National/Federal

Paul Weiss Chair Says Deal with Trump Adheres to Firm’s Principles

DNyuz – Matthew Goldstein, Jessica Silver-Greenbergm and Ben Protess (New York Times) | Published: 3/21/2025

The chairperson of Paul Weiss sought to reassure employees at the giant law firm that the deal it reached with President Trump was consistent with principles the firm has long stood by. Brad Karp sent a firm-wide email, detailing the agreement he had reached with Trump, which allowed the firm to escape an executive order that could have cost it significant business. Despite Karp’s assurances, the deal caused concern among the broader legal community that large law firms were capitulating to Trump’s demands instead of fighting them in court.

Federal Judiciary Creates New Task Force with Threats on the Rise

DNyuz – Abbie Van Sickle and Mattathias Schwartz (New York Times) | Published: 3/26/2025

A task force of federal judges will consider how to respond to “current risks” for the judiciary, following a spate of threats against judges who have ruled against the Trump administration. The formation of the task force is another sign the judicial branch is taking seriously an increasingly hostile and politicized climate.

Justice Dept. Tries to Intervene on Trump’s Behalf in Jan. 6 Lawsuits

DNyuz – Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 3/20/2025

The Justice Department made an unusual effort to short-circuit a series of civil lawsuits seeking to hold President Trump accountable for his supporters’ attack on the Capitol. Department lawyers argued in court papers the cases that Trump was acting in his official capacity as president on January 6 and so the federal government itself should take his place as the defendant. That move, if successful, could protect Trump from having to face judgment for his role in the attack and from having to pay financial damages if he were found liable.

Lutnick Urges Fox News Viewers to Buy Tesla Stock, Raising Ethics Questions

MSN – Justine McDaniel and Sabina Rodriguez (Washington Post) | Published: 3/20/2025

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urged Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock, an apparent violation of federal ethics rules that prohibit officials from endorsing products or businesses. His promotion of Tesla was the latest move by a Trump administration official to bolster support for Elon Musk’s car company as it becomes a target for voters upset about the sweeping cuts Musk is leading across the federal government through the U.S. DOGE Service.

K Street Crashes Into ‘Nearly Un-Lobbyable’ Elon Musk

MSN – Sophia Call and Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 3/20/2025

Washington’s lobbying class is searching for an effective approach to an unprecedented challenge: how do you influence a mercurial outsider like Elon Musk who has immense but unofficial power and is the world’s richest person. But solving for Musk could pay huge dividends. If K Street can figure out how to lobby him, they can capitalize off the anxiety pervading Washington that drives companies and industries to sign six-figure retainers.

Health Benefits Company Co-Founded by Dr. Oz Could Be a Conflict of Interest

MSN – Lauren Weber and Caitlin Gilbert (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2025

Mehmet Oz, the nominee to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), co-founded health benefits company ZorroRX with his son last year. ZorroRX and similar companies promise to make hospitals money and save employers cash by connecting patients to the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. As head of CMS, Oz would lead an agency that could directly influence how much money hospitals, and in turn companies like ZorroRX, make from the federal system.

‘This Is Not Your Grandmother’s Easter Egg Roll’: White House seeks corporate sponsorships for Easter event

MSN – Betsy Kline (CNN) | Published: 3/23/2025

The White House, through an outside event production company called Harbinger, is soliciting corporate sponsors for this year’s Easter Egg Roll, which is prompting major concerns from ethics experts and shock from former White House officials from both parties. The solicitation for sponsorships marks an unprecedented offering of corporate branding opportunities on White House grounds running counter to long-established regulations prohibiting the use of public office for private gain.

Trump’s Washington Runs on Secret Chat App Signal

MSN – Shira Ovide, Danielle Abril, and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 3/25/2025

Two months into the Trump administration, there is a sweeping shift underway in Washington as federal workers, and some high-level administration officials, migrate their correspondence to the messaging app Signal in a zeal for secrecy. Adopting Signal and other surveillance-dodging tactics of spies and billionaires comes at the potential loss of a real-time history of the Trump administration. The Atlantic magazine’s top editor said he was accidently added to a signal group in which U.S. officials planned a recent military attack in Yemen.

Trump’s Crackdown on Top Law Firms Spreads to Congress

MSN – Dasha Burns, Caitlin Oprysko, and Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 3/24/2025

An email circulated by a Republican Senate staffer to GOP Senate offices instructs them to pay heed to the lobbying clients of Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie, two law firms that President Trump has singled out in his campaign to crack down on those that oppose his policies. A person familiar with the email said the goal was to signal “that maybe Senate Republican staffers should consider whether they should be helpful to these individuals [that hire Covington and Perkins Coie], given their affiliation with firms deemed to be anti-Trump.”

For Many, Proving U.S. Citizenship to Vote Could Be Costly and Difficult

MSN – Anumita Kaur and Gaya Gupta (Washington Post) | Published: 3/26/2025

Millions of Americans could be prevented from voting after President Trump signed an executive order requiring people to provide documents that prove they are citizens when they register to vote. High costs, bureaucratic delays, and transportation issues are among myriad hurdles preventing many Americans from acquiring these forms of identification, which means Trump’s new mandate will make it harder for citizens to reach the ballot box, experts said.

Masked Agents Whisk Away Tufts Student from Sidewalk, Video Shows

MSN – Niha Masih, Frances Vinall, and Julie Yoon (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2025

As Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk made her way to an interfaith center to break the Ramadan, plainclothes agents, some masked, descended on her. Within about a minute, the agents whisked her away in handcuffs. Ozturk’s lawyer said the agent belonged to the Department of Homeland Security. Ozturk is a Fulbright scholar on an F-1 student visa, her lawyer said. President Trump promised to deport international students he alleges are engaging in “pro-terrorist, antisemitic, anti-American” campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza.

From the States and Municipalities

Europe – Why Banning Huawei from the EU Institutions Is Harder Than It Seems

Euractiv – Anupriya Datta and Nicoletta Ionta | Published: 3/25/2025

The European Parliament quickly suspended lobbyists’ access after a new corruption case emerged involving Huawei, which allegedly paid bribes to politicians to support its 5G expansion in Europe. After the allegations became public, the European Commission issued internal instructions directing commissioners, cabinet members, and staff to immediately suspend all meetings and contacts with Huawei “until further notice.” But Huawei lobbyists could exploit loopholes to retain access to European Union premises despite the ban.

Canada – Canada’s Carney Calls Snap Election as Trump Looms Over Campaign

MSN – Amanda Coletta (Washington Post) | Published: 3/23/2025

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap federal election for April 28, seeking to capitalize on momentum that has his Liberals resurgent. The campaign is likely to come down to one question: who can best handle President Trump and make Canada more resilient in the face of his threats? The election will pit Carney against Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, a populist firebrand who until recently held a commanding lead in the polls.

Arizona – GOP Lawmaker Undermines One of His Party’s Candidates for AZ Governor

Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 3/27/2025

The head of the conservative Arizona Freedom Caucus is advancing legislation that would bar Republican Karrin Taylor Robson from becoming the next governor, even if she were to win the election over his favored GOP candidate. The resolution says nothing about Robson, but it does say no person is eligible to become a state elected official who for two years prior to the primary election was required to register as a paid lobbyist.

California – S.F. Is Weak and Ineffective at Preventing Conflicts of Interest, Report Finds

Mission Local – Xueer Lu | Published: 3/24/2025

Since January 2020, San Francisco has had eight department head-level employees forced out of office due to allegations of corruption. A new report suggests the city’s systems meant to limit conflicts-of-interest are lax and ineffective. The Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office noted a distinct lack of process for reviewing financial disclosure forms, inconsistency across departments in ethics training, and failure of city employees to disclose secondary jobs and failure to catch and check them.

California – What Do the City Records Show About the Alleged Bribe in the Sacramento Mayor’s Race?

MSN – Joe Rubin (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 3/25/2025

Three weeks before allegedly offering a bribe to Sacramento mayoral candidate Flojaune Cofer, California Black Chamber of Commerce President Jay King had a previously undisclosed lunch meeting with then-City Manager Howard Chan and developer Paul Petrovich. During a September phone call, Cofer said she was asked by King to extend Chan’s contract. If she did, she said, King promised that Petrovich would make a substantial campaign contribution.

California – Ousted Official Used City Cash for Son’s UCLA Tuition, Probe Finds

San Francisco Standard – Gabe Greschler, Noah Baustin, Jonah Owen Lamb, and David Sijostedt | Published: 3/20/2025

Investigators revealed new details about a former San Francisco department head who allegedly enriched herself through a corrupt scheme of bribes and illegal gifts that went on for years. The city attorney’s office said Sheryl Davis, who has resigned as the Human Rights Commission director, received tens of thousands of dollars from a city-funded organization that benefitted her personal business ventures, expensive travel, and her son’s tuition at UCLA.

Colorado – Trump Complained About a Portrait of Him in Colorado’s Capitol. Now It’s Being Removed.

MSN – Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) | Published: 3/25/2025

President Trump likes having his name and image on things, but there is one representation of his likeness that he wanted gone – a portrait that hangs in the Colorado Capitol. Trump took to Truth Social to complain about the painting, blaming the state’s Democratic governor for it and demanding it be removed. Republican then asked for the portrait to be taken down, and the Democratic lawmakers who hold the majorities in the Legislature signed off on removing it.

Florida – Florida’s Top Gambling Regulator Became a FanDuel Lobbyist. A Bill Would Bar a Repeat.

MSN – Alexandra Glorioso (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/20/2025

As Florida’s first gambling regulator, Louis Trombetta took an aggressive approach to fantasy sports betting, driving three companies to shut down their games in the state. Then he went to work for one of their competitors. The sudden about-face has raised questions by ethics experts about the “revolving door” between regulators and the industry, a door one state lawmaker wants to shut behind Trombetta.

Idaho – Committee Sends Overhaul of Idaho’s Campaign Finance Law to House

Moscow-Pullman Daily News – Laura Guido | Published: 3/25/2025

A major overhaul of Idaho’s campaign finance law moved to the House floor. House Bill 442 would increase campaign expenditure reporting frequency, raise individual contribution limits, and include a trigger to significantly increase donation limits if a legislative candidate has $50,000 spent against them.

Kansas – Kansas Lawmakers Vote to Let More Organizations to Pay for Their Travel Expenses

MSN – Jack Harvel (Topeka Capital-Journal) | Published: 3/26/2025

A bill sent to the Kansas governor would allow more nonprofits to reimburse politicians for travel to events and conferences and give more leeway for the executive branch to accept gifts or discounted tickets to entertainment events. Organizations like the National Conference of State Legislatures can pay travel-related expenses, but non-nationwide organizations are prohibited. The bill expands who can reimburse lawmakers to any nonprofit nonpartisan group that does not lobby in the state.

Kentucky – Democrat Grimes, Former Kentucky Secretary of State, Wins Appeal in Ethics Case

Yahoo News – Jack Brammer (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 3/23/2025

The Kentucky Court of Appeals unanimously has upheld a lower court order that cleared former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes of ethics charges. The court said the Executive Branch Ethics Commission missed its statutory deadline to charge Grimes with improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data from her public office while she was secretary of state. The commission argued it was not bound by any statute of limitations.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Presses Louisiana on Use of Race During 2022 Redistricting

MSN – John Fritze (CNN) | Published: 3/24/2025

The Supreme Court grappled with a years-old, messy legal battle over Louisiana’s congressional districts during an oral argument in which several of the court’s conservatives questioned whether the state had violated the Constitution because of its focus on race. Several of those justices signaled they are prepared to further weaken the influence that the Voting Right Act has on redistricting, although it was not clear if there was a majority to do so in Louisiana’s case. That is partly because lower courts had guided the state toward redrawing its lines with race in mind.

Maryland – Gov. Moore’s Planned Attendance at Political Fundraiser Raises Legal Questions

MSN – Brooke Conrad (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 3/27/2025

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appearance at an upcoming event organized by the Unity First PAC is raising eyebrows in Annapolis. Maryland law places certain limits on fundraising activities by the governor and other state officials during the General Assembly session and the event is scheduled for April 2, five days before the conclusion of the session. David Mitrani, Unity First PAC’s lawyer, said the PAC does not “engage in activity that is covered under Maryland’s campaign finance law and is not a candidate committee … and is therefore not subject to the legislative session blackout period.”

Minnesota – Minnesota State Senator Resigns After He Was Charged with Soliciting a Minor for Prostitution

MSN – Steve Karnowski (Associated Press) | Published: 3/20/2025

Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn resigned after he was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution, stepping down before the Senate could vote on whether to expel him. Investigators had placed multiple ads online offering sex for money, according to the charging documents. Eichorn exchanged text messages with an undercover officer purporting to be a 17-year-old girl for several days until they arranged a meet-up, where he was arrested.

Montana – Former Legislators Could Immediately Become Lobbyists Under Senate Bill

Daily Montanan – Jordan Hansen | Published: 3/20/2025

Former Montana legislators could immediately become lobbyists under legislation from Sen. Greg Hertz. Now, state lawmakers, elected state officials, department directors, appointed state officials, and members of an elected official’s personal staff are not allowed to be licensed as lobbyists if they have served in any of those positions over the previous two years. Senate Bill 222 would remove the statute entirely.

Montana – ‘Buckle Up’: In Montana, Republican lawmakers target the judiciary

DNyuz – David Chen (New York Times) | Published: 3/24/2025

As the Trump administration steps up its attacks on the federal judiciary, similar power struggles are unfolding at the state level. The Montana Legislature is weighing an avalanche of bills to reshape the judiciary and influence who gets to sit on the courts. Judicial elections would become partisan contests. A new court would be created to adjudicate constitutional claims, helmed by judges who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. At least two bills have even proposed that a judge’s “facial expressions” to be construed as evidence of bias, potentially resulting in disqualification.

Montana – Montana Senate Can’t Muster Enough Votes to Punish Former President Ellsworth

MSN – Tom Lutey (Montana Free Press) | Published: 3/24/2025

The Montana Senate drew to a stalemate over whether to expel Sen. Jason Ellsworth for ethics violations, though there is no limit to how many tries they get at taking some sort of disciplinary action. Lawmakers failed twice to get the necessary two-thirds majority required to expel a member. Between attempts to expel, senators were also unsuccessful at censuring Ellsworth. The latter entailed removing him from key committees and banning him from the Senate floor for a few weeks.

New Jersey – Sanctioned Trump Attorney Alina Habba to Be Interim N.J. Prosecutor

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2025

Alina Habba, a lawyer for President Trump who received sanctions and judicial reprimands while representing him, will be appointed interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Habba has been serving as a White House counselor and was a prominent figure on the campaign trail for Trump. Habba was heavily involved in Trump’s legal entanglements before the November election. In that role, she was sanctioned for running afoul of what judges considered appropriate attorney conduct.

New Mexico – One Signature Away from Becoming Law, Lobbyists Worry Over Reporting Bill

Yahoo News – Megan Gleason (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 3/20/2025

New Mexico lawmakers sent a bill to the governor that would require lobbyists or their employers to file reports disclosing stances on bills they are attempting to influence and, if positions change, to update their stances within 48 hours. Currently, lobbyists only need to publicly report who is employing them and money spent to benefit legislators for lobbying purposes. House Bill 143 has raised red flags for some lobbyists, who are concerned it would worsen existing logistical issues and be overly burdensome.

New Mexico – 60 Days Later, Cicero Institute’s Reason for NM Lobbying Still Hidden from Public

Yahoo News – Patrick Lohmann (Source New Mexico) | Published: 3/24/2025

The legislative session is over and hundreds of bills are closer to becoming law, but it is still unclear which of them a billionaire-backed think tank influenced when it hired two veteran New Mexico lobbyists. The Cicero Institute has been linked to legislative lobbying efforts in other states where lawmakers have made it a misdemeanor to camp in public. The lobbyists would not say, and state law did not require them to disclose which bills they lobbied for or against in the 60-day legislative session that ended March 22.

New York – Cuomo Failed to Disclose Lobbyists Who Bundled Donations

New York Focus – Chris Bragg and Julia Rock | Published: 3/20/2025

.In a recent campaign filing, Andrew Cuomo disclosed having had no “intermediaries” – also known as bundlers – that raised money for his New York City mayoral bid. But records show Tonio Burgos sent out a fundraising email on March 7 seeking donations for Cuomo’s campaign. The email directed potential donors to a fundraising webpage set up by the Cuomo campaign which told them their donations would be matched with taxpayer dollars, even though Burgos’s work as a registered lobbyist means any gifts he solicits are ineligible for matching funds.

New York – Newly Unsealed Memo Sheds Light on Justice Department’s Rush to Drop NYC Mayor’s Corruption Case

Yahoo News – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 3/25/2025

New court documents offer a behind-the-scenes look at how federal prosecutors built and then tried to salvage their criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams in the face of unprecedented pressure from President Trump’s Justice Department. The documents include a draft memo by the former interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who resigned in protest rather than carry out a directive from a top Justice Department official to dump the case against Adams.

Ohio – Romantic Partner of Ex-Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones Charged in Corruption Probe

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/26/2025

The romantic partner of former Cleveland City Councilperson Basheer Jones was accused of lining her pockets with money from several schemes that authorities say the two carried out on nonprofits and through real-estate deals. Sinera Jones hid her relationship with Jones in the deals and allowed him to use his sway to get her a job with a nonprofit, according to prosecutors. Basheer Jones has pleaded guilty to similar charges.

Oregon – How Washington County Sewer Officials Scored Annual Hawaii Trips and 5-Star Lodging

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 3/20/2025

It is not uncommon for government workers in agencies large and small to attend out-of-state conferences. But what makes trips taken by officials with Washington Count’s sewer agency to Hawaii unusual is their frequency, cost, lack of transparency, and that the recurring tropical location is the result of a local business decision made by design. The trips are not accounted for in the agency’s annual budgets even though ratepayers of Clean Water Services indirectly footed the bill.

Pennsylvania – Democrat Notches an Upset in Pennsylvania State Senate Race

DNyuz – Campbell Robertson (New York Times) | Published: 3/26/2025

A Democrat won a surprise victory in a special election for the Pennsylvania Senate, narrowly prevailing in a district that Donald Trump won by 15 points last fall. The election, conducted in the small towns and suburbs of Lancaster County where no Democrat had won since 1979, joined two currents that are powering the political moment.

Texas – Cornyn, Cruz Ask US Supreme Court to Hear Activist’s Case Against Texas Ethics Watchdog

MSN – Bayliss Wagner (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 3/25/2025

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are supporting a conservative activist and political website publisher’s effort to have his case against the Texas Ethics Commission heard in the nation’s highest court. The senators filed a friend-of-the-court brief asking the Supreme Court to take up Michael Quinn Sullivan’s 10-year-old lawsuit challenging a $10,000 fine levied against him in 2014 by the commission. It unanimously found that Sullivan, then the president of advocacy group Empower Texans, failed to register as a lobbyist while he worked to influence state lawmakers.

Texas – Texas Senate Passes Weakened Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Following GOP Amendment

The Texan – Brad Johnson | Published: 3/20/2025

The Texas Senate passed legislation intended to ban “taxpayer-funded lobbying” but tacked on an amendment that exempts groups like the Texas Association of School Boards. The bill prohibits local governments from hiring registered lobbyists and allows citizens to sue those localities if they violate the ban. It applies only to political subdivisions and not constitutional offices, like county sheriffs.

Vermont – Ways and Means: Experts say Vermont Legislature’s ethics disclosures are lacking

Seven Days – Hannah Bassett | Published: 3/26/2025

The public can follow much of Vermont lawmakers’ work easily these days. Bills are updated and tracked from the day they are introduced, and agendas are published online in advance of meetings. Since the pandemic, floor discussions and committee meetings are generally live streamed, and the recordings remain online for viewing after the sessions conclude. For a small state with relatively limited statehouse resources, this is a testament to how even Vermont’s oldest institutions can use modern tools to foster trust in government, when they choose to.

Wisconsin – Why Elon Musk and Tesla Have a Legal Bone to Pick with Wisconsin

DNyuz – Reid Epsien and Neal Boudette (New York Times) | Published: 3/26/2025

Elon Musk is far away the biggest spender in this year’s race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, throwing his fortune behind a conservative candidate aiming to topple the court’s four-to-three liberal majority. The $20 million and counting from Musk and groups tied to him comes as Tesla is suing Wisconsin over its law prohibiting vehicle manufacturers from selling cars directly to consumers. The case is now before a court in Milwaukee County, but it could proceed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the coming months.

Elections

Canada: “Canada’s Carney Calls Snap Election as Trump Looms Over Campaign” by Amanda Coletta (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Ousted Official Used City Cash for Son’s UCLA Tuition, Probe Finds” by Gabe Greschler, Noah Baustin, Jonah Owen Lamb, and David Sijostedt for San Francisco Standard

National: “Health Benefits Company Co-Founded by Dr. Oz Could Be a Conflict of Interest” by Lauren Weber and Caitlin Gilbert (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “‘This Is Not Your Grandmother’s Easter Egg Roll’: White House seeks corporate sponsorships for Easter event” by Betsy Kline (CNN) for MSN

Kentucky: “Democrat Grimes, Former Kentucky Secretary of State, Wins Appeal in Ethics Case” by Jack Brammer (Kentucky Lantern) for Yahoo News

Minnesota: “Minnesota State Senator Resigns After He Was Charged with Soliciting a Minor for Prostitution” by Steve Karnowski (Associated Press) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Montana: “‘Buckle Up’: In Montana, Republican lawmakers target the judiciary” by David Chen (New York Times) for DNyuz

Redistricting

Louisiana: “Supreme Court Presses Louisiana on Use of Race During 2022 Redistricting” by John Fritze (CNN) for MSN

Both the state House and Senate have approved redistricting plans. The new plan splits several districts in half and pushes several current representatives and senators out of their district. In total, the redistricting changes will cause 15 special elections, 10 in the House and five in the Senate. The schedule for the elections includes a primary election August and a general election in November. The exact dates of the special election will be forthcoming in the affected districts.

National/Federal

How Redistricting Helped Republicans Win the House

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti and Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 1/26/2025

Competition is an endangered species in legislative elections. A New York Times analysis of the nearly 6,000 congressional and state legislative elections in November shows just how few races were true races. Nearly all were dominated by an incumbent or played out in a district drawn to favor one party overwhelmingly. The result was a blizzard of blowouts, even in a country that is narrowly divided on politics. Roughly 90 percent of races are now decided not by general-election voters in November but by the partisans who tend to vote in primaries.

Denmark and Other Nations Under Pressure Seek Lobbyists with Trump Ties

DNyuz – Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) | Published: 1/27/2025

The government of Denmark has not historically been a big spender on Washington lobbying. But days before Donald Trump took office for a second time, Denmark’s embassy started shopping for a lobbyist with ties to the new president, who has proclaimed his intention to try to take over the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. The Danes are not alone. A number of countries that would be affected by Trump’s threatened acquisitions, tariffs, aid reductions, or deportations have been urgently seeking help on K Street to navigate his administration.

Powerless, Democrats Debate Just How Deep in the Wilderness They Are

DNyuz – Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) | Published: 1/29/2025

Democratic lawmakers, activists, and strategists across the ideological spectrum are engaged in a fierce debate over how badly damaged the 2024 election left the party’s brand, a consequential internal argument that is already shaping early efforts to rebuild. While there is none of the denialism that gripped Republicans after Donald Trump lost in 2020, Democratic leaders are in sharp disagreement over how to interpret losses that not only returned Trump to power but also put Republicans in total control of the federal government.

DOJ Fires Officials Who Worked on Jack Smith’s Trump Investigations

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2025

The Justice Department fired more than a dozen officials who worked on the special counsel team that investigated Donald Trump in two separate criminal cases, citing a lack of trust in them. The terminations are the latest example of the Trump administration reshaping the Justice Department, transferring or firing veteran career officials who the president’s allies believe would impede or interfere with their agenda.

House GOP Holds Retreat at a Trump Property, a Windfall to President’s Resort

MSN – Cleve Wootson, Jr., Paul Kane, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2025

Congressional Republicans are hashing out President Trump’s legislative agenda at the Miami-area golf resort that bears his name, offering a windfall for the once-underperforming property owned by a president who spent his first term battling criticism that he used his political position to enrich himself. Regardless of how the budget talks go, the biggest immediate beneficiary of the discussion will probably be Trump National Doral Golf Club.

Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Defense Secretary After Vance Breaks Tie

MSN – Abigail Hauslohner, Liz Goodwin, and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 1/24/2025

The Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, to become the country’s next defense secretary. The appointment of Hegseth, a Trump loyalist who has called for a “frontal assault” to rid the Pentagon of what he has said is a leftist ideology, marks a dramatic political shift in the United States’ national security policy and leadership. Hegseth secured his post in a vote of 51-50. It marks the second time in U.S. history that a vice president’s vote was necessary to confirm a Cabinet official.

Trump Defends Ousting at Least 15 Independent Inspectors General in Late-Night Purge

MSN – David Nakamura, Lisa Rein, and Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 1/25/2025

The White House removed the independent inspectors general of nearly every Cabinet-level agency in an unprecedented purge that could clear the way for Donald Trump to install loyalists in the crucial role of identifying fraud, waste, and abuse in the government. The dismissals appeared to violate federal law, which requires Congress to receive 30 days’ notice of any intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector general.

Johnson Aide Discouraged Hutchinson Subpoena Over Concerns About Lawmakers’ ‘Sexual Texts’

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 1/23/2025

An aide to House Speaker Mike Johnson advised Republican colleagues against subpoenaing former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson as part of their investigation into the Capitol riot in to prevent the release of sexually explicit texts lawmakers sent her. Johnson revived the investigation as part of an effort by Donald Trump and his allies to seek retribution against perceived political enemies, including those who investigated his role in the January 6 attack.

Elon Musk’s Business Conflicts Draw Scrutiny Amid White House Role

MSN – Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) | Published: 1/24/2025

Elon Musk criticized a private-sector partnership touted by the Trump administration to hasten the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure. What was left unsaid was that Musk’s artificial intelligence business, xAI, is directly challenging OpenAI for the lead in the race to transform society with the technology. The debate reflects the inherent conflict in the highly unusual arrangement of having the world’s foremost business leader, and its richest person, actively working in the White House without having stepped aside from his business roles.

Former Senator Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison in Corruption Case

MSN – Salvador Rizzo and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2025

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison following his conviction on bribery and corruption charges. A jury found Menendez took bribes from three New Jersey businesspeople who sought his help quashing criminal investigations and securing lucrative deals with officials from Egypt and Qatar. The bribes totaled nearly $1 million, and included cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz. Menendez is the first public official in the United States to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent.

Trump’s Perceived Enemies Brace for Retribution with Plans, Dark Humor

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Sarah Ellison, Patrick Marley, and Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2025

Around the nation, those who have crossed Donald Trump are readying themselves, their families, and their colleagues for the retribution that the president and his allies have pledged will come. Those who fear they could be targeted include election officials, prosecutors, current and former elected officials, democracy advocates, people who worked in Trump’s first administration, and those who appeared on a list of perceived enemies. They are bracing for criminal investigations, tax audits, congressional or state legislative scrutiny, arrests, online harassment, and physical threats.

Meta Will Pay $25 Million to Settle Trump Lawsuit Alleging Censorship

MSN – Naomi Nix and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2025

Meta agreed to pay $25 million to resolve a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump alleging the company’s suspension of his social media accounts after the attack on the U.S. Capitol amounted to an act of censorship. The settlement is a major concession by Meta, which for years has maintained its right to determine which posts and accounts should be allowed to remain on its social networks.

Trump White House Rescinds Order Freezing Federal Spending, Reversing Course

MSN – Jeff Stein and Tony Romm (Washington Post) | Published: 1/29/2025

The White House budget office rescinded an order freezing federal grants after the administration’s move to halt spending provoked a backlash. The order freezing grants caused mass chaos and confusion across Washington, appearing to imperil government programs that fund schools, provide housing, and ensure that low-income Americans have access to health care.

Navajo Nation Leaders Raise Alarm Over Reports of Indigenous People Being Questioned and Detained During Immigration Sweeps

Yahoo News – Alaa Elassar (CNN) | Published: 1/27/2025

At least 15 Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have reported being stopped at their homes and workplaces, questioned or detained by federal law enforcement, and asked to produce proof of citizenship during immigration raids, according to Navajo Nation officials. The reports, which have caused panic amongst tribal communities in both states, come amid the Trump administration’s attempt to ramp up undocumented immigrant arrests nationwide and amass a larger force to carry out the president’s deportation pledge.

DOJ Moves to Drop Prosecution of Former Trump Co-Defendants in Classified Documents Case

Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein and Kyke Cheney (Politico) | Published: 1/29/2025

The Justice Department moved to drop its effort to prosecute Donald Trump’s former co-defendants in special counsel Jack Smith’s classified documents case. Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira were accused of helping Trump obstruct the investigation into classified documents stored at Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s first term. Smith charged them with obstructing justice and making false statements. If the appeals court grants the government’s request, it will end the last remnant of the federal criminal prosecutions against Trump.

From the States and Municipalities

California – ‘Pay-to-Play’ Claim Shakes Sonoma County’s $114 Million Real Estate Plans

Santa Rosa Press Democrat – Emma Murphy | Published: 1/29/2025

Sonoma County largest public employee labor union has come out swinging against a set of proposed county office acquisitions totaling $114 million and its attack, including allegations of pay-to-play politics involving at least one elected county supervisor, have derailed at least temporarily the deals’ advance. The Service Employees International Union Local 1021 alleges. Supervisor David Rabbitt improperly participated in closed-session discussions about the properties in question after receiving a campaign contribution from the agent of one of the brokerage firms involved in the deals.

California – Sacramento Has Contracts of Over $1 Million with Leader Accused of Bribery in Mayor’s Race

Yahoo News – Joe Rubin (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 1/29/2025

In December, runner-up mayoral candidate Flojaune Cofer introduced intrigue at a Sacramento City Council meeting, commenting publicly to oppose extending City Manager Howard Chan’s contract a year. “In late September, I was told that I would be given a campaign contribution in exchange for agreeing to extend the city manager’s contract by one year,” Carter said. The alleged bribe involved Jay King, the president of the California Black Chamber of Commerce, and developer Paul Petrovich.

Colorado – Democratic Lawmakers Seek to Expand Ethics Commission Jurisdiction to Colorado School Boards, Special Districts

Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 1/29/2025

Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are on their fourth attempt to expand the jurisdiction of the state’s independent ethics commission. House Bill 1079 would add school board members and their direct hires for 178 school districts, such as superintendents and boards of the state’s more than 3,000 special districts and their direct hires, to the jurisdiction of the ethics commission.

District of Columbia – Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Launches Probe of Jan. 6 Prosecutions

MSN – Spencer Hsu, Keith Alexander, and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 1/27/2025

Edward Martin Jr., interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., asked two top prosecutors in his office to undertake an internal review of its handling of Capitol riot prosecutions, a move that follows a White House executive order to the Justice Department and intelligence agencies to hunt for political bias in their ranks. Martin’s move to carry out the review is likely to stoke criticism from Democrats that he is helping the Trump administration sow discord in the office, divert prosecutorial resources. and punish prosecutors making reasonable legal judgments.

District of Columbia – D.C. Council Member Trayon White Denies Wrongdoing Ahead of Expulsion Vote

MSN – Jenny Gathright and Meagan Flynn (Washington Post) | Published: 1/28/2025

An attorney for District of Columbia Councilperson Trayon White Sr. offered the lawmaker’s first extended public response to the council’s looming expulsion of him, arguing during a council proceeding that the legislative body’s disciplinary process violated his client’s rights. The council, however, appears poised to expel White through a final vote. White is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for promising to influence contracts at city government agencies.

Georgia – Georgia Asks Federal Appeals Court to Tighten Voting Rights Act

MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 1/23/2025

Georgia is seeking another U.S. Supreme Court showdown over the Voting Rights Act, asking a federal appeals court to interpret the law in a way that could make it much harder to prove minority votes have been illegally diluted. A lawyer for the state asked a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court that required lawmakers to draw more Black-majority electoral districts.

Illinois – Brandon Johnson’s Campaign Gives Back Most of a $50,000 Contribution from Fund Run by a City Hall Lobbyist

Chicago Sun Times – Robert Herguth and Mitchell Armentrout | Published: 1/24/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign returned most of a $50,000 contribution it accepted from a PAC led by a City Hall lobbyist whose law firm has a city contract to collect outstanding utility bills. City ethics rules bar campaign donations to a mayor by city lobbyists and city contractors. The Friends of Brandon Johnson campaign fund appears to have repeatedly violated those restrictions since Johnson took office in May 2023, prompting tens of thousands of dollars in refunds.

Illinois – OIG Report Finds Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Office Improperly Blocked Access to Gift Room with Gucci Bags, Other Designer Items

MSN – Alice Yin (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/29/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office improperly blocked public access to a City Hall room where they said they store Gucci bags, designer cufflinks, and other gifts. City Inspector General Deborah Witzburg found Johnson’s office violated the ethics policy that requires mayors to record gifts above $50 and “accepted on behalf of the City” in a publicly available log maintained on the fifth floor of City Hall. Covert investigators visited the mayor’s office last June but were denied access to the log.

Louisiana – Louisiana Environmental Activist Loses Freedom of Speech Lawsuit Against Parish Officials

MSN – Jack Brook (Associated Press) | Published: 1/29/2025

Louisiana parish officials who threatened to arrest and imprison an environmental activist as she attempted to speak during a public meeting did not violate her right to freedom of speech, a civil jury ruled. Joy Banner had sought more than $2 million in damages from two St. John the Baptist parish officials, President Jaclyn Hotard and Councilperson Michael Wright, who she said blocked her from raising allegations of corruption tied to industrial development at a public meeting.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Water Employee Faces $6,000 Fine After Accepting Free Ski Trips

MSN – Rick Sobey (Boston Herald) | Published: 1/29/2025

Another local water employee in Massachusetts is facing a $6,000 fine from the state after accepting free ski trips from a water meter manufacturer and distributor. The State Ethics Commission ruled Auburn Water District Foreman Scott Callahan violated the conflict-of-interest law by accepting two free ski trips from the manufacturer and its distributor.

Mississippi – US Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Mississippi Lifetime Ban on Voting by Felons

Yahoo News – Andrew Chung (Reuters) | Published: 1/27/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Mississippi’s lifetime ban on voting by people convicted of a wide range of felonies, a policy adopted in 1890 during the Jim Crow era that stands as one of the toughest such restrictions in the nation. The justices turned away an appeal of a lower court’s decision rejecting a lawsuit that claimed the ban violates the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment promise of equal protection and Eighth Amendment bar on cruel and unusual punishments.

Montana – Montana Senate Convening Ethics Committee to Investigate its Former President

Montana Free Press – Tom Lutey | Published: 1/27/2025

The Montana Senate will conduct an ethics investigation into a $170,100 government contract brokered by former Senate President Jason Ellsworth with his business associate. Department of Administration (DOA) Director Misty Ann Giles acknowledged the Ellsworth contract violated state law, but the DOA saw the deal through, nonetheless. The investigation concluded Ellsworth’s actions with state funds were both wasteful and abusive.

Nebraska – Scott Danigole Is Next Head of Nebraska Campaign Finance Agency NADC

Yahoo News – Paul Hammel (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 1/27/2025

Scott Danigole was selected as the next executive director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Danigole, who has served as a fiscal analyst for the state Legislature for the past 27 years, said he sought the position to continue to serve the state and due to a commitment to ensure “doing the right thing.”

New Jersey – Bill Spadea Has Improperly Benefited from Radio Show, Rival Claims in Governor’s Race Row

Yahoo News – Nikita Biryukov (New Jersey Monitor) | Published: 1/28/2025

Attorneys for gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli called on New Jersey’s campaign finance watchdog to withhold matching funds from rival Bill Spadea, arguing Spadea’s campaign has improperly reaped benefits from his morning radio show. The complaint revives protests made months ago that claimed Spadea’s daily presence on New Jersey 101.5 amounted to in-kind contributions from the station’s owner worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in violation of contribution limits and other rules on New Jersey’s gubernatorial public financing program.

New Mexico – Lawmakers, Ethics Commission Want More Lobbying Information Disclosed to Public

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 1/24/2025

In New Mexico, some lobbyists report political contributions, but there is no record of what company may have provided that money. Some lobbyists report thousands of dollars spent on meals with lawmakers, but no information about which lawmakers enjoyed those meals, or which of their clients paid for the food. Even for those in office, or for journalists, knowing who the lobbyists are, who is paying for the campaign donations they make, or the meals they buy, or what legislation they are trying to pass or kill, can be challenging.

New York – Justice Dept. Is Said to Discuss Dropping Case Against Eric Adams

DNyuz – Maggie Haberman, William Rashbaum, Devlin Barrett, and Jonah Bromwich (New York Times) | Published: 1/29/2025

Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams. Trump has the power to pardon Adams, who as New York City’s mayor could aid his plans for mass deportations. If prosecutors were to dismiss the case entirely, it could allow Adams to insist on his innocence to voters as he seeks another term as mayor, while allowing Trump to avoid the appearance of a pardon that many might view as unwarranted.

New York – NYC Council Votes to Expand Lobbying Ban on Ex-City Hall Officials Amid ‘Revolving Door’ Concerns

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 1/23/2025

Senior New York City Hall officials, like deputy mayors and chiefs of staff, are barred from lobbying the mayor’s office for a year after leaving public service. They can lobby other city agencies besides the mayor’s office immediately upon departing under existing regulations. A new bill passed by the city council would beef up the law so ex-senior City Hall officials could not lobby any city agencies for two years after departing. It would also subject multiple positions to the ban that are not covered now.

New York – Prominent New York Lobbying Firm Racks Up Fines

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 1/23/2025

Over four years, a prominent New York lobbying firm, Patrick B. Jenkins and Associates, missed disclosure deadlines more than 230 times and paid more than $123,000 in late fees. Every two months, lobbying firms must file reports that provide insight into each public official and the issues they are seeking to influence on behalf of each of their clients. If filings are submitted late, the public cannot access this information in a timely manner.

North Dakota – Voter Registration, Campaign Finance Reporting Debated by North Dakota Lawmakers

Yahoo News – Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/27/2025

The latest bill to require voter registration in North Dakota met strong opposition. North Dakota is the only state in the country without voter registration. Instead, voters must provide valid identification at the polls or when they request a mail-in ballot. Lawmakers also debated House Bill 1286, which is meant to address the use of dark money. The bill proposes a complex system for reporting contributions to political committees, campaigns, and ballot measures, and for investigating possible violations.

Ohio – Panel Suspends East Cleveland Mayor from Office

MSN – Cliff Pinckard (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/29/2025

A panel of three retired judges decided to suspend from office East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King, who currently is facing public corruption charges. King is accused of using more than $75,000 in city money to pay companies he or his relatives owned and giving a city-owned car and gas card to a former council member.

Oregon – Oregon Government Ethics Commission Will Probe Kotek’s Spending on Parking, Dinner

Yahoo News – Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/24/2025

Members of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to investigate Gov. Tina Kotek’s reported spending on parking, concert tickets, and an employee recognition buffet. Auditors flagged the spending which they described as “minor” and “unintentional” apparent violations of state ethics law, earlier in January. The ethics commission discussed the findings and concluded it did not have enough information to decide how to move forward. But commission Chairperson David Fiskum said they needed “not to do nothing.”

Oregon – Ethics Commission Faults Oregon Rep. Greg Smith for Not Naming Clients

Yahoo News – Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/24/2025

Oregon’s government ethics watchdog dinged a state representative for failing to follow a law he voted for that requires government officials to disclose some sources of business income. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously to move ahead with an investigation into Rep. Greg Smith. Last year was the first that officials had to disclose some sources of income for businesses they own.

Texas – Texas Lawmakers Race Against Fundraising Blackout to Fill Campaign Coffers

MSN – Karen Brooks Harper and Nolan McCaskill (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 1/23/2025

December 14 was the last day to raise campaign money for the legislative session that began Texas recently, and the state’s 181 lawmakers raised a combined $13 million in two weeks, a number that jumps closer to $17 million when fundraising by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, is added. The fundraising in the two weeks preceding the session moratorium awes even the most veteran of political insiders, particularly as the skyrocketing cost of running a campaign requires officials to raise ever more money.

Utah – Here’s the Loophole Allowing Utah Lawmakers to Become Lobbyists Without ‘Cooling Off’

Salt Lake Tribune – Robert Gehrke | Published: 1/23/2025

Days after wrapping up a 24-year career in the Utah Senate, Curt Bramble filed to lobby the state Legislature, despite a law intended to prevent legislators from becoming “revolving-door” lobbyists. Bramble said there is a provision in the law that allows him to represent clients through his accounting and business consulting firm. “If lobbying or government relations isn’t your primary business then there’s an exception,” Bramble said.

West Virginia – Head of West Virginia Gun Lobby Appointed to Replace Lawmaker-Elect Arrested for Making Threats

MSN – Leah Willingham (Associated Press) | Published: 1/23/2025

The president of West Virginia’s largest gun-lobbying group was appointed to fill the seat of a lawmaker-elect who was ousted while confined to his house on charges related to terroristic threats against his colleagues. Ian Masters, president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, was appointed to take over the vacated seat of Joseph de Soto.

Elections

Mississippi: “US Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Mississippi Lifetime Ban on Voting by Felons” by Andrew Chung (Reuters) for Yahoo News

North Dakota: “Voter Registration, Campaign Finance Reporting Debated by North Dakota Lawmakers” by Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Trump Defends Ousting at Least 15 Independent Inspectors General in Late-Night Purge” by David Nakamura, Lisa Rein, and Matt Viser (Washington Post) for MSN

Oregon: “Ethics Commission Faults Oregon Rep. Greg Smith for Not Naming Clients” by Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News

Legislative Issues

National: “Pete Hegseth Confirmed as Defense Secretary After Vance Breaks Tie” by Abigail Hauslohner, Liz Goodwin, and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Denmark and Other Nations Under Pressure Seek Lobbyists with Trump Ties” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for DNyuz

New York: “Prominent New York Lobbying Firm Racks Up Fines” by Chris Bragg for New York Focus

Redistricting

National: “How Redistricting Helped Republicans Win the House” by Nick Corasaniti and Michael Wines (New York Times) for DNyuz

Campaign Finance

Texas: “Texas Lawmakers Race Against Fundraising Blackout to Fill Campaign Coffers” by Karen Brooks Harper and Nolan McCaskill (Dallas Morning News) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Johnson Aide Discouraged Hutchinson Subpoena Over Concerns About Lawmakers’ ‘Sexual Texts'” by Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Elon Musk’s Business Conflicts Draw Scrutiny Amid White House Role” by Faiz Siddiqui (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

West Virginia: “Head of West Virginia Gun Lobby Appointed to Replace Lawmaker-Elect Arrested for Making Threats” by Leah Willingham (Associated Press) for MSN

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lawmakers, Ethics Commission Want More Lobbying Information Disclosed to Public” by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth

New York: “NYC Council Votes to Expand Lobbying Ban on Ex-City Hall Officials Amid ‘Revolving Door’ Concerns” by Chris Sommerfeldt and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) for MSN

Utah: “Here’s the Loophole Allowing Utah Lawmakers to Become Lobbyists Without ‘Cooling Off'” by Robert Gehrke for Salt Lake Tribune

Redistricting

Georgia: “Georgia Asks Federal Appeals Court to Tighten Voting Rights Act” by Jeff Amy (Associated Press) 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

Maine: “Mainers Vote to Reform Campaign Finance, Open Path for Supreme Court to Weigh In” by Emma Davis for Maine Morning Star

Elections

Delaware: “Sarah McBride Wins Delaware Congressional Seat, Becomes First Transgender Rep in US History” by Xerxes Wilson (Delaware News Journal) for MSN

National: “Republicans Take Back Senate Control” by Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “States Projected to Approve Measures Restricting Noncitizens from Voting” by Patrick Marley, Praveena Somasundaram, and Nick Miroff (Washington Post) for MSN

Texas: “U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar Secures Another Term as Criminal Trial Looms” by Matthew Choi (Texas Tribune) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “Measure OO: Effort to beef up Oakland’s public ethics commission leads comfortably” by Kiley Russell (Bay City News Service) for Local News Matters

Louisiana: “Louisiana Ethics Board Tells State Racing Commission Director He Can Still Own Racehorses – for Now” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

National: “Trump’s Win Is a Huge Legal Victory, too. His Trials Will Mostly Vanish.” by Shayna Jacobs, Perry Stein, Holly Bailey, and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) for MSN

Redistricting

Ohio: “Issue 1 Fails Big in Ohio Despite Massive Money Advantage” by Jessie Balmert and Laura Bischoff (Columbus Dispatch) for MSN

Campaign Finance

California: “Mark Farrell Agrees to $108K Ethics Penalty – Largest in S.F. History” by Jose Rivano Barrs and Kelly Waldron for Mission Local

Nevada: “Nevada Politicians Can Spend Donor Cash Outside the Campaign” by Eli Segall for Las Vegas Review-Journal

New Mexico: “Federal Judge Halts ‘De Facto’ Ban on Use of Campaign Funds; State Senator Ortiz y Pino Donated $200 for Student Workshop” by Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) for Yahoo News

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Judge Denies Attempt to Stop Musk’s $1 Million Voter Giveaways” by Trisha Thadani and Annabelle Timsit (Washington Post) for MSN

Elections

National: “What’s in Your TikTok Feed? As Elections Near, It May Depend on Gender.” by Jeremy Merrill, Cristano Lima-Strong, and Caitlin Gilbert (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

New York: “NYC Mayor Eric Adams Gets April 2025 Trial Date as His Lawyers Fight to Get Bribery Charge Tossed” by Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) for MSN

Lobbying

Massachusetts: “MassLandlords Sues Boston, Says City Withheld Public Records to Protect Mayor Wu, Hide Unlawful Rent Control Lobbying” by Gayla Cawley (Boston Herald) for MSN

Redistricting

Louisiana: “Supreme Court Will Hear Louisiana Map Case That Could Impact Black Voters” by Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) for MSN

National/Federal

They’ve Made Hats for McCain and Trump. And Obama and Harris.

DNyuz – Charles McFarlane (New York Times) | Published: 9/30/2024

For more than three decades, Unionwear has been responsible for the merchandise of major presidential campaigns on both sides of the aisle, including for both the McCain and Obama campaigns in 2008 and for Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, when the former president introduced the original MAGA hat. Unionwear started making political hats during the 1996 Clinton campaign, it was the 2000 Gore campaign that started to put merchandise – and, by extension, where it was made – center stage.

Vance, Walz Square Off in What Could Be Final Meeting of Presidential Campaigns

MSN – Tyler Pager, Michael Scherer, and Cleve Wootson Jr. (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2024

Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz shook hands twice before the only vice-presidential debate of the cycle, exchanging smiles before repeatedly paying each other respect as they launched sustained and biting attacks on each other’s running mates. In marked contrast to the September presidential debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who hardly concealed their disgust with each other, the running mates often went out of their way to be gracious, while focusing more on policy differences than personal slights.

Political Bettors Hit the Jackpot as Court Clears Election Markets for Comeback

MSN – Declan Harty (Politico) | Published: 10/2/2024

Political gambling is back on, less than five weeks before Election Day. A federal appeals court cleared the way for financial exchange startup Kalshi to revive the first fully regulated election-betting markets in the U.S. Now, Kalshi will be able once again to offer trading on whether Republicans or Democrats will control Congress next year, and possibly more.

As Rioters Stormed Capitol with Pence Inside, Trump Allegedly Said ‘So What?’

MSN – Spencer Hsu, Josh Dawsey, Tom Jackman, and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2024

A new filing from special counsel Jack Smith offers a searing portrayal of Donald Trump after the 2020 election. It describes in more extensive detail than before how many people – including Vice President Mike Pence, party and state leaders, his own campaign lawyers, and others – told Trump there was no proof the election was stolen, and how Trump nonetheless waged a campaign to overturn the result. The indictment in the case alleges he conspired to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election by using knowingly false claims about fraud to obstruct the government’s processes for collecting, counting, and certifying the vote.

As Election Threats Rise, Justice Dept. Says Its Options Are Limited

MSN – David Nakamura and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/3/2024

The Justice Department is expanding efforts to address the possibility of intimidation and violence around the November elections by conducting training seminars for local officials, setting up regional and national command posts, and investigating scores of allegations. But it is bringing criminal charges in a small number of cases, and each of those takes a long time to prosecute.

When Nonprofits and Others Pay for House Members’ Global Travel, Families Often Go, Too

MSN – Philip Randazzo, Haiyi Bi, and Akanksha Goyal (Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland) | Published: 9/26/2024

Over the past decade, members of Congress have traveled the country and the world on official business paid for by private interest groups, accepting nearly $4.3 million for airfare, lodging, meals, and other expenses. Almost one-third of those payments, just over $1.4 million, covered the costs for a lawmaker’s relative to join the trip. Critics maintain the trips – paid for by nearly 200 advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and liberal and conservative think tanks – are no more than “influence-peddling vacations.”

Justice Dept. Charges Three Men in Alleged Iran Hack of Trump Campaign

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 9/29/2024

The Justice Department charged three men with carrying out Iran’s alleged hack-and-leak attack against Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, describing a far-reaching effort to steal data from current and former government officials and to sow distrust in the presidential election. Attorney General Merrick Garland warned that Iran was just one of several foreign countries trying to wreak havoc in a presidential election year. He also called out Russia and China for repeatedly trying to interfere with U.S. politics and elections through hacking, disinformation, and surreptitious influence campaigns.

Russia-Paid Influencers, Trolls Step Up Efforts to Influence U.S. Election

MSN – Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 10/1/2024

Russia’s attempts to influence the 2024 election in favor of Donald Trump are accelerating, federal officials and researchers say, adding to a sea of misinformation about immigration and Vice President Kamala Harris, despite U.S. efforts to blunt the onslaught with indictments, seizures, and public warnings. Clint Watts, who heads Microsoft’s efforts against government disinformation, said Russian trolls have moved to new websites to host bogus news stories, and such influence efforts might work better now than before, simply because the presidential contest is heating up.

Trump Allies Bombard the Courts, Setting Stage for Post-Election Fight

Seattle Times – Nick Corasaniti, Danny Hakim, and Alexandra Berzon (New York Times) | Published: 9/29/2024

Republicans have unleashed a flurry of lawsuits challenging voting rules and practices ahead of the November elections, setting the stage for what could be a far larger and more contentious legal battle over the White House after Election Day. The onslaught of litigation includes nearly 90 lawsuits filed across the country by GOP groups this year. Voting rights experts say the legal campaign appears to be an effort to prepare to contest the results of the presidential election after Election Day should Donald Trump lose and refuse to accept his defeat.

Voting Technology Firm, Conservative Outlet Reach Settlement in 2020 Election Defamation Case

Yahoo News – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 9/26/2024

A settlement was reached in a defamation lawsuit brought by electronic voting machine manufacturer Smartmatic against conservative news outlet Newsmax for airing accusations about vote manipulation in the 2020 election made by allies of Donald Trump. Smartmatic claimed Newsmax program hosts and guests made false and defamatory statements implying Smartmatic participated in rigging the results and its software was used to switch votes.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Number of Arizona Voters Missing Citizenship Proof Doubles

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2024

A failure to document the citizenship status of Arizona voters is now estimated to affect as many as 218,000 people, more than double what state election officials initially said after discovering the mistake in September. State election officials have previously said the number of affected voters could change as they investigate the scope of the 20-year-old problem, which began as part of an effort to implement a Republican-led state law intended to prevent rare instances of voting by noncitizens.

California – New Law Closes Campaign Finance Loophole Exploited by Convicted Ex-Anaheim Mayor

Los Angeles Times – Gabriel San Román | Published: 10/1/2024

California politicians convicted of a crime will no longer be able to use campaign funds to cover legal expenses. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2803 into law, which closes a campaign finance loophole that former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu used last year to pay his criminal defense attorney amid an FBI corruption probe. Sidhu eventually pleaded guilty to four felonies, including charges connected to the attempted sale of Angel Stadium.

California – Judge Blocks California Deepfakes Law That Sparked Musk-Newsom Row

MSN – Tyler Katzenberger (Politico) | Published: 10/2/2024

A federal judge blocked a California law restricting the use of digitally altered political “deepfakes” just two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law. Chris Kohls, known as “Mr Reagan” on X, sued to prevent the state from enforcing the law after posting an Artificial Intelligence generated video of a Kamala Harris campaign ad on the social media site. He claimed the video was protected by the First Amendment because it was a parody.

California – Irvine Officials Backtrack Approving New Lobbying Rules

Voice of OC – Angela Hicks | Published: 9/30/2024

The Irvine City Council is making more changes to their lobbying rules after resident concerns about unintended consequences on union members and a possible lawsuit. The council originally approved updates to the city’s lobbying ordinance on September 10. The changes would require more people to register as lobbyists more often and publicly disclose their activities to the city, but a second vote was required to officially adopt the changes. The second vote was scheduled for September 24, but the council was met with concerned public speakers and a letter from a law firm alleging Brown Act violations and threatening to sue.

District of Columbia – Rudy Giuliani Disbarred in D.C. for His Role in 2020 Election Subversion

MSN – Keith Alexander (Washington Post) | Published: 9/26/2024

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals revoked Rudy Giuliani’s ability to practice law in the city after an attorney discipline board found the former personal attorney for Donald Trump violated the terms of his license while challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election. The city’s law licensing oversight committee had scrutinized Giuliani’s conduct, focusing on claims he made about the election in a lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania that the committee called “utterly false” and “recklessly so.”

District of Columbia – Nonprofit in Trayon White Bribery Case Got Millions in D.C. Contracts

MSN – Paul Schwartzman, Meagan Flynn, Spencer Hsu, Jenny Gathright, and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2024

The FBI informant who allegedly bribed District of Columbia Councilperson Trayon White Sr. operated a nonprofit that was awarded millions in city contracts even after it committed an error serious enough that officials nearly barred it from government work. The nonprofit, Life Deeds, is at the center of the federal investigation into White, who prosecutors allege took $35,000 this summer in exchange for his promise to pressure city officials into awarding the contractor additional work.

Florida – Ex-Congressional Candidate Charged with Threatening ‘Hit Squad’ Against Opponent

MSN – Jiselle Lee (Washington Post) | Published: 10/1/2024

A former congressional candidate in Florida was charged after allegedly threatening to send “the Russian mafia” after his opponent. William Braddock III was charged in federal court with threatening now-U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. In a June 2021 phone call, Braddock told an acquaintance of Luna’s, Erin Olszewski, that if he were not ahead in a soon-to-be-released poll, he would have to “sacrifice” his opponent, according to the charging documents.

Florida – Staff Donations Draw Fire in Tampa’s Prosecutor Race. But It’s Legal – and Customary.

MSN – Dan Sullivan (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 10/3/2024

A top assistant for Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez sent a text last year to several senior prosecutors asking them to donate to their boss’s election campaign. While noting the contribution did not need to be the $1,000 maximum, she advised them to “make the donation sooner rather than later.” Employee donations to a supervisor’s campaign are not illegal and they occur in many campaigns. While they are legal and common, they still raise ethical qualms, said Darryl Paulson, a professor emeritus of government at the University of South Florida.

Florida – Former State Senator Artiles Found Guilty of Campaign Finance and Registration Violations

Yahoo News – Charles Rabin (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/30/2024

A jury convicted former state Sen. Frank Artiles of three of four charges in a scheme to help Republicans capture a Florida Senate seat in 2020. Artiles was accused of offering $50,000 to Alex Rodriguez, a so-called ghost candidate, to run for the seat in 2020 and cause the Democratic incumbent to lose by siphoning votes in the close race. Alex Rodriguez received more than 6,000 votes. The incumbent, Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez, lost by 32 votes in a recount.

Georgia – Democrats Take Legal Action Against Georgia Election Board

MSN – Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 9/25/2024

Democrats asked a court to force Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to take up their ethics complaints accusing three members of the State Election Board of holding an illegal meeting and overstepping their legal authority by passing rules that critics say will sow chaos and uncertainty in the presidential race. The petition says Kemp is required to hold hearings on the matters and to remove the board members if he finds they violated state law.

Illinois – With Jury Deadlock Ending La Schiazza Trial, Prosecutors in Looming Madigan Case Face Clear Challenge

MSN – Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/20/2024

Former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder’s fight to overturn his own bribery case ended with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that raised the bar for prosecutors in a number of Illinois public corruption cases. Now, all eyes turn to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s trial on racketeering charges, which could pose similar problems for prosecutors, particularly on several counts where they now must prove there was an agreement with Madigan ahead of time to exchange something of value for an official act.

Louisiana – Randy Farrell Indicted on Federal Charges That Directly Implicate Mayor Cantrell in a Criminal Conspiracy

WWL – David Hammer | Published: 9/30/2024

Businessperson Randy Farrell is accused of bribing a New Orleans public official, believed to be Mayor LaToya Cantrell, in exchange for a city employee being fired after that employee uncovered an alleged kickback scheme through the Department of Safety and Permits. The indictment alleges Farrell bought Cantrell tickets to the NFC Championship game in 2019, lunch at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and a new iPhone, gifts that totaled more than $9,200. Prosecutors say the mayor had a city official fired who had been investigating Farrell for alleged wrongdoing.

Massachusetts – ‘Hamilton’ Tickets Donated to Boston Public School Students Went to Admins’ Sons

MLive – Will Katcher | Published: 10/1/2024

A pair of Boston Public School administrators took their sons to the hit musical “Hamilton” using tickets donated for students to attend the show. Natasha Halfkenny, the former principal of the Tobin School, and the school’s assistant principal, Coreen Miranda, each paid a $4,000 civil penalty for violating the state’s conflict-of-interest law.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Deputy Sheriff Fired, Fined After Auctioning Home to His Wife Who Sold It for $300K-Plus

MSN – Rick Sobey (Boston Herald) | Published: 9/27/2024

A fired deputy sheriff paid $65,000 for an ethics violation after the state found out he auctioned a seized home to his wife, which she later renovated with his help and sold at a massive profit. Ex-Bristol County Deputy Sheriff Floyd Teague paid a $40,000 civil penalty and $25,000 in economic advantage damages for violating the conflict-of-interest law, according to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.

Massachusetts – Boston Mayor Wu Fundraiser Invite ‘Mistake’ Raises Campaign Finance Law Violation Questions

MSN – Gayla Cawley (Boston Herald) | Published: 10/2/2024

An invitation to a fundraiser for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu listed a public employee as a member of the host committee, an apparent violation of state law, but Wu’s campaign said it did nothing wrong and the name was listed mistakenly. A similar mistake prompted former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to cancel and later reschedule a 2021 fundraiser.

Michigan – Michigan Bill Aims to Crack Down on Dark Money

The Center Square – Thérèse Boudreaux | Published: 9/26/2024

The Michigan House passed legislation that would make campaign finance violations easier to address as they happen, part of a larger package of bills to improve accountability and transparency in state government. House Bill 5583 would amend the Campaign Finance Act to allow the secretary of state to seek immediate court injunctions against campaign finance violations, rather than go through the current months-long court process.

New Hampshire – New Hampshire Will Start the New Year with a New Ethics Law. Here’s What’s Inside.

New Hampshire Bulletin – Ethan DeWitt | Published: 9/30/2024

House Bill 1388 in New Hampshire will require lawmakers to abstain from participating in votes and discussions on bills that might affect them or members of their household financially. The law will take effect January 1, just before a newly elected Legislature is sworn in. It also stops a lawmaker from voting on bills if they or a household member works for an organization that lobbies for those bills.

New York – Mayor Adams Could Owe Millions in Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Cash – or Get Millions More

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 10/1/2024

Candidates on New York City seeking taxpayer-funded matching dollars for their 2025 campaigns must submit fundraising statements to the Campaign Finance Board by October 11. The board will decide who gets the first round of public matching funds in December. If Mayor Eric Adams qualifies, his campaign could collect almost $4 million in taxpayer dollars. An indictment charges Adams with accepting illegal campaign contributions in exchange for gifts and official government acts. The charges he faces come with a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison. Separately, they could deliver seismic blows to his 2025 campaign.

New York – Treasurer for Brooklyn Boro Prez Candidate Anthony Jones Charged in Straw Donor Scheme

MSN – John Annese (New York Daily News) | Published: 10/2/2024

Erlene King, the treasurer for unsuccessful Brooklyn borough president candidate Anthony Jones, faces federal charges for a failed straw donor scheme to trick the city Campaign Finance Board out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. King is accused of trying to take advantage of the city’s Matching campaign funds programs by submitting to Jones’ campaign $25,000 in straw donations, along with five corresponding “fictitious records,” in the hopes of getting $400,000 in matching funds. The Campaign Finance Board noticed something fishy and denied the matching funds.

New York – Top Aide to Eric Adams Forced Out Amid Sprawling Corruption Probes

MSN – Sally Goldenberg, Joe Anuta, and Jeff Coltin (Politico) | Published: 9/30/2024

Timothy Pearson, one of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ most trusted aides, resigned as senior advisor for public safety after federal agents seized his cell phone in a mushrooming investigation into the mayor’s inner circle. It has been reported that Pearson pushed the fire department to sign a contract with a technology company, Remark Holdings, while he had a close personal relationship with a consultant for the firm.

North Carolina – Helene Sets Off a Scramble to Keep Voting on Track in North Carolina

MSN – Amy Gardner and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 10/1/2024

Hurricane Helene’s destructive path across western North Carolina threatens to upend the fall election in the key battleground, with halted mail service disrupting absentee voting, thousands of voters cut off from polling locations, and election administrators scrambling to adjust. Even as emergency response teams continued their search for survivors of the storm and airlifted food and water into remote communities, state and local election teams began the difficult task of assessing damage to election infrastructure.

North Carolina – She’s Running with All She’s Got for a Seat She Can’t Win. That’s the Point.

MSN – Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 9/30/2024

Wherever she appears in her campaign for a North Carolina Senate seat, Kate Barr’s opening line is always the same: “Hi. I’m Kate Barr. And I’m your losing candidate for state Senate District 37.” Barr is trying to make a serious point about the state of American politics. In many state legislative and congressional districts across the country, aggressive gerrymandering has helped erase competitive elections, effectively guaranteeing the result and leaving voters without a real choice.

Ohio – ‘That’s Highly Illegal’: Complaints Allege Inmates Did Work for Portage Sheriff’s Campaign

MSN – Diane Smith (Ravenna Record-Courier) | Published: 9/25/2024

Two people, including a former inmate in the Portage County Jail, filed complaints alleging inmates performed work for Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski’s re-election campaign. Zuchowski has gained national attention for Facebook post that critics say amounted to voter intimidation. Zuchowski is running for a second term against Democratic challenger Jon Barber in the November 5 election.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Justice Says Democrats Want Redistricting Reform Because They ‘Can’t Win’

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/27/2024

A Republican Ohio Supreme Court justice running for his first full term said he views a proposed constitutional amendment as Democrats’ play to change the rules because they cannot win under the current system. Justice Joe Deters, who was appointed to the court by Gov. Mike DeWine, compared the redistricting reform effort in Ohio to other concepts occasionally floated by Democrats like adding new justices to the U.S. Supreme Court or letting the popular vote decide presidential elections.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Didn’t Charge Customers to Fund Bribery Scheme, State Audit Finds

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/1/2024

Of the $75 million FirstEnergy paid in lobbying costs and self-professed bribes to get a bailout, only $4.9 million came from its three utility companies in Northeast Ohio, according to a state audit. Of that sum, less than $15,000 was charged to ratepayers. All the money paid for an aggressive, sprawling lobbying strategy to pass House Bill 6 in 2019, legislation that provided nuclear plants owned by the company at the time a $1.3 billion, ratepayer-funded bailout.

Oregon – City Won’t Match Contributions Between Portland City Council Candidates for Now

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/1/2024

The city of Portland paused matching the campaign donations made between candidates and their family members following reports that a number of city council hopefuls were trading contributions as they sought to hit the threshold for the public matching funds. The primary benefit of those donations was to help each other qualify for public funding, which kicks in for city council candidates who receive at least 250 contributions from Portland residents and mayoral candidates who receive 750.

Oregon – Portland Auditor to Reconsider Whether Mayoral Candidate Rene Gonzalez’s Wikipedia Edits Broke Campaign Finance Rules

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 10/2/2024

The Portland auditor’s office plans to take another look at whether city Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who is running for mayor, broke campaign finance rules when he used public funds to spruce up his Wikipedia page. Chief Deputy Auditor Reed Brodersen said the office has received new information that prompted it to reconsider the matter.

Texas – In an Unusual Hearing, Ethics Commission Advances Complaints Against Greco and Watson to Next Phase

Austin Monitor – Amy Smith | Published: 9/26/2024

Ethics complaints against mayoral candidate Doug Greco and incumbent Austin Mayor Kirk Watson will move to a final hearing, but an anticipated court ruling could circumvent the proceedings. The Ethics Review Commission determined there was reason to believe Greco and Watson violated the city’s campaign finance ordinance by exceeding the $46,000 contribution threshold from donors who live outside Austin city limits. Greco has a lawsuit pending in federal court claiming the city’s limitations on contributions violate donors’ constitutional rights.

Texas – A Pair of Billionaire Preachers Built the Most Powerful Political Machine in Texas. That’s Just the Start.

MSN – Ava Kofman (ProPublica) | Published: 10/2/2024

Over the past decade, Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, billionaires who made their fortunes in the oil industry, have built the most powerful political machine in Texas – a network of think tanks, media organizations, PACs, and nonprofits that work in lock step to purge the state Legislature of moderate Republicans. Like the Koch brothers, the Mercer family, and other conservative billionaires, Dunn and Wilks want to slash regulations and taxes. Their endgame, however, is more radical: not just to limit the government but also to steer it toward Christian rule.

Utah – Cox Campaign Accepted $10K from Foreign Subsidiary as Appointee Reviewed Controversial Lithium Project

MSN – Emily Anderson Stern and Anastasia Hufham (Salt Lake Tribune) | Published: 9/27/2024

During a three-month period when the governor-appointed state engineer was reviewing a controversial lithium extraction application from an Australian company, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s reelection campaign accepted a $10,000 donation from the company’s U.S. subsidiary. The donation comes amid a push from state lawmakers to bar foreign entities from giving to voter-led initiatives as it seeks to enshrine control over the future of such ballot questions in the state constitution.

Campaign Finance

Michigan: “Michigan Bill Aims to Crack Down on Dark Money” by Thérèse Boudreaux for The Center Square

New York: “Eric Adams Allegedly Abused the City’s Matching Funds Program. A City Council Member Wants Him to Stop Having Access to It” by Sahalie Donaldson for City & State New York

Elections

National: “Justice Dept. Charges Three Men in Alleged Iran Hack of Trump Campaign” by Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Allies Bombard the Courts, Setting Stage for Post-Election Fight” by Nick Corasaniti, Danny Hakim, and Alexandra Berzon (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Ohio: “‘That’s Highly Illegal’: Complaints Allege Inmates Did Work for Portage Sheriff’s Campaign” by Diane Smith (Ravenna Record-Courier) for MSN

Ethics

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts Deputy Sheriff Fired, Fined After Auctioning Home to His Wife Who Sold It for $300K-Plus” by Rick Sobey (Boston Herald) for MSN

Lobbying

California: “Irvine Officials Backtrack Approving New Lobbying Rules” by Angela Hicks for Voice of OC

Redistricting

North Carolina: “She’s Running with All She’s Got for a Seat She Can’t Win. That’s the Point.” by Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Texas: “In an Unusual Hearing, Ethics Commission Advances Complaints Against Greco and Watson to Next Phase” by Amy Smith for Austin Monitor

Utah: “Cox Campaign Accepted $10K from Foreign Subsidiary as Appointee Reviewed Controversial Lithium Project” by Emily Anderson Stern and Anastasia Hufham (Salt Lake Tribune) for MSN

Elections

Georgia: “Democrats Take Legal Action Against Georgia Election Board” by Amy Gardner (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Voting Technology Firm, Conservative Outlet Reach Settlement in 2020 Election Defamation Case” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Washington DC: “Rudy Giuliani Disbarred in D.C. for His Role in 2020 Election Subversion” by Keith Alexander (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “When Nonprofits and Others Pay for House Members’ Global Travel, Families Often Go, Too” by Philip Randazzo, Haiyi Bi, and Akanksha Goyal (Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland) for MSN

Illinois: “With Jury Deadlock Ending La Schiazza Trial, Prosecutors in Looming Madigan Case Face Clear Challenge” by Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

Redistricting

Ohio: “Ohio Supreme Court Justice Says Democrats Want Redistricting Reform Because They ‘Can’t Win'” by Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

National/Federal

In New York Case, Signs of a Familiar China Playbook

DNyuz – David Pierson (New York Times) | Published: 9/16/2024

Before Linda Sun, a former senior aide in the New York governor’s office, was charged with using her position benefit the Chinese government, suspected cases of Chinese foreign meddling had been on the rise in Western democracies. The intelligence work is focused on influencing political discourse so that it leans more favorably toward China’s positions on contentious issues like the status of Taiwan. China’s attempts to interfere with Western democracies are likely to grow more acute as relations between Beijing and the West fray, said Anne-Marie Brady, a political scientist at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

How Roberts Shaped Trump’s Supreme Court Winning Streak

DNyuz – Jodi Kantor and Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 9/15/2024

In a momentous trio of January 6-related cases last term, the U.S. Supreme Court found itself more entangled in presidential politics than at any time since the 2000 election, even as it was contending with its own controversies related to that day. Chief Justice John Roberts responded by deploying his authority to steer rulings that benefited Donald Trump, according to a New York Times examination that uncovered new information about the court’s decision making.

Violent Threats and Attacks Escalate Tensions in Trump-Harris Race

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Hannah Allam (Washington Post) | Published: 9/17/2024

The 2024 election season has been repeatedly marked by extraordinary acts and threats of violence that have become a more contentious issue in the presidential race, escalating tensions in an already heated political environment and prompting heightened security measures at events with seven weeks of campaigning left to go. While the country’s history includes examples of violence upending campaigning and governance, this year’s race stands out from others in recent memory, experts said, with some long-simmering fears of violent acts breaking into the open.

The Rush to Get Close to Kamala Harris and Her Inner Circle Is On

MSN – Hailey Fuchs (Politico) | Published: 9/19/2024

Lobbyists are scrambling to figure out Kamala Harris. Lobbyists spent decades cultivating ties with President Biden’s inner circle; Harris has spent less than eight years in Washington. During her time as a U.S. senator, Harris’ office was seen as either ambivalent to or dismissive of the requests of corporate interests. During her years as vice president, she was seen as superfluous to the core policymaking process. But K Street is now setting its sights on the new Democratic ticket-leader and rushing to catch up on years of relationship-building.

Abortion Foes Use Government Power to Fight Red-State Ballot Measures

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Lori Rozsa, and Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 9/12/2024

An unprecedented number of abortion initiatives are on state ballots this November, nearly all seeking to protect reproductive rights, but opponents are trying to defeat them even before the start of voting through legal challenges, administrative maneuvers, and critics say, outright intimidation. In part, the intensity reflects what is at stake. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, every ballot measure put before voters has been approved, including in red states like Ohio. Those seeking to restrict abortion access have failed, even in conservative Kansas.

Vance Amplifies False Claims About Haitian Migrants in Ohio

MSN – Sarah Ellison, Mariana Alfaro, and Lisa Rein (Washington Post) | Published: 9/15/2024

Soon after his unsubstantiated comments on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, sparked a national firestorm and spurred violent threats in the town, U.S. Sen. JD Vance doubled down on his baseless claims that Haitians are eating their neighbors’ pets “to draw attention to the Biden-Harris immigration policies.” In a contentious interview on CNN, Vance said if he has to “create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

How This Lawsuit Against the IRS Aims to Allow Churches a Greater Role in Politics

MSN – Angele Latham (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 9/16/2024

A federal rule bans tax-exempt organizations organized under 501(c)(3) of the tax code from “directly or indirectly” participating in politics, specifically in endorsing or opposing candidates. A lawsuit filed by Chistian groups challenges the rule by alleging their speech has been “wrongfully silenced.” Although the IRS often sets churches to 501(c)(3) status by default, the churches in the complaint would likely receive the political benefits they are seeking if they switched registration to 501(c)(4) but the move would mean losing their tax benefits, said Jennifer Safstrom, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Affordable Housing Advocate Penalized for Not Registering as a Lobbyist with City of Hamilton

CBC – Samantha Beattie | Published: 9/18/2024

One of Hamilton’s most vocal affordable housing advocates is being penalized for not registering as a lobbyist with the city before contacting officials on dozens of occasions and in some instances requesting land or money for projects. Graham Cubitt is not allowed to lobby with any city staff or elected officials for 30 days, said lobbyist registrar David Boghosian, who is also the city’s integrity commissioner.

Arizona – Chandler Council Member, Accused of Corruption, Seeks Millions … from Chandler

Bears Wire – Sam Kmack (Arizona Republic) | Published: 9/14/2024

A sitting Chandler City Council member is suing the city she represents, seeking millions of dollars for slander because the city falsely divulged the FBI was investigating her for political corruption. Jane Poston claims former police Chief Sean Duggan and current Assistant Chief Dave Ramer defamed her, caused her emotional distress, and harmed her private public relations company.

Arizona – Court May Decide If Arizonans with Missing Citizenship Records Can Vote in State Races

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/17/2024

A key election official in Arizona’s Maricopa County asked the state’s highest court to prohibit nearly 100,000 longtime residents from voting in state and local races this fall after discovering the state has no record of asking them for documents proving their U.S. citizenship. Like other states, Arizona requires voters to swear they are citizens when they register to vote. But for 20 years, Arizona law has gone further and required residents to show birth certificates, naturalization papers, or other documents proving citizenship to vote in state and local elections.

California – Oakland Ethics Commission Declines Proposed Settlement with Libby Schaaf

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 9/17/2024

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission rejected the advice of its staff by refusing to settle a sprawling set of campaign finance cases involving violations by former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. Several commissioners said they feel the proposed settlement negotiated by commission staff and Schaaf’s attorney does not transparently show how much Schaaf and others will be fined for breaking multiple election rules. The commission met to consider five cases that involved Schaaf and others ranging from the Oakland Chamber of Commerce’s PAC, the Oakland police union, contractors, campaign consultants, and political groups.

California – California Legislature’s Unwritten Rule: Negotiate in secret with lobbyists, not in public

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 9/18/2024

An analysis of every vote cast in the past five years shows Democrats who control the California Legislature vote “no” on average less than one percent of the time, suggesting the fates of most bills are decided before votes are cast. The original language in almost all bills that navigate the legislative process is usually changed through amendments added in committees. That can be a high-stakes discussion done in secret between legislators and staff and lobbyists. When there are political consequences or money is involved, the governor’s office or legislative leaders can also shape bills behind the scenes.

California – California Passes Package of Laws to Combat Election Deepfakes

MSN – Felix Ng (Cointelegraph) | Published: 9/17/2024

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law bills to crack down on politically themed Artificial Intelligence (AI) deepfakes during elections. It comes only weeks after Elon Musk re-posted a parody of a Kamala Harris campaign ad on X that garnered millions of views and used AI-powered voice manipulation to make it seem Harris called herself an incompetent presidential candidate.

California – San Jose Councilmembers Team Up to Lobby City

San Jose Spotlight – Brandon Pho | Published: 9/16/2024

San Jose City Councilperson Sergio Jimenez is jumping into the elected official to lobbyist pipeline. He has formed a new consulting firm before terming out of his council seat at the end of this year. Joining him is former Councilperson Raul Peralez, a San Jose police officer who started his own consulting business after leaving office. It is the latest instance of the city’s “revolving door” through which government officials become paid lobbyists, which has prompted concern over the years about unfair deal making advantages.

California – Silicon Valley Political Groups Fail to Meet Transparency Requirements

San Jose Spotlight – Brandon Pho | Published: 9/14/2024

Nearly 40 campaign committees in Santa Clara County failed to file transparency reports by legal deadlines since 2018, in many cases even after receiving two written warnings. Nearly 30 of those committees have been flagged to county prosecutors and state watchdogs for investigation. For candidates who are new to politics, missed deadlines are an inevitable learning curve. But experts argue more experienced elected officials and candidates who should be well acquainted with the rules are likely ignoring them.

Colorado – Utilities Have to Itemize Some Political Spending in Other States. They Want Regulators to Keep It Secret in Colorado

Colorado Public Radio – Ishan Thakore | Published: 9/17/2024

Colorado lawmakers passed the Utility Regulation Act following a spike in energy bills. The law prevents investor-owned utilities from charging customers for a broad set of political activities, including meetings with lawmakers to influence legislation, some types of advertising, and membership dues to lobbying groups. The law requires utilities to submit an annual report about their spending. But lawmakers left it to regulators to determine much of the law’s fine print, including how much detail utilities must include in the report. Consumer advocates and utilities are now fighting over the scope of the law.

Florida – Ethics Commission: Lobbyist never cashed Baxter’s reimbursement checks for trip, VIP dinner

Austin American-Statesman – Mike Diamond (Palm Beach Post) | Published: 9/18/2024

The Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics cited lobbyist Ron Book for failing to cash checks totaling $600 from county Commissioner Sara Baxter for a ride on his private jet to Tallahassee to attend the inauguration of Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2023. Sitting on the checks after 90 days of receiving them turned the trip and the dinner into gifts, which means Baxter had to report them as such, and she did not. The commission has not charged Baxter with any wrongdoing but the ethics agency is investigating her, too.

Florida – Trial Begins in Alleged Florida Election Conspiracy That Tilted a Miami Senate Race

MSN – Charles Rabin (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/15/2024

A criminal case that opened a window to a plot to help Republicans win important 2020 Florida Senate races by propping up fake progressive candidates with shadowy money is finally headed to trial, with a political operative fighting the charges. State prosecutors are expected to claim in court that former state Sen. Frank Artiles, a Republican, masterminded a scheme to tilt the results of a tight race in Miami by recruiting and paying a straw candidate to siphon votes away from the Democratic incumbent.

Georgia – Georgia Lieutenant Governor Won’t Face Charges Connected to 2020 Election

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 9/13/2024

A special prosecutor concluded criminal charges should not be brought against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for his role in helping Donald Trump overturn his election loss in Georgia. Jones faced scrutiny because he was one of 16 state Republicans who signed a certificate falsely claiming Trump won Georgia in 2020 and declaring themselves to be the “duly elected and qualified electors from Georgia.” As a state senator, Jones also sought to convene a special session of the Legislature aimed at reversing Joe Biden’s narrow victory in the state.

Georgia – Judge in Georgia Election Case Knocks Out 2 Charges Against Trump

MSN – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 9/12/2024

A judge overseeing the Georgia case charging Donald Trump with conspiring to interfere in the 2020 election tossed out three more of the prosecution’s charges, two of which involve the former president. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said the three counts were legally flawed because they involved claims that Trump or his allies violated state law by submitting fraudulent documents to a federal court in Atlanta.

Illinois – City Council Cracks Down on Lobbyist Campaign Donations to Mayor after Johnson Took Contributions

WBEZ – Tessa Weinberg | Published: 9/18/2024

The Chicago City Council passed an ethics ordinance aimed at sanctioning lobbyists for contributions to mayoral candidates after Mayor Brandon Johnson dropped his opposition to the plan. The penalties close an enforcement gap in a 13-year-old ethics rule put in place by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel that prohibits lobbyists from donating to a mayor’s political fund. The reform broadens the original ban by expanding the restrictions to contributions made to mayoral candidates’ political committees, not just the incumbent mayor’s.

Kentucky – Complaint Filed Against a Top Kentucky Democrat for Condo Purchase. She Says It’s Ethical.

Yahoo News – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 9/16/2024

An ethics complaint was filed against House Minority Caucus Chairperson Cherlynn Stevenson for jointly purchasing a Frankfort condominium with a lobbyist. But Stevenson has copies of correspondence with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission, the body that handles such complaints, clearing her to purchase the condo with Sarah Bowling earlier this year.

Nebraska – Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission Seeks New Director as Hunter Steps Back

Nebraska Examiner – Aaron Sanderford | Published: 9/16/2024

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission needs a new executive director about a year after promoting a leader from within. David Hunter asked to return to his previous job as deputy director for personal reasons, officials said. Hunter succeeded Frank Daley, who retired after a quarter century as executive director.

New Jersey – Atlantic City Mayor and Wife Indicted for Alleged Child Abuse

MSN – Daniel Han (Politico) | Published: 9/18/2024

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, who is the city’s superintendent of schools, face criminal charges for allegedly abusing their teenage daughter. According to prosecutors, Small Sr. and La’Quetta Small physically assaulted their daughter, who was 15 to 16 years old during the time of the alleged abuse. Small Sr. is the latest Atlantic City elected official to face criminal charges.

New Mexico – Judge Orders ‘Dark Money’ Group Back to Court for Failure to Register, Disclose Donors

Yahoo News – Daniel Chacón (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 9/16/2024

A judge is considering holding a “dark money” group in contempt for failing to comply with an order to register as a political committee and disclose its donors. The New Mexico Project aims to “empower the moderate Latino electorate,” according to its website, and supported a slate of legislative candidates in the Democratic primary. Judge Joshua Allison issued a preliminary injunction requiring the group to register no later than September 4 and report its expenditures and contributions no later than September 9. The group has done neither.

New York – Ex-FDNY Chiefs Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges in ‘Pay-to-Play Corruption’ Scheme

Gothamist – Matt Katz and Elizabeth Kim | Published: 9/16/2024

Two former New York Fire Department chiefs accepted at least $190,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking approvals of buildings’ fire alarm systems, according to an indictment. Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco were the top two chiefs at the department’s bureau of fire prevention, which issues approvals for alarm and suppression systems in businesses and buildings. According to the indictment, from 2021 to 2023 they worked through a retired firefighter who, acting as a middleman, promised to expedite reviews and inspections in exchange for cash.

New York – Mayor Adams’ Team Asked Campaign Watchdog for More Time – Citing Federal Investigation

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 9/12/2024

Mayor Eric Adams’ team wrote in a letter to New York City’s campaign finance watchdog that the campaign needed more time to respond to questions about apparent sloppy recordkeeping because its lawyer was too busy dealing with a federal inquiry. The Campaign Finance Board granted multiple deadline extensions to respond to an audit of Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign. The audit sought additional documentation for $2.3 million in expenses.

New York – Mayor Adams’ Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg Resigned Over Rebuffed Advice to Fire Officials Amid Probe

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 9/16/2024

Lisa Zornberg, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ former chief counsel, resigned after the mayor rejected her advice to fire several top administration officials ensnared in federal corruption investigations, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Zornberg presented Adams with the recommendation for firings after concluding an internal review of Ray Martin, a lower-level aide in the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the sources said.

New York – New York City Police Commissioner Resigns After His Phone Was Seized in Federal Investigation

Yahoo News – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 9/12/2024

New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned, one week after it emerged his phone was seized as part of federal investigation that touched several members of Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle. Federal authorities are also investigating Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, a former police sergeant who runs a nightclub security business, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Ohio – SEC Sues Ex-FirstEnergy CEO Jones; Conspiracy Charge Brought Against Him, Ex-Exec Dowling

MSN – Patrick Williams (Akron Beacon Journal) | Published: 9/13/2024

Two former FirstEnergy executives were indicted \on an additional conspiracy charge for their alleged roles in a “pay-to-play” scheme. The indictment also included amended charges against former Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and former Senior Vice President of External Affairs Michael Dowling. As part of a separate lawsuit, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against Jones, alleging he misled investors about the utility’s payments to former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder in a “pay-to-play” scheme.

Ohio – Ohio Sheriff Says to ‘Write Down’ Addresses of Homes with Harris Signs

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 9/16/2024

A sheriff in Ohio who made disparaging remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris and immigrants on social media is suggesting local residents compile a list of addresses where they see yard signs in support of the Democratic presidential nominee. Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski’s Facebook posts sparked tension across Portage County, which Donald Trump carried by 12 points in the 2020 election. Some residents accused Zuchowski of voter intimidation ahead of November’s election.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Clears Ballot Language Saying Anti-Gerrymandering Measure Calls for the Opposite

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 9/16/2024

The Ohio Supreme Court let stand ballot language that will describe this fall’s Issue 1 as requiring gerrymandering, when the proposal is intended to do the opposite. The bipartisan proposal calls for replacing Ohio’s troubled political map-making system with a citizen-led commission of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. The proposal emerged after seven different versions of congressional and legislative maps created after the 2020 Census were declared unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans.

Oklahoma – Ethics Questions Swirl as Oklahoma Lawmaker Stands to Profit from Potential Solar Farm in His District

KOSU – Lionel Ramos | Published: 9/17/2024

Oklahoma Rep. Justin Humphrey met with about a dozen landowners in his district to discuss a deal. He said a company was looking to buy 5,000 of land to build a solar farm.  Humphry also acknowledged he and his brothers were selling land they owned in the proposed deal. State ethics rules say lawmakers cannot negotiate business deals in their district that they or their family would benefit from, especially if there is legislation involved. The same state rules prohibiting Humphrey’s behavior also protect officeholders from formal complaints during an election season.

Oklahoma – Campaign Funds Can Now Be Used by Oklahoma Candidates to Pay for Caregiving Expenses

Oklahoma Voice – Emma Murphy | Published: 9/16/2024

Oklahoma joined 33 other states in allowing candidates running for office to use campaign funds for dependent care, effective immediately. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion permitting candidates who are primary caregivers to use campaign funds to pay for care of dependents such as children, people with disabilities, or elderly relatives.

Oregon – ‘Exceedingly Close Call’ of Illegality in Gonzalez’s Wikipedia Edits, Portland Auditor Says; Calls for State Investigation

MSN – Zane Sparling (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/16/2024

A sitting Portland commissioner who tapped public funds to clean up his Wikipedia page walked the razor’s edge of breaking city campaign finance laws, but the evidence is insufficient to prove a violation, the city auditor’s office ruled. Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, a top candidate in the mayoral race, spent $6,400 earlier this year while seeking to remove an errant reference to an apparent Patriot Prayer member he interacted with on social media and highlight his status as a Democrat.

Oregon – Oregon Secretary of State Opens Investigation into Portland City Council Candidates Who Traded Contributions

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/11/2024

Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade will investigate Portland City Council and mayoral candidates who agreed to reciprocate campaign contributions to obtain matching funds from the city. At least 13 Portland candidates explicitly agreed to give money to other candidates this summer in exchange for incoming contributions, according to emails and texts. Candidates for city council were trying to gather donations from at least 250 Portland residents to qualify for up to $40,000 in matching taxpayer funds before the August 27 deadline.

Pennsylvania – Protesters Rally Against Dark Money after 35-Mile March from Lancaster to Harrisburg

Lancaster Online – Sarah Nicell | Published: 9/12/2024

After a three-day, 35-mile walk from Lancaster to Harrisburg, protesters demanding changes to Pennsylvania’s campaign finance laws held a rally at the state Capitol against dark money. Several members of the group attended a meeting with representatives for Senate President Kim Ward to discuss their current priority: an anti-dark money bill authored by Free Speech for People that has yet to move in the Republican-majority state Senate.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Supreme Court Tosses Lower Court’s Decision on Mail-In Ballot Dating Requirement

Yahoo News – Peter Hall (Pennsylvania Capital-Star) | Published: 9/13/2024

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out a lower court’s decision finding the requirement for voters to write the date on mail-in ballots to have them counted unconstitutional. The state’s highest court said the Commonwealth Court lacked jurisdiction to hear a challenge of the dating provision by voters’ rights groups. The lower court concluded the dating requirement violates the fair and equal elections clause of the state constitution because it restricts the right to vote but does not serve a compelling governmental purpose.

Tennessee – Lee Seeks Ethics Panel Advice on Travel Payments, Will Repay Expense If Found Inappropriate

MSN – Vivian Jones (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 9/13/2024

Following threats of an ethics complaint over his travel to Florida paid by an outside group, Gov. Bill Lee is asking the Tennessee Ethics Commission to clarify whether accepting such payments is allowed under state law. If the panel finds Lee’s travel payments were illegal or unethical, he is pledging to repay the funds. Lee traveled to Marco Island, Florida, to be a keynote speaker of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a group behind a handful of controversial new state laws. ADF, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its partner 501(c)4 organization both employ Matthew Lorimer, a registered lobbyist in Tennessee.

Washington – Let’s Go Washington Accused of Violating Campaign Finance Law

Yahoo News – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 9/18/2024

A 14-month investigation has led to charges against the political committee founded by businessperson Brian Heywood for allegedly violating campaign finance laws in the course of gathering signatures for six initiatives last year. Staff of the state Public Disclosure Commission filed administrative charges alleging Let’s Go Washington did not “accurately and timely” report its spending on signature-gathering for each of the measures. Staff also assert the committee failed to obtain and disclose information from vendors on their spending on subcontractors for signature-gathering.

Campaign Finance

California: “Oakland Ethics Commission Declines Proposed Settlement with Libby Schaaf” by Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) for MSN

Oregon: “‘Exceedingly Close Call’ of Illegality in Gonzalez’s Wikipedia Edits, Portland Auditor Says; Calls for State Investigation” by Zane Sparling (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Washington: “Let’s Go Washington Accused of Violating Campaign Finance Law” by Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) for Yahoo News

Elections

Arizona: “Court May Decide If Arizonans with Missing Citizenship Records Can Vote in State Races” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Violent Threats and Attacks Escalate Tensions in Trump-Harris Race” by Hannah Knowles and Hannah Allam (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

California: “California Legislature’s Unwritten Rule: Negotiate in secret with lobbyists, not in public” by Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) for MSN

Lobbying

Illinois: “City Council Cracks Down on Lobbyist Campaign Donations to Mayor after Johnson Took Contributions” by Tessa Weinberg for WBEZ

Redistricting

Ohio: “Ohio Supreme Court Clears Ballot Language Saying Anti-Gerrymandering Measure Calls for the Opposite” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for MSN