1/2024

There was a time when Sacramento’s female lobbyists were frozen out of meetings, literally not invited to important discussions about their clients’ bills simply because they were women. But female lobbyists say does not happen anymore as gender parity has grown in the lobbying corps alongside that of the Legislature itself and its aides. Female lobbyists attribute the changing culture of the Capitol to a number of factors: Sacramento’s own #MeToo reckoning, and overall society changes when it comes to gender differences and women in the workplace. But one unexpected factor that women lobbyists point to is term limits.

California – S.F. Mayor, City Attorney Broke Law by Deleting Texts, Task Force Says

Mission Local – Joe Rivano Barros | Published: 10/3/2024

The Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, San Francisco’s oversight body responsible for public records and transparency laws, ruled that Mayor London Breed and City Attorney David Chiu both violated city law by deleting text messages dealing with official business. It also referred the mayor’s actions to the San Francisco Ethics Commission for investigation and possible discipline. Public records experts said the practice likely violates California law requiring retaining records for two years.

California – L.A.’s Ex-Deputy Mayor Headed to Prison: ‘Corruption at any level will not be tolerated’

MSN – Brittny Mejia (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/4/2024

A federal judge sentenced former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan to 12 years in prison for his role in a sprawling City Hall corruption case. U.S. District Court Judge John Walter said, “corruption at any level will not be tolerated.” A jury found Chan guilty on a dozen counts – including racketeering conspiracy, bribery, honest services fraud, and giving false statements to investigators – in a case focused on financial benefits provided by real estate developers with projects in former city Councilperson Jose Huizar’s district.

California – Supreme Court Declines to Take Up ‘Dark Money’ Case

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 10/8/2002

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge to San Francisco’s Sunlight on Dark Money disclosure law, which would have tested the limits of disclosure and free speech in campaign finance. San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved the initiative in 2019, compelling election ads to include a disclaimer naming the top three donors to the group running the ad. If the donor is another committee, then the committee’s top two donors and the dollar amounts given by both need to be disclosed.

Colorado – Former Colorado Official Sentenced to Prison in Election Data Scheme

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/3/2024

Tina Peters, a former county election official in Colorado, was sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of charges connected to efforts to copy election data from her office as Donald Trump and his allies spread false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and searched for evidence to prove it. Prosecutors accused Peters of helping to secretly copy Dominion Voting Systems hard drives by sneaking Conan Hayes, a former professional surfer and purported computer expert, into secure areas of her office in 2021 using someone else’s security badge.

Delaware – Why Delaware Received a Failing Grade for Lobbyist Disclosure Transparency

MSN – Amanda Fries (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 10/3/2024

Delaware received a failing grade for its lack of transparency over lobbyist disclosures, which do not require lobbyists to disclose their salaries or the positions they take on legislation on behalf of their clients, according to the climate group F Minus. The group, formed in 2023 to track fossil fuel lobbyists who also represent clients being harmed by the climate crisis, gave Delaware and 27 other states an “F” for their respective lobbyist disclosure systems.

District of Columbia – Informant in Trayon White Case Bribed Another D.C. Official, Records Say

MSN – Meagan Flynn, Jenny Gathright, and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 10/3/2024

Allieu Kamara, the FBI informant at the center of District of Columbia Council member Trayon White Sr.’s bribery case, secretly pleaded guilty earlier this year to paying an employee at the city’s Child and Family Services Agency hundreds of thousands of dollars to help rig the contracting process and steer lucrative work to his businesses. The revelation deepens the reach of public corruption allegations that have already rocked local government as White campaigns for reelection while under indictment and as city officials and lawmakers examine the potential for “pay-to-play” schemes in critical city programs.

Florida – Florida Threatens to Prosecute TV Stations Over Abortion Ad. FCC Head Calls It ‘Dangerous’

MSN – Claire Healy and Ana Ceballos (Miami Herald) | Published: 10/9/2024

Florida’s health department threatened criminal charges for television stations that run a political ad calling for the repeal of the state’s six-week abortion ban. John Wilson, general counsel for the state agency, says claims made in the ad are “categorically false” and it constitutes a “sanitary nuisance” that could put women’s health and lives at risk if it continues to be broadcast. Attorneys representing a political committee sponsoring the abortion ballot measure have issued a defiant legal letter in which they call the effort an “unconstitutional state action.”

Georgia – Fulton Judges Stay Busy Ruling on Lawsuits Spurred by New Georgia State Election Board Rules

Georgia Recorder – Stanley Dunlap | Published: 10/9/2024

A lawsuit filed by the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections seeks to prevent the State Election Board from appointing several election monitors for the November election. Fulton’s election board claims the state board is pressuring it to appoint multiple additional election monitors. The plaintiffs argue the state panel lacks the statutory authority to force the county to hire and pay for extra election monitors. The lawsuit is one of several filed recently contesting the rules changes approved by three right-wing state election officials who support Donald Trump.

Idaho – Idaho Lawmaker Tells Native American Candidate ‘Go Back Where You Came From’ in Forum

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 10/4/2024

Tensions rose during a bipartisan forum after an audience question about discrimination reportedly led Idaho Sen. Dan Foreman to angrily tell a Native American candidate to “go back where you came from.”  Trish Carter-Goodheart, a Democratic candidate for a state House seat and member of the Nez Perce Tribe, said the blowup left her shaken and thinking about security needs for future public events.

Illinois – After Storied Time as the ‘Velvet Hammer,’ Michael Madigan to Face a Jury

Yahoo News – Ray Long, Jason Meisner, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/6/2024

In one of the most anticipated public corruption trials in Illinois history, former House Speaker Michael Madigan faces a 23-count federal racketeering indictment alleging he ran his government and political operations like a criminal enterprise. Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, a longtime confidant, former lawmaker, and retired contract lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison, have pleaded not guilty. A protege of former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, Madigan grew into that rare Illinois politician who both defined and embodied clout.

Indiana – Braun Campaign Releases Attack Ad with Doctored Anti-Gas Stove Photo of McCormick

MSN – Brittany Carloni (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 9/30/2024

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s gubernatorial campaign released a television ad showing an image of Democrat Jennifer McCormick’s supporters holding signs behind her declaring “no gas stoves.” But those signs never existed. Braun’s campaign drew criticism for releasing the ad containing the doctored image, along with audio that said McCormick wants to “ban gas stoves.” Braun’s campaign later pulled the ad and replaced it with one containing a disclaimer saying the image had been doctored, which is now required under a new state law.

Indiana – Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

Yahoo News – Post-Tribune Staff | Published: 10/9/2024

Former Gary Mayor Jerome Prince admitted he used campaign funds to purchase a house as part of a plea agreement. He was familiar with Indiana campaign finance law and its prohibition against using campaign funds for personal use, according to the court filing, having previously established a campaign committee in 2015.

Iowa – Curious Iowa: What does a lobbyist do?

The Gazette – Bailey Cichone | Published: 10/7/2024

For some people, the word “lobbyist” may elicit images of back room deals and corrupt politicians. But talking with lobbyists who work at the Iowa Capitol, a different picture emerges. Barbra Solberg is the public policy strategist who started her career on Capitol Hill. When she moved back to Iowa, the stories of bad actors in Washington, D.C. stuck with her. But when she started working for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, she was surprised at how transparent the system for Iowa lobbyists is. “I realized the lobby in Iowa is a really important cog in the wheel that makes the system work, and in a good way,” Solberg said.

Iowa – Former Iowa Lt. Gov. Gregg’s New Job Leading Iowa Banking Association Won’t Violate State Lobbying Laws, Officials Say

The Gazette – Erin Murphy | Published: 10/6/2024

Former Iowa Lt. Adam Gregg resigned in September to take a position as head of the Iowa Bankers Association, a statewide organization that advocates for Iowa banks to the state and federal governments. It lobbied on 135 pieces of legislation at the state Capitol over two years. Iowa law prohibits former government officials from lobbying on legislation for two years after leaving their government position. But state officials say he can lead the association without running afoul of the state’s lobbying law.

Louisiana – Landry Attorney, Legislators Slam Louisiana Ethics Board for ‘Abusive’ Investigations

Louisiana Illuminator – Julie O’Donoghue | Published: 10/9/2024

Stephen Gelé, a personal attorney for Gov. Jeff Landry, delivered sweeping criticism to the Louisiana Board of Ethics for what he called “abusive” investigations into elected officials’ conduct. Gelé joins a growing chorus of political professionals who have criticized the board’s approach and professionalism in recent months. They might feel emboldened to find fault with the board because Landry, who became governor in January, has not been shy about his own frustrations with the board.

Louisiana – Louisiana Health Officials Fly on Hospital Owner’s Plane to Meet Federal Health Care Regulators

MSN – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 10/4/2024

Rock Bordelon, a political donor whose company runs 11 rural hospitals in Louisiana plus behavioral health centers, hospice care, and other medical clinics, offered roundtrip flights on his personal aircraft and paid for “ground transportation” in the Washington D.C., area for state Department of Health officials to meet with federal regulators, according to disclosure forms. Those regulators control how much public money flows to health care facilities like the ones that Bordelon runs.

Maine – State Clashes with CMP, Versant in Federal Court Over Ban on Foreign Spending on Elections

Yahoo News – Rachel Ohm (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 10/9/2024

Attorneys for the state of Maine and two major utility companies argued in federal appeals court over the legality of a state law passed by voters that bans foreign governments from spending money on state and local races and referendum campaigns. A District Court erred when it granted a preliminary injunction preventing the law from being enforced, said Jonathan Bolton, an assistant attorney general. Joshua Dunlap, an attorney for Central Maine Power, argued that  the government should not be able to silence companies and citizens because of a small amount of foreign ownership.

Minnesota – The Minnesota DFL’s Massive, Behind-the-Scenes Political Fundraising Network Explained

Minnesota Post – Michael Nolan and Peter Callaghan | Published: 10/3/2024

The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) has an extensive campaign funding system developed over two decades by the DFL and its affiliated organizations – unions, wealthy donors, the state party, the two legislative caucuses, and a triumvirate of committees that raise and spend millions of dollars each election cycle to help elect members of the party. The potent DFL apparatus might not be such a big factor in Minnesota politics if Republicans and their own affiliated organizations could come close to competing.

Missouri – Missouri Sheriffs’ Pension Donates $30K to Ballot Campaign, Sparking Concerns

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 10/9/2024

The Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System made a $30,000 investment recently, hoping for a big return if voters approve a ballot measure imposing a three-dollar fee on court cases to fund the system’s pensions. The contribution was to the Committee to Ensure a Future for Sheriffs & Prosecutors, the committee promoting Amendment 6 on the November ballot. The donation is drawing concern from critics who question whether the pension board is using taxpayer dollars to support a political campaign.

Montana – Lawmakers Can Decide If Their Communication with Lobbyists Is Public, Judge Rules

Montana Public Radio – John Hooks | Published: 10/4/2024

Montana lawmakers can now decide if their communication with lobbyists and outside groups is available to the public. State District Court Judge Christopher Abbott ruled that lawmakers’ communications with private individuals were privileged, and therefore not subject to the public’s right to know.

Nebraska – Nebraska Governor’s Roundtables with Business Leaders Double as Campaign Fundraisers

Grand Isle Independent – Chris Dunker (Lincoln Journal Star) | Published: 10/7/2024

Since taking office, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has hosted a series of discussions with business and industry leaders, providing insight into policy debates at the Capitol, previews of upcoming elections, and offering a chance for those individuals to provide feedback. The Governor’s Industry Roundtable program also includes invitations to special events, an annual meeting, and cocktail receptions. Business leaders are also asked to make a minimum contribution of $10,000 to Pillen’s campaign committee.

Nevada – Nevada Republican Convicted of Taking Money Meant for Officer Memorial

MSN – María Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2024

A Nevada politician was found guilty of taking money meant for a memorial honoring a police officer killed in the line of duty and spending it on plastic surgery, rent, and her daughter’s wedding. Michele Fiore, a justice of the peace and former Las Vegas City Council member, faces up to 140 years in prison – 20 for each count.

New Mexico – Jeff Apodaca Campaign Group Collected $143,000

Yahoo News – Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 10/3/2024

A political committee aimed at thwarting progressive Democratic influence in this year’s legislative elections appeared to fizzle after the June 4 primary, according to new campaign finance disclosures. The New Mexico Project received a total of $143,220 but reported no contributions after May 28. The organization and its co-founder Jeff Apodaca filed the required reports after defying state campaign reporting laws for months.

New York – Photos Show New York Congressman in Blackface as Michael Jackson

DNyuz – Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) | Published: 10/3/2024

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York wore blackface as part of a Halloween costume when he was a college student almost two decades ago, according to photographs obtained by The New York Times. The images, taken around October 2006, show a 20-year-old Lawler at a campus social gathering dressed as Michael Jackson. The images may come into play in Lawler’s fight for re-election this fall against Mondaire Jones, a Black former member of Congress, in a suburban swing seat.

New York – Adams Adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin Was Joined on Trip to Japan by Lobbyist, City Hall Staffer

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt and Graham Rayman (New York Daily News) | Published: 10/4/2024

Ingrid Lewis-Martin, New York City Mayor Eric Mayor Adams’ embattled chief adviser, and former state Sen. Jesse Hamilton were joined on their recent trip to Japan by registered lobbyist Adam Clayton Powell IV and Lisa Lashley, a senior City Hall official overseeing hiring efforts. The trip, which Lewis-Martin characterized as a vacation, burst into the headlines after it was reported both she and Hamilton, now a top real estate official in Adams’ administration, had their cellphones seized by Manhattan district attorney investigators immediately upon returning from Japan.

New York – A Former Aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams Is Charged with Destroying Evidence as Top Deputy Quits

MSN – Michael Sisak and Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 10/8/2024

A former New York City official was charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence in a federal investigation that led to Mayor Eric Adams’ bribery indictment. The arrest came amid yet more high-profile departures from Adams’ administration. Federal prosecutors allege that Mohamed Bahi, who resigned as a community affairs liaison, told a businessperson and campaign donors to lie to the FBI, and deleted the encrypted messaging app Signal from his cell phone as FBI agents arrived to search his home. Bahi had used the app to communicate with Adams, prosecutors said.

North Dakota – North Dakota’s Likely Next Governor Brushes Off Conflict Concerns, Says His Oil and Gas Ties Would Benefit the State

MSN – Jacob Orledge (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 10/6/2024

When Kelly Armstrong filed his federal financial disclosure after being elected to Congress in 2018, he revealed his extensive ties to the oil and gas industry in his home state of North Dakota. It detailed his income from hundreds of oil wells and his financial relationship with two of the state’s largest oil producers. Those ties will matter a great deal if, as is likely, he is elected governor in November. Under North Dakota’s system, he will automatically chair two state bodies that regulate the energy industry, meaning Armstrong would be expected to preside over decisions that directly impact companies in which he has financial or familial ties.

Ohio – Appeals Court: Ohio can ban green card holders from donating to ballot campaigns

MSN – Jesse Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 10/9/2024

Ohio can ban foreign nationals and green card holders from donating to ballot campaigns, a divided federal appeals court panel ruled. The majority ruled the law was not a violation of the First Amendment. They reinstated a law briefly put on hold by a District Court judge. “If the goal is to prevent foreign influence, extending the ban to all non-citizens (including lawful permanent residents) is the most effective means of advancing that goal,” wrote Judge Amul Thapar.

Oklahoma – State Education Department Seeks Bids for 55,000 Classroom Bibles

MSN – Jennifer Palmer, Paul Monies, and Heather Warlick (Oklahoma Watch) | Published: 10/3/2024

Bids opened for a contract to supply the Oklahoma Department of Education with 55,000 Bibles. The bid documents say vendors must meet certain specifications: Bibles must be the King James Version; must contain the Old and New Testaments; must include copies of the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights; and must be bound in leather or leather-like material. A Bible endorsed by Donald Trump and commonly referred to as the Trump Bible is the only one that meets the criteria. They cost $60 each online, with Trump receiving fees for his endorsement.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania High Court Declines to Decide Mail-In Ballot Issues Before Election

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 10/6/2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to step in and immediately decide issues related to mail-in ballots in the commonwealth with early voting already under way in the few weeks before the November 5 election. The court rejected a request by voting rights and left-leaning groups to stop counties from throwing out mail-in ballots that lack a handwritten date or have an incorrect date on the return envelope, citing earlier rulings pointing to the risk of confusing voters so close to the election.

Texas – CenterPoint ‘Reassessing’ Use of The Pond, Its Houston-Area Lobbying Retreat, CEO Says

MSN – Claire Hao (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 10/8/2024

CenterPoint Energy is “reassessing the use” o its private Chambers County retreat, colloquially known as “The Pond,” as a space to entertain Texas lawmakers, the company’s chief executive said. The country lodge has been key to CenterPoint’s lobbying efforts for decades. More than 70 current or former state and local elected officials said they have visited, reported spending campaign funds on trips there, or were shown on the grounds in public images posted on social media. “In light of the criticism, we are reassessing the use of that facility for things like hosting elected officials,” said Chief Executive Officer Jason Wells.

Virginia – Confusion Over Nonprofit Rules Prompts 3 Virginia Beach Candidates to Return $10,000 Donation

Virginian-Pilot – Stacy Parker | Published: 10/5/2024

Two candidates running for Virginia Beach City Council and Mayor Bobby Dyer are returning campaign donations from a local nonprofit at the request of the donor who says she unwittingly did not follow federal tax rules. Dyer, who is running for reelection, council member Michael Berlucchi, and candidate Stacy Cummings each received $10,000 from BHL Community Service in July. BHL Community Service is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Virginia corporation that holds federal tax-exempt status and is therefore barred from giving campaign donations due to IRS regulations.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Grapples with Governor’s 400-Year Veto, Calling It ‘Crazy’

MSN – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 10/9/2024

Justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court said Gov. Tony Evers’ creative use of his expansive veto power in an attempt to lock in a school funding increase for 400 years appeared to be “extreme” and “crazy” but questioned whether and how it should be reined in. The case is the latest flashpoint in a decades-long fight over how broad the governor’s partial veto power should be. The issue has crossed party lines, with Republicans and Democrats pushing for more limitations on the governor’s veto over the years.

Elections

Idaho: “Idaho Lawmaker Tells Native American Candidate ‘Go Back Where You Came From’ in Forum” by Associated Press for MSN

National: “Conservative Activists Are Monitoring, and Filming, Voter Registration Sites” by Jack Healy (New York Times) for DNyuz

Ethics

California: “L.A.’s Ex-Deputy Mayor Headed to Prison: ‘Corruption at any level will not be tolerated'” by Brittny Mejia (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

Washington DC: “Informant in Trayon White Case Bribed Another D.C. Official, Records Say” by Meagan Flynn, Jenny Gathright, and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “After Storied Time as the ‘Velvet Hammer,’ Michael Madigan to Face a Jury” by Ray Long, Jason Meisner, and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Montana: “Lawmakers Can Decide If Their Communication with Lobbyists Is Public, Judge Rules” by John Hooks for Montana Public Radio

New York: “Adams Adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin Was Joined on Trip to Japan by Lobbyist, City Hall Staffer” by Chris Sommerfeldt and Graham Rayman (New York Daily News) for MSN

Procurement

Oklahoma: “State Education Department Seeks Bids for 55,000 Classroom Bibles” by Jennifer Palmer, Paul Monies, and Heather Warlick (Oklahoma Watch) for MSN

National/Federal

Courtroom Clash in Trump’s Election Interference Case as the Judge Ponders the Path Ahead

Associated Press News – Eric Tucker, Alanna Durkin Richer, and Michael Kunzelman | Published: 9/5/2024

In the first court hearing in nearly a year, a lawyer for Donald Trump clashed with the judge in the federal election interference prosecution of the former president after suggesting the government was rushing forward with an “illegitimate” indictment at the height of the White House campaign. Prosecutors and defense lawyers are bitterly at odds over the next steps in the case after the Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the prosecution by ruling former presidents are entitled to broad immunity from criminal charges.

Iran Emerges as a Top Disinformation Threat in U.S. Presidential Race

DNyuz – Steven Lee Myers, Tiffany Hsu, and Faranz Fassihi (New York Times) | Published: 9/4/2024

American officials and tech company analysts say Iran is waging an intensifying campaign to sway this year’s American presidential election. Iran has long carried out clandestine information operations against its adversaries, especially Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, but until now most of its activities were conducted under the shadow of similar campaigns by Russia and China. Its latest propaganda and disinformation efforts have grown more brazen, more varied, and more ambitious, according to the U.S. government, company officials, and Iran experts.

Republicans Seize on False Theories About Immigrant Voting

DNyuz – Alexandra Berzon (New York Times) | Published: 9/5/2024

There is no indication that noncitizens are voting in large numbers. Yet the notion they will flood the polls, and vote overwhelmingly for Democrats, is animating a network of Republicans who mobilized around Donald Trump’s false claims of a rigged election in 2020 and are now preparing for the next one. Activists, prominent lawyers, Republican lawmakers, right-wing influencers, and other Trump allies have pressed for voter roll purges, filed lawsuits, prepared for on-the-ground monitoring of polling places, and spread misinformation online.

Whistle-Blower Groups Push to End Secret Seizure of Congressional Communications

DNyuz – Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 8/31/2024

As President Trump hunted for people inside the government who were divulging details of an investigation into whether his 2016 election campaign colluded with Russia, the Justice Department turned to a covert tactic. Department officials secretly collected the phone and email records of roughly a dozen people connected to Congress, including lawmakers and aides who routinely deal with anonymous whistleblowers, to see who might be coming forward with confidential information. Now, whistleblower advocacy groups hope to shame the agency into ending the practice of secretly collecting congressional communications records.

GOP Network Props Up Liberal Third-Party Candidates in Key States, Hoping to Siphon Off Harris Votes

MSN – Brian Slodysko and Dan Merica (Associated Press) | Published: 9/1/2024

Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers, and their allies is trying to shape November’s election in ways that favor Donald Trump. Their goal is to prop up third-party candidates such as Cornell West who offer liberal voters an alternative that could siphon away support from Vice President Kamala Harris. It is not clear who is paying for the effort, but it could be impactful in states that were decided by miniscule margins in the 2020 election won by Joe Biden.

13-Month Sentence for Man Who Made 12,000 Harassing Calls to Congress Members

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2024

Ade Lilly was sentenced to 13 months in prison for making more than 12,000 harassing phone calls to members of Congress over an 18-month period and threatening to kill a congressional aide. Addressing the defense’s argument that Lilly was motivated by childhood tragedy and a zealous belief lawmakers must do more for the nation’s young people, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly said, “it is easy to see” how his offense might be the result of “good intentions gone wrong.”

Ginni Thomas Privately Praised Group Working Against Supreme Court Reform: ‘Thank you so, so, so much’

MSN – Andy Kroll (ProPublica) and Nick Surgery (Documented) | Published: 9/4/2024

Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, privately heaped praise on a major religious-rights group for fighting efforts to reform the nation’s highest court – efforts sparked, in large part, by her husband’s ethical lapses. Ginni Thomas expressed her appreciation in an email sent to Kelly Shackelford, an influential litigator whose clients have won cases at the Supreme Court. Shackelford runs the First Liberty Institute. It came shortly after President Biden announced support for a slate of reforms for the high court.

Convicted Fraudsters Launch AI Lobbying Firm Using Fake Names

Yahoo News – Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 9/2/2024

A K Street startup pitched as a service to integrate AI into lobbying is covertly run by a pair of well-known, far-right conspiracy theorists and convicted felons who are using pseudonyms in their new business, according to four former employees and other evidence. LobbyMatic was founded last year by Jacob Wohl, who in 2022 was convicted along with his longtime associate Jack Burkman of fraud after running a robocall campaign in largely Black neighborhoods in several states telling people not to vote by mail. LobbyMatic, whose website does not list any company leadership, temporarily signed up at least three brand-name clients.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – She Was Arrested After Speaking at a City Meeting. Now She’s Suing.

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 9/4/2024

An Arizona woman is suing the city of Surprise for arresting and charging her with trespassing during a recent city council meeting after she criticized the city attorney’s proposed pay raise. Mayor Skip Hall interrupted Rebekah Massie’s remarks, accusing her of “attacking the city attorney personally” and violating a council policy. Her lawsuit requests that a judge order the city to halt a policy that stipulates comments during council meetings “may not be used to lodge charges or complaints against” public officials.

California – Mayor Breed Orders Increased Scrutiny of San Francisco Contract Work, Grantees

KQED – Sydney Johnson | Published: 9/3/2024

City contractors and grant recipients will face tighter scrutiny to receive public dollars, according to a directive from San Francisco Mayor London Breed. The order, which is effective immediately, comes after numerous scandals. Breed also announced legislation to support her directive that would require contractors to keep separate accounts for political activities and prevent them from using city funds or lobbying officials.

California – While an Orange County Supervisor Was Under Scrutiny, His Daughter Interned with County Prosecutors

MSN – Salvador Hernandez (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/29/2024

Within weeks of it being revealed that Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do directed millions of dollars in contracts to a nonprofit without disclosing a link to his daughter, a scandal that sparked a lawsuit and a possible federal probe, his daughter began working as an intern for the county’s top prosecutor. Two county supervisors said they were unaware of Rhiannon Do’s stint at the district attorney’s office while county officials considered a lawsuit against Viet America Society, a nonprofit that once listed the supervisor’s daughter as its president, and asked for local and federal officials to step in.

California – Anaheim Hires City’s First Ethics Officer

Orange County Register – Michael Slaten | Published: 9/3/2024

Anaheim has hired its first ethics officer. Artin Berjikly will be the assistant city attorney-ethics officer, leading a new ethics division. Berjikly will report to the city attorney and provide legal expertise on ethical issues, campaign finance laws, conflict-of-interest rules, and the city’s lobbying laws.

Florida – Activists Charged with Pushing Russian Propaganda Go on Trial in Florida

WLRN – Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) | Published: 9/3/2024

Experts say a trial in Florida offers a rare glimpse into how Russia has tried to secretly influence American politics. Prosecutors say Russia sought out a sympathetic group in the U.S., invited its leader to visit Moscow, and established a long-term relationship. The group then promoted Russian views on its website, social media accounts, and radio station. Four Americans face charges they conspired to have other U.S. citizens act as illegal agents of the Russian government or acted as unregistered Russian agents themselves.

Florida – Miami Lakes Sues Law Firm Over Role in FBI Corruption Sting That Led to Mayor’s Arrest

Yahoo News – Catherine Odom (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/29/2024

Miami Lakes is suing a law firm over its involvement in an FBI sting operation that led to the arrest of the town’s mayor in 2013. The suit is seeking more than $5 million in damages over the role of Richard Candia, who was an employee at the law firm Becker & Poliakoff, in the FBI operation. Candia was party to an alleged corruption scheme involving then-Mayor Michael Pizzi and later became an FBI informant. Miami Lakes is suing the firm, which was under contract to provide lobbying and consulting services to the town, for negligence, as well as breach of contract and fiduciary duties.

Iowa – Iowa Lieutenant Governor Resigns to Take Over State Lobby Group Representing Bankers

MSN – Hannah Fingerhut (Associated Press) | Published: 9/3/2024

Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigned to take the helm of the Iowa Bankers Association. The association advocates for its members with state and local governments and has been led for 28 years by John Sorensen, who is stepping down this year. Sorensen was registered as a lobbyist for the current General Assembly, but Iowa law specifies a statewide elected official “shall not within two years after the termination of service or employment become a lobbyist.”

Louisiana – Shreveport Lawmaker Fought Ethics Board for Years Before Authoring New Ethics Laws

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 8/29/2024

The first two bills state Rep. Steven Jackson authored had an unusual target for a new lawmaker: Louisiana’s Board of Ethics. His interest in restricting the board’s activities follows five years of angry exchanges between Jackson and ethics staff over financial penalties he has accrued while running for office. Since his first race for the Caddo Parish Commission in 2015, Jackson has racked up $10,080 in late fees after failing to file or improperly submitting 12 campaign finance and personal disclosure reports.

Maine – Maine Utilities Will Be Banned from Spending Ratepayer Money on Lobbying, Advertising

Yahoo News – Stephen Singer (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 9/4/2024

Maine regulators announced they will draft rules that prohibit utilities from billing ratepayers for spending on advertising, lobbying, and political expenses and require spending disclosures to the state. Legislation passed last year bars utilities from passing on expenses for contributions or gifts to candidates, political parties, and political or legislative committees; to a trade association, chamber of commerce, or public charity; for lobbying or grassroots lobbying; or for educational expenses, unless approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

Montana – Tim Sheehy Was Recorded Using Racist Stereotypes About Native Americans

Seattle Times – Kellen Browning (New York Times) | Published: 9/3/2024

Tim Sheehy, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Montana, made comments perpetuating racist stereotypes about Native Americans during private fundraisers last year, according to recordings of the events. In one recording, Sheehy can be heard saying he had participated in roping and branding cattle on the Crow Reservation, and it was “a great way to bond with all the Indians out there, while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.”

New Hampshire – Ex-Biden Official in NH Primary Raises Questions with ‘Bizarre’ Financial Disclosure

MSN – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 8/30/2024

Maggie Goodlander, a candidate in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire for retiring U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster’s seat, filed a personal financial disclosure that has raised questions over the actual value of sizable assets she holds. The disclosure puzzled experts because it lists the value of multiple easily verifiable assets as “undetermined,” including checking, retirement, and investment accounts, and several properties or pieces of land, even those the report indicates are currently for sale.

New Mexico – The New Mexico Project Ordered to Disclose Donors, Campaign Expenditures

Yahoo News – Colleen Held (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/29/2024

A state judge ordered a dark money group that paid for political advertising in support of legislative candidates in New Mexico earlier this year to disclose the sources of its funding and its spending by September 9. Judge Joshua Allison ruled the New Mexico Project meets the definition of “political committee” and must comply with the state’s campaign finance law. The state Ethics Commission based its case partly on statements the group’s founder made on talk radio, social media, and in radio advertisements.

New York – Former Aide to N.Y. Governors Charged with Secretly Helping China

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 9/3/2024

Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, was accused of trading on her connections to act as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government. Federal prosecutors also indicted Sun’s husband, Chris Hu, for allegedly illegal conduct dating back to her time as an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Sun was accused of using her influence as a top aide to both governors to shape state policy toward China and Taiwan. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the couple’s scheme made them millions of dollars.

New York – Federal Judge Rejects Donald Trump’s Request to Intervene in Wake of Hush Money Conviction

MSN – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 9/3/2024

A federal judge rejected Donald Trump’s request to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, spurning the former president’s attempt at an end-run around the state court where he was convicted and is set to be sentenced on September 18. U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein’s ruling – just hours after Trump’s lawyers asked him to weigh the move – upends Trump’s plan to move the case to federal court so he could seek to have his conviction overturned in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling.

North Carolina – In North Carolina, the Math for a Supermajority May Come Down to One

DNyuz – David Chen (New York Times) | Published: 8/31/2024

This fall, as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of state Legislatures across the country, much of the attention has focused on states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, where one or two seats could tip the balance. But in a handful of states, the Legislature is dominated by one party, while the governor’s office is held by another. In those states, an effort is underway to either preserve an existing supermajority, which confers the ability to override a governor’s veto, or to break it. Nowhere has the battle been more magnified than in North Carolina.

Ohio – Federal Judge Blocks Ohio’s Ban on Foreign Political Donations

Ohio Capital Journal – Morgan Trau (WEWS) | Published: 9/3/2024

A federal judge blocked Ohio’s new law limiting who can participate in the political process just hours before it was set to go into effect. The controversial legislation would have prevented lawful permanent residents, known as green card holders, from making contributions or expenditures regarding ballot issues or candidates. It would also prevent campaigns from accepting donations from them.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma’s Election Laws Inhibit Voter Participation, Create More Extreme Candidates, Experts Say

Oklahoma Voice – Emma Murphy | Published: 8/30/2024

Oklahoma’s voting system is leading to low turnout rates, the election of more extreme candidates, and disenfranchisement of voters who are excluded from participating in primary elections, experts said. That is prompting conversations about whether reforms are needed to increase voter participation rates and how the state can ensure hundreds of thousands of independent voters have a voice at the ballot box at a time when most outcomes are determined months ahead of November’s general election.

Pennsylvania – A Court Just Told Pa. Not to Reject Mail Ballots Missing Handwritten Dates. The Case Isn’t Over Yet.

Spotlight PA – Carter Walker (Votebeat) | Published: 8/30/2024

Not counting a voter’s mail ballot because they failed to properly date the return envelope violates their rights under the state constitution, a Pennsylvania appellate court ruled. “The refusal to count undated or incorrectly dated but timely mail ballots submitted by otherwise eligible voters because of meaningless and inconsequential paperwork errors violates the fundamental right to vote recognized in the free and equal elections clause,” Judge Ellen Ceisler wrote for the majority, referring to a provision in the state constitution. Republicans said they would immediately appeal the ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Tennessee – Tennessee Education Commissioner Remains Under the Microscope

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennesse Lookout) | Published: 9/5/2024

Tennessee lawmakers have been scrutinizing state Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds almost since she took the post in 2023 to push the governor’s private-school voucher plan, and some want to take an even closer look at her administration. Reynolds has been dogged by revelations that she did not meet state requirements to hold the education commissioner position. A complaint was filed about trips Reynolds took to two out-of-state education conferences paid for by her former employer, the pro-voucher group ExcelInEd, which hires a lobbyist to work on education issues in Tennessee.

Texas – Paxton’s Election Fraud Charges Upend Lives but Result in Few Convictions

MSN – Arelis Hernández and Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 9/2/2024

Leticia Sanchez was an activist in her majority-Latino community helping register people to vote before she was arrested in 2018. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused her and three other Hispanic women of forming an “organized voter fraud ring” that targeted elderly voters by applying for mail-in ballots they had not requested. Five years later, the case was dismissed by the state’s highest criminal court. The case fits a pattern that has emerged in Texas under Paxton: aggressive prosecutions for alleged election fraud crimes that upend lives but result in few cases that go to trial and end in a conviction.

Texas – Top Harris County Health Official Fired after Chronicle Investigation into $6 Million Contract

MSN – Mike Morris (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 8/30/2024

Harris County Public Health Executive Director Barbie Robinson was fired amid a scandal over her department’s hiring of an embattled California consulting company for a lucrative contract. Records showed Robinson arranged for DEMA Consulting & Management to run two county COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites two months after she was named executive director in 2021. Then DEMA won a bigger, more competitive public health contract. Several email exchanges during the county’s procurement process for the second contract suggested possible conflicts-of-interest.

Utah – ‘Deceptive’ and ‘Misleading’: Ballot language to limit voters’ initiative power thrashed by critics – including Republicans

Salt Lake Tribune – Robert Gehrke (Sal Lake Tribune) | Published: 9/4/2024

Groups opposing a constitutional amendment that will ensure the Utah Legislature can repeal or amend any future ballot initiative are outraged by the way the issue will be presented on voters’ ballots in November. The question put before voters is whether to prohibit “foreign influence” on ballot initiatives and “clarifying the voters and legislative bodies’ ability to amend laws.” Opponents contend the description of the amendment “clarifying” the power of voters minimizes what they say is a power grab by the Legislature that would strip voters of their constitutional right to run ballot initiatives.

Vermont – House Ethics Panel Provided ‘Restorative Justice’ Response to Legislator’s Bag-Soaking Scheme

VTDigger.org – Sarah Mearhoff | Published: 8/29/2024

After investigating accusations that a state representative repeatedly bullied a colleague throughout the 2024 legislative session by secretly pouring water into his tote bag, the Vermont House Ethics Panel initiated a “restorative justice process as a response.” Rep. Jim Carroll, the target of the bullying, and Rep. Mary Morrissey, who admitted to the acts, said they met with the panel throughout this summer to discuss the incidents. A statement said Morrissey “is committed to making amends, including activities that encourage the development and strengthening of collaborative and positive relationships within the legislative community.”

Washington – Group Behind State Initiatives Accused of Violating State Anti-Corruption Laws with Discount Gas, Burgers

Spokane Spokesman-Review – Emry Dinman | Published: 9/4/2024

Let’s Go Washington was accused of illegally trying to sway voters to support four initiatives the group backs with offers of discount gas and burgers. The complaint filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission alleges Let’s Go Washington’s offer of cheaper gas, and in one case food during promotional events for the four initiatives, ran afoul of the state’s anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws.

Campaign Finance

Ohio: “Federal Judge Blocks Ohio’s Ban on Foreign Political Donations” by Morgan Trau (WEWS) for Ohio Capital Journal

Elections

Florida: “Activists Charged with Pushing Russian Propaganda Go on Trial in Florida” by Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) for WLRN

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma’s Election Laws Inhibit Voter Participation, Create More Extreme Candidates, Experts Say” by Emma Murphy for Oklahoma Voice

Pennsylvania: “A Court Just Told Pa. Not to Reject Mail Ballots Missing Handwritten Dates. The Case Isn’t Over Yet.” by Carter Walker (Votebeat) for Spotlight PA

Texas: “Paxton’s Election Fraud Charges Upend Lives but Result in Few Convictions” by Arelis Hernández and Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Convicted Fraudsters Launch AI Lobbying Firm Using Fake Names” by Daniel Lippman (Politico) for Yahoo News

New York: “Former Aide to N.Y. Governors Charged with Secretly Helping China” by Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN

Procurement

California: “Mayor Breed Orders Increased Scrutiny of San Francisco Contract Work, Grantees” by Sydney Johnson for KQED