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

National/Federal

Candidates Can Use Campaign Funds for Childcare in Most States, but Few Do

Associated Press News – Isabella Volmert | Published: 9/12/2024

Two thirds of states now allow candidates of any gender running for public office to use campaign funds to pay for childcare expenses after the FEC approved the practice for federal candidates in 2018. While women with young children say its monumental to their campaigns and usage is growing, the number of candidates taking advantage of the policies remains relatively low and numerous complex barriers keeping mothers from running for office persist.

How Taylor Swift Surprised Harris, and Entered a New Political Era

DNyuz – Katie Rogers, Matt Stevens, and Emily Cochrane (New York Times) | Published: 9/11/2024

Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after Harris’s debate against Donald Trump. In a political landscape with countless celebrity endorsements that do little to prompt would-be voters into action, Swift’s support stands out as among the most meaningful. The vice president’s advisers said they believed the contest would come down to disengaged Americans who might not know which way they will vote, or if they will vote at all. That is where someone like Swift could make a difference.

Feds Increase Security for Jan. 6 in Effort to Prevent Capitol Attack Repeat

MSN – Peter Hermann and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 9/11/2024

The federal government will dramatically increase security protections for the joint session of Congress where lawmakers count states’ electoral votes, an escalation of government-wide efforts to prevent a repeat of the attack on the Capitol. The Department of Homeland Security has designated the next electoral count, scheduled for  January 6, 2025, a National Special Security Event, giving the once-routine gathering the same level of security accorded to presidential inaugurations and political conventions.

Justice Dept. Charges Two Russian Media Operatives in Alleged Scheme

MSN – David Nakamura, Catherine Belton, and Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 9/4/2024

The Justice Department charged two Russian media executives in an alleged scheme that authorities say illegally funneled millions of dollars to a Tennessee-based company to create and publish propaganda videos that racked up millions of views on U.S. social media. Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, Russian citizens who remain at large, were charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Justice Alito Reports Concert Tickets, Stocks in 2023 Financial Report

MSN – Tobi Raji (Washington Post) | Published: 9/6/2024

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito received concert tickets valued at $900 last year from a German princess known for her conservative Catholic views and sold stock in a beer company targeted by anti-LGBTQ+ activists, according to his financial disclosure form. Alito continues to own individual stock in more than two dozen companies, a practice that is permitted but that transparency advocates caution can lead to conflicts-of-interest that require recusal from key cases. Chief Justice John Roberts is the only other member of the court who owns individual stocks; most other justices invest in mutual funds.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Against U.S. Sen. JD Vance, Other Republicans Trying to Erase Federal Limits on Coordinated Political Spending

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/9/2024

A federal appeals court ruled against U.S. Sen. JD Vance and other Republicans in their attempt to overturn federal limits on political parties’ ability to coordinate spending with candidates. But a majority of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals expressed empathy with the Republican plaintiffs and only sided against them out of a belief it should be up to the U.S. Supreme Court, not them, to overturn a 2001 Supreme Court ruling upholding the limits.

Elon Musk’s Misleading Election Claims Reach Millions and Alarm Election Officials

MSN – Sarah Ellison, Amy Gardner, and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

In the two years since he bought Twitter, now X, Elon Musk has transformed it into a primary source of false election rumors, both by spreading them on his own account, which has 197 million followers, and lowering some of the site’s guardrails around misinformation. Experts say Musk is uniquely dangerous as a purveyor of misinformation because his digital following stretches well beyond the political realm and into the technology and investment sectors. Musk’s 52 posts or reposts about noncitizen voting drew almost 700 million views.

Harris Crisply Attacks Trump in Debate; He Retorts with Fiery Rhetoric

MSN – Toluse Olorunnipa and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

Vice President Kamala Harris made a sharp, fiery case against Donald Trump during a freewheeling debate, blasting the former president’s character and preoccupation with himself while pressing him to task on issues including abortion, democracy, and foreign policy. Trump attacked Harris as a “Marxist” masquerading as a moderate and repeatedly turned the subject back to the U.S. southern border, often straying from the facts to embrace debunked conspiracy theories about immigration and the 2020 election.

Trump, Republicans Push Swing-State Courts to Reject Mail-in Ballots

MSN – Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

Republicans have waged a nationwide legal campaign since 2020 to reject mail-in ballots. They say the litigation is aimed at the enforcement of election law to the letter. But critics see a strategy that has nothing to do with election integrity and everything to do with disqualifying voters who cast ballots by mail, an overwhelming majority of whom support Democrats.

Super PAC Funded by Ted Cruz’s Podcast Deal Gave $1 Million to Back His Campaign

San Antonio Current – Sanford Nowlin | Published: 9/6/2024

Despite U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s prior statements that he has no direct involvement with a super PAC funded by a distribution deal for his podcast, federal records show that same PAC is bankrolling his campaign’s field operations. Truth and Courage PAC, an entity partially funded by a deal the sentor struck with iHeartMedia to carry his podcast, shelled out $1 million in the second quarter to pay for door knocking and phone banking by Cruz’s reelection campaign.

The AI Industry Uses a Light Lobbying Touch to Educate Congress from a Corporate Perspective

Yahoo News – Dan Merica (Associated Press) | Published: 9/8/2024

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry has gone on a lobbying binge in the past few years, deploying scores of hired influencers to help shape potential government action. The technology is being adopted by powerful sectors of the economy, all with the hopes of having a say on possible regulations. As AI evolves at such a rapid clip, lawmakers are leaning on the lobbyists’ expertise because think tanks, nonprofit groups, and academia are struggling to keep up with the changes. Relying on PowerPoint slides and briefing papers, industry lobbyists are getting lots of face time with lawmakers and staff, advising them on the fine points of the technology.

Campaign Money? Bribes? Lobbying? Your Utility Rates May Include Some, Advocates Say

Yahoo News – Medora Lee (USA Today) | Published: 9/8/2024

Millions of Americans receive their monthly utility bill and just assume it is high because of extreme weather. That is only part of the story. Customers are paying for everything from the utility company’s trade association fees, lobbying efforts to increase rates, and even country club memberships, consumer advocates say. Utilities have also funneled money to 501(c)(4) non-profits that can accept unlimited corporate and personal donations and are often used to engage in lobbying activity, issue advocacy, or political activity.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Ex-Oakland Mayor Schaaf Agrees to Pay $21,000 Fine for Breaking Campaign Rules

MSN – Sarah Ravani (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 9/6/2024

Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf agreed to pay $21,000 in penalties to settle claims she violated election rules by failing to disclose her involvement in campaigns to pass a city ballot measure and defeat two incumbent city council candidates. The Public Ethics Commission’s enforcement unit also recommended fining the Oakland Chamber of Commerce nearly $50,000 for failing to report “intermediary contributions” it made on behalf of individuals, and it advised separate fines of about $20,000 each against Doug Linney, a director at East Bay Municipal Utility District who also works as a campaign consultant, and the Oakland police union.

California – L.A. Real Estate Developer Accused of 444 Violations of Campaign Fundraising Laws

MSN – Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 9/7/2024

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission accused real estate developer Samuel Leung of committing 444 violations of the city’s campaign finance laws, including those that prohibit the laundering of campaign money. The commission said it determined “probable cause exists” to believe that between 2009 and 2015, Leung reimbursed campaign donors in violation of city law and exceeded the limits for political contributions.

California – Reform Bills Inspired by LAist Investigation Are Before Newsom for Final Approval

MSN – Yusra Farzan (LAist) | Published: 9/11/2024

Three reform bills, inspired by LAist’s investigation into millions of taxpayer dollars in Orange County that are unaccounted for, passed unanimously in the state Legislature and are now awaiting California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision on whether to sign them into law. Two of the bills would require more public transparency about elected officials’ family ties to certain types of contractors, and in some cases ban them from participating in awarding the money.

California – Irvine Tightens Lobbying Rules

Voice of OC – Angela Hicks | Published: 9/11/2024

Irvine gave initial approval to strengthening the city’s lobbying rules. City council members approved the changes unanimously, which will require more people to register as lobbyists more often and publicly disclose their activities to the city. The lobbying ordinance will require a second reading and vote before it can go into effect. The council meets again on September 24.

Delaware – Transgender Lawmaker Wins Democratic Primary for Delaware’s Only House Seat

DNyuz – Amy Harmon (New York Times) | Published: 9/10/2024

State Sen. Sarah McBride won the Democratic primary for Delaware’s only U.S. House seat, making her the heavy favorite to win in November in the deep-blue state. If elected, she would become the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Delaware – Meyer Defeats Scandal-Plagued Hall-Long and O’Mara in Delaware’s Democratic Primary for Governor

WHYY – Chris Barrash | Published: 9/10/2024

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer capitalized on Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s yearlong campaign finance scandal and former state environmental protection chief Collin O’Mara’s late entry into the race and rolled to a convincing victory in the three-way gubernatorial primary. Meyer will be the prohibitive favorite to win the governorship over House Minority Leader Mike Ramone in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one and since 2018 have held all nine statewide elective offices.

Florida – Florida Supreme Court Justices Raise Prospect of Tossing Fair Districts Amendment

Florida Politics – Jacob Ogles | Published: 9/12/2024

Florida Supreme Court Justices are questioning whether the Fair Districts Amendment to the state constitution impossibly handcuffs redistricting efforts. Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz raised the prospect of tossing the amendment, passed by Florida voters in 2010, as the court heard arguments that Florida’s congressional map violated measures prohibiting the diminishment of Black communities voting power.

Florida – DeSantis Election Police Question People Who Signed Abortion Ballot Petition

MSN – Lori Rozsa (Washington Post) | Published: 9/9/2024

Florida voters who signed a petition to place a pro-choice abortion referendum on the ballot this November say they have been visited by police who are investigating claims of fraud at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration. The investigation comes as Democrats and election experts express concern that DeSantis is using the powers of the state to derail the referendum, which would nullify a six-week abortion ban the governor signed into law last year. The state’s health-care agency recently launched a website that claims the amendment “threatens women’s safety.”

Florida – Mayor’s Office: No conflict for chief of staff Darnell Smith to also do Florida Blue work

Yahoo News – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 9/5/2024

Florida Blue insurance executive Darnell Smith, who has been Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s chief of staff since January, will split his time over the next few weeks between working on his city duties and handling ongoing negotiations for Florida Blue in its contentious insurance contract talks with Baptist Health. Smith does not receive a city salary. He works as an “executive on loan” from Florida Blue, which has continued to pay his salary and benefits. The arrangement is set to last through the end of December.

Illinois – Bribery Trial of Former AT&T Boss to Offer Sneak Preview of Madigan Case

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/9/2024

Former AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazza’s bribery trial began at Chicago’s federal courthouse where he stands accused of a scheme to funnel $22,500 in payments to a former House Speaker Michael Madigan associate in exchange for the speaker’s help passing legislation important to the company. La Schiazza’s case is expected to offer a sneak preview of a key part of Madigan’s own trial, which starts on October 8.

Indiana – McCormick Releases Ethics Plan with Focus on Lobbying Reform

Yahoo News – Whitney Downard (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 9/5/2024

Indiana gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick released an ethics plan with a focus on increasing transparency and accountability for elected officials at the state and local level, regulating lobbying. Aspects of the plan include removing lobbyists from politically appointed committee positions as well as standardizing campaign finance reporting and annually filed statements of economic interest. Paid lobbyists would face increased regulation that prohibits them from gifting “anything” of value to state lawmakers.

Kansas – Inside the Kansas Court Case That Could Cripple a Sweeping Campaign Finance Investigation

Yahoo News – Jonathan Shorman (Kansas City Star) | Published: 9/6/2024

Does a Kansas law that prohibits campaign contributions given “in the name of another person” also make it illegal for political groups to shift funds among themselves until the dollars arrive at a desired destination? Over two years, $54,000 in contributions moved through a series of political committees before ending up in the accounts of the Kansas Republican Party. Why those transfers happened in 2020 and 2021 is the subject of a lengthy, ongoing investigation.

Kentucky – Federal Court Halts, for Now, Kentucky Election Finance Opinion on School Choice Measure

The Center Square – Steve Bittenbender | Published: 9/5/2024

A federal appeals court temporarily stopped the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) from taking action against three Republican county committees that want to use party funds to support a school choice initiative scheduled to appear on the November ballot. KREF General Counsel Leslie Saunders has said state law requires party funds to be spent on promoting its candidates.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Declines to Waive Jeff Landry’s $100 Late Fine

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 9/6/2024

The Louisiana Board of Ethics has declined Gov. Jeff Landry’s request to waive a $100 fine for filing his 2023 annual campaign finance report one day late. The board’s decision comes just a few months before Landry, who has been at odds with the board for years, will gain more power over its makeup.

Michigan – Judge Finds Probable Cause to Believe Ex-Chatfield Staffers Embezzled Political Cash

Detroit News – Craig Mauger | Published: 9/12/2024

Anne and Robert Minard, two top staffers of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, are poised to face criminal trials after a judge determined there was probable cause to believe allegations that they stole more than $600,000 from political fundraising accounts. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has accused the Minards of using fraudulent reimbursements, double-billings, misrepresented expenses, and falsified records to embezzle money from nonprofit groups and PACs.

Michigan – In Michigan, an ‘Unhinged Werewolf’ Will Make It Clear Who Voted

Seattle Times – Callie Holtermann (New York Times) | Published: 9/5/2024

One entry in a statewide contest to design Michigan’s next “I Voted” sticker depicted a werewolf clawing its shirt to tatters and howling at an unseen moon. A smattering of stars and stripes poke out from behind its torso. “I Voted,” reads a string of red, white, and blue block letters floating above the creature’s open jaws. The illustration by 12-year-old Jane Hynous is one of nine winning designs the Michigan Department of State will offer local clerks to distribute to voters in the November election.

Missouri – Missouri High Court Allows Abortion Measure to Stay on Fall Ballot

MSN – Molly Hennessey-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 9/10/2024

Hours before ballots were to be finalized, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution is specific enough to present to voters in November. Only days earlier, a lower-court judge ruled the ballot measure invalid because it does not identify which laws it would repeal. The outcome means Missouri will remain among more than half a dozen states with measures to protect abortion rights on their ballots this fall, including in presidential battleground states such as Arizona and Florida.

New Hampshire – Ethics Committee Won’t Make a Ruling on Tara Reardon Conflict of Interest Until After Election

Concord Monitor – Catherine McLaughlin | Published: 9/4/2024

New Hampshire’s Legislative Ethics Committee will determine whether Tara Reardon, if elected to the state Senate, would have to recuse herself on legislation her spouse’s firm lobbies on, but not until after the Democratic primary, which Reardon won. That means voters casting their ballots did not have a clear answer about Reardon’s ability to participate in the legislative process due to a new law that takes effect in January.

New York – Cuomo Legal Bills Have Cost N.Y. Taxpayers $25.4 Million and Counting

DNyuz – Benjamin Oreskes (New York Times) | Published: 9/12/2024

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has employed aggressive legal tactics as he seeks to defend himself against sexual harassment lawsuits and protect his political image as he contemplates a comeback. The state has spent about $25.4 million representing the legal interests of Cuomo and several of his top aides as they fend off civil complaints, criminal investigations, and inquiries from the Legislature. Because Cuomo’s alleged actions took place while he was governor, state law requires taxpayers to foot legal bills related to the accusations.

New York – After a Year of Legal Peril, Trump Seeks Election as a Felon, but Free

Seattle Times – Ben Protess, Kate Christobek, and William Rashbaum (New York Times) | Published: 9/8/2024

At Donald Trump’s request, and without objection from prosecutors, the judge who presided over his criminal trial in Manhattan postponed his sentencing until after the November election. Trump, who faces up to four years in prison for falsifying records to conceal a sex scandal, had sought the delay to buy time to challenge his conviction. The former president also argued it would be unfair to face sentencing so close to Election Day, even though that timing was the result of his own stalling tactics.

New York – Feds Raid Homes of Top Eric Adams Deputies, Seize Police Commissioner’s Phones

The City – Greg Smith, Katie Honan, Gwynne Hogan, and Samantha Maldonado | Published: 9/5/2024

Federal authorities raided the homes of some of the highest-ranking members of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, including two deputy mayors and the schools chancellor, and seized the electronic devices of the police commissioner. This extraordinary effort in the last two days to obtain evidence follows other federal raids and seizures that have swept up the mayor and other top aides in what appears to be a broadening investigation of City Hall.

North Carolina – Few Students Are Playing but Lawmakers Keep Paying for Video Game from NC Company

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 9/10/2024

Since 2020, state lawmakers have spent millions of dollars to put Plasma Games’ science-based video game in North Carolina public schools even though few students are playing, and schools could not show the game is improving learning. Plasma Games is another example of the Republican-led Legislature inserting provisions into omnibus spending bills to that benefit specific private businesses and nonprofits with political ties, a practice that in one case has drawn the attention of a federal grand jury.

North Carolina – NC Supreme Court Orders RFK Jr’s Name to Be Taken Off Ballots, Mail-in Voting Delayed by Weeks

MSN – Will Doran (WRAL) | Published: 9/9/2024

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name will not be on ballots in North Carolina this year as the state Supreme Court ruled officials must reprint the millions of ballots it finished printing in August. The ruling means North Carolina is now expected to blow past the legal deadline to start sending out ballots by at least two weeks, at the cost of potentially $1 million to state taxpayers, arguments that state officials made against reprinting the ballots, but which the Supreme Court said were worth it to ensure no voter confusion caused by having Kennedy’s name on the ballots even though he dropped out of the race.

Ohio – Ohio Appeals Court Tosses Lawsuit Challenging Speaker Jason Stephens’ Control of House GOP Campaign Arm

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/6/2024

A state appeals court panel threw out a legal challenge to Speaker Jason Stephens’ control over the Ohio House Republicans’ campaign fund, as well as an injunction preventing him from spending money from the account. Some House Republicans have sought to undermine the Stephens’ power since Democrats helped elect him speaker last year despite receiving votes from just a third of his GOP colleagues.

Ohio – An Ohio City Reshaped by Haitian Immigrants Lands in an Unwelcome Spotlight

MSN – Patrick Aftoora Orsagos, Julie Carr Smyth, and Elliot Spagat (Associated Press) | Published: 9/11/2024

Many cities have been reshaped by immigrants in the last few years without attracting much notice. Not Springfield, Ohio. Its story of economic renewal and related growing pains has been thrust into the national conversation in a presidential election year and maliciously distorted by false rumors that Haitian immigrants are eating their neighbors’ pets. Donald Trump amplified those lies during the nationally televised debate, exacerbating some residents’ fears about growing divisiveness in the predominantly white, blue-collar city of about 60,000.

Oregon – Most Candidates for Portland Mayor and City Council Sent Reciprocated Contributions to Other Candidates, Raising Legal Questions

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/10/2024

Dozens of Portland City Council and mayoral candidates agreed to reciprocate political contributions as they sought to qualify for matching campaign funds from the city. Candidates benefit when a fellow Portland resident gives them a contribution because notching enough local donations triggers the matching funds. Yet state law prohibits candidates for political office from soliciting donations from anyone by promising to give the person a financial payback.

Tennessee – Ethics Questions Plaguing Tennessee Governor’s Administration

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 9/11/2024

Shortly after taking office in 2019, Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order prohibiting executive branch employees from accepting lodging and transportation from groups trying to do business with the state but says his recent trip to Florida paid for by a group that lobbies state lawmakers is “customary and allowable.” That trip and a complaint filed against the state education commissioner is bringing greater scrutiny to Tennessee’s ethics rules and relationships that officials have with lobbying groups.

Texas – Mayoral Candidate Doug Greco Sues City to Overturn Campaign Finance Rule

Austin Monitor – Jo Clifton | Published: 9/11/2024

Mayoral candidate Doug Greco filed suit in federal court, challenging the provision of the City Charter that prevents city council candidates from accepting more than $47,000 in contributions from people who live outside the Austin city limits. The plaintiffs also want the judge to grant a permanent injunction against enforcement of the law. Greco has complained that his relatives in other states are unable to contribute because of the limitation.

National/Federal

Feds Charge Crypto Lobbyist Linked to Former FTX Executive with Campaign Finance Crimes

Courthouse News Service – John Russell | Published: 8/22/2024

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment accusing convicted former FTX executive Ryan Salame’s girlfriend of receiving illegal campaign contributions during her unsuccessful bid for a New York congressional seat in 2022. Authorities say cryptocurrency lobbyist Michelle Bond illegally financed her campaign with hundreds of thousands of dollars wired to her from Salame. She then lied to the House ethics committee about the origin of those campaign funds, they say. Salame pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to make unlawful political contributions.

Free Booze, a Lake Cruise and Selfies Galore: How Democrats courted influencers at the D.N.C.

DNyuz – Ken Bensinger (New York Times) | Published: 8/23/2024

At the Democratic National Convention, “content creators” – better known as an influencers – got face time with Gwen Walz, the wife of Tim Walz, aboard a private boat; they were treated to tiki bar parties and catered rooftop luncheons; and many were offered one-on-one interviews with some of the Democratic Party’s biggest names. The treatment was part of a campaign to flood social media with positive messages about Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Democrats hoped that free stuff and access would reap posts on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, the primary sources of news for a critical, and growing, slice of voters.

Inside the Democratic Schmoozefest, Where Hotel Lobbies Are ‘Prime Territory’

DNyuz – Michael Shear and Theodore Schleifer (New York Times) | Published: 8/23/2024

Powerful relationships are born and nurtured at political conventions, far from K Street lobbying offices or boardrooms. “Hotel lobbies are prime territory,” said Steve Elmendorf, a veteran Democratic lobbyist who compared the schmoozing to a college reunion. “People are unobstructed. You see the governor or the senator walk through the lobby, you can go talk to them.”

How a Federal Court in New Orleans Is Driving the Conservative Agenda

DNyuz – Mattathias Schwartz (New York Times) | Published: 8/26/2024

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has turned its corner of the federal judiciary into a proving ground for some of the most aggressive conservative arguments in American law. In a few of the biggest Supreme Court decisions of the last few years – including Dobbs v. Jackson, which ended a 49-year right to abortion – it was the Fifth Circuit that first ruled on the case, teeing it up for Supreme Court review and a seismic moment in law and politics. In the Supreme Court’s upcoming term, the justices have agreed to hear five more cases from the Fifth Circuit.

Sarah Palin Is Granted New Libel Trial Against The New York Times

DNyuz – David Enrich (New York Times) | Published: 8/28/2024

A federal appeals court ordered a new trial in a long-running libel lawsuit that Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice-presidential nominee, brought against The New York Times. The court found Palin’s original trial against newspaper, which she lost in 2022, had been tainted by problematic rulings by the presiding judge. The suit accused The Times of defaming her in an editorial that wrongly suggested she incited a 2011 shooting at a political event in Arizona.

In Some States, Having a Guardian Means Not Having a Vote

DNyuz – Rachel Nostrant (New York Times) | Published: 8/29/2024

Seven states have laws that say anyone under a guardianship agreement cannot cast a ballot. Guardianships give a court-approved guardian, who might be a parent, a caretaker, or even a public defender, decision-making authority over a person. It may be limited to certain matters, like financial decisions, or it could extend to every facet of the person’s life. Many of the state laws are decades or even centuries old and presume that anyone under guardianship is mentally incompetent. The Justice Department said earlier this year that such blanket policies are illegal under federal civil rights laws.

Head of EPA Air Office Violated Ethics Rules, Agency Watchdog Says

MSN – Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/28/2024

Joseph Goffman, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air office, violated federal ethics rules by failing to disclose his financial interest in a company regulated by the agency. Goffman did not disclose he held more than $25,000 worth of stock in Sherwin-Williams, which makes paint and coatings, before helping to craft a rule that directly affected the company. The rule is intended to limit harmful air pollution from facilities across the country that manufacture coatings.

Exec at Trump Media Jumped the Line for U.S. Visa After Company Lobbied GOP Lawmaker

MSN – Robert Faturechi, Justin Elliott, and Alex Mierjeski (ProPubica) | Published: 8/29/2024

U.S. Rep. Rep. Don Bacon intervened to help Donald Trump’s social media company jump the line for a difficult-to-obtain foreign-worker visa to bring a company executive to the U.S. A former staffer said Bacon personally instructed her to help Trump Media, even though she thought it was inappropriate to mix politics with the office’s constituent services duties.

How a Trump Visit Sparked Turmoil at America’s Most Sacred Cemetery

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Dan Lemothe (Washington Post) | Published: 8/28/2024

Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to mark the anniversary of a bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Afghanistan. Officials said they wanted to respect the wishes of family members who wanted Trump there but were wary of his record of politicizing the military. Federal law prohibits election-related activities at military cemeteries. Officials laid out ground rules they hoped would wall off politics from the final resting place of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Instead, they got sucked into exactly the kind of crisis they were hoping to avoid.

Why Extreme Heat Is Making Campaign Rallies More Dangerous

MSN – Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/29/2024

At least 78 attendees of Donald Trump’s rallies have been hospitalized for heat-related illnesses in the past three months. An attendee of a Kamala Harris’s rally in Wisconsin appeared to suffer from heat stroke, prompting a pause in the programming. The incidents underscore how climate change, which is making heat waves longer and more extreme, is complicating plans for outdoor events of all kinds. Such rallies have become a hallmark of campaigning, especially in swing states in the sweltering Sun Belt and the unseasonably warm Midwest.

New Trump Indictment Tries to Salvage Case after Supreme Court Ruling

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 8/27/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith filed an updated indictment against Donald Trump in a bid to strengthen the historic election obstruction case, following a Supreme Court ruling that granted broad immunity to presidents for official acts and sharply criticized the prosecutor’s approach. Even a whittled-down indictment could end up the subject of protracted fights between the special counsel and Trump’s attorneys about what is allowed to be charged or used as evidence, battles that once again may have to be settled by the Supreme Court.

Jack Smith Appeals Judge Cannon Decision to Throw Out Trump Case

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 8/26/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith urged an appeals court to reverse U.S. District Cort Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of Donald Trump’s classified-documents case, arguing Attorney General Merrick Garland had clear authority to appoint Smith to lead the prosecution. Smith wrote Cannon ignored decades of precedent when she issued her decision to toss out the entire indictment, in which she said Smith was wrongfully appointed and wielded too much power for someone who was not in a Senate-confirmed position.

Trump Special Counsel Opts Against Mini-Trial Before Election

Yahoo News – Chris Strohm (Bloomberg News) | Published: 8/23/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith has decided against seeking a major hearing to present evidence in the election-interference case against Donald Trump before voters go to the polls, according to people familiar with the matter. The move means it is unlikely a so-called mini-trial, which would include evidence and testimony from possible blockbuster witnesses like former Vice President Mike Pence, would take place before the presidential election.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Horizon Ottawa to Face Legal Action Over Alleged Campaign Finance Violations

Yahoo News – Arthur White-Crummey (CBC) | Published: 8/29/2024

Ottawa’s election compliance audit committee decided to launch legal proceedings against a progressive advocacy group for alleged breaches of campaign finance law during the last municipal election. An audit found Horizon Ottawa possibly violated the Municipal Elections Act by failing to keep proper records, improperly collecting cash donations, and incurring expenses before it registered as a third-party advertiser.

Arizona – In Arizona Fake Electors Case, Judge Weighs New Protection for Defendants

MSN – Betsy Woodruff Swan (Politico) | Published: 8/27/2024

Allies of Donald Trump are using an unusual new Arizona law to urge a judge to throw out a criminal case charging them with fraudulently trying to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election result. The law was designed to stop prosecutors from bringing flimsy cases out of political animus. The defendants now trying to harness it include former Trump legal adviser John Eastman and other Trump confidants, as well as Arizona Republicans who falsely claimed Trump won Arizona and held themselves out as the state’s legitimate electors in the Electoral College.

Arizona – Arizona May Require Proof of Citizenship on State Voter Forms for Now

MSN – Justin Jouvenal and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/22/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for a provision of Arizona law that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in some circumstances, the first time the high court has weighed in on a voting dispute in the run-up to the presidential election. The order means Arizona election officials must reject state registration forms if voters do not provide documentation of citizenship. The justices kept on hold provisions of the law that could have disqualified voters who register with separate federal forms from casting ballots in a presidential contest in person or by mail.

California – DWP Officials Attended a Fancy Conference. Their Tab Was Paid with Mislabeled Invoices

MSN – Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/22/2024

Several Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) officials, including then-DWP board President Cynthia McClain-Hill, attended the International Utilities and Energy Conference last year. McClain-Hill opted for a $980 food, drink, and gifts package for the three days of the conference. Under the city’s ethics rules, McClain-Hill could not accept gifts of more than $100 annually from the conference host, Accenture, because the company has contracts with the DWP. Some DWP and Accenture staff found a way for the department to pick up the tab for the package by mislabeling an invoice for McClain-Hill.

California – A Pricey City Contract Was Slipping Away. Then a Call Was Made – and It May Be Linked to Oakland FBI Investigation

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 8/22/2024

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao will likely soon cast a tie-breaking vote, deciding whether the city will extend a lucrative contract with security company ABC Services, which has provided guards who check in and search visitors before they enter City Hall and other municipal properties. ABC Security’s owner has longstanding business ties to Mario Juarez, a businessperson who is a key figure in the FBI’s ongoing probe of Oakland politicians and businesses. Records reveal Juarez and Julie Wedge, also named in the FBI’s probe, lobbied on behalf of ABC Security two years ago when the company was at risk of not being considered for a new contract.

California – FBI Raids Homes of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and His Daughter

MSN – Salvador Hernandez and Hannah Fry Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/22/2024

Federal agents raided the homes of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and his daughter as well as several other properties in an investigation into the alleged improper use of taxpayer money. At least five locations, including several homes and a restaurant, were searched as part of allegations made against local nonprofit Viet America Society in a lawsuit brought by Orange County. The county alleges the nonprofit misused money it was awarded to feed the elderly and needy during the pandemic, instead spending the funds on “lavish purchases,” the lawsuit states.

California – San Bernardino County OKs $100,000 Cap for Political Party Committee Campaign Donations

Riverside Press-Enterprise – Michael Ricaforte | Published: 8/23/2024

San Bernardino County supervisors moved to significantly raise the limit on local campaign donations and, in what officials called an effort to promote transparency, created an oversight committee responsible for enforcing the new rules. The state’s limits act as the default for cities and counties that have not already enacted a contribution limit; however, cities and counties are permitted to set their own caps.

California – How California Became a New Center of Political Corruption

Yahoo News – Ralph Vartabedian (New York Times) | Published: 8/29/2024

Over the last 10 years, 576 public officials in California have been convicted on federal corruption charges, exceeding the number of cases in states better known for public corruption, including New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. A heavy concentration of power at City Halls, the receding presence of local news media, a population that often tunes out local politics, and a growing Democratic supermajority in state government have all helped insulate officeholders from damage, political analysts said.

Delaware – Delaware Election Officials Communicated with Lieutenant Governor’s Office Amid Finance Scandal

MSN – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 8/23/2024

State election officials in Delaware communicated directly with one or more aides in Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s office last year amid a scandal involving her campaign finance reports, according to emails. They show Elections Commissioner Anthony Albence, a fellow Democrat, wanted to keep Hall-Long’s office apprised of reporters’ questions about amendments to years of campaign finance reports in which Hall-Long failed to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans.

District of Columbia – FBI Says Trayon White Took Bribes on Tape. Convicting Him May Still Be Hard.

MSN – Peter Hermann and Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2024

The affidavit that alleges District of Columbia Council member Trayon White Sr. accepted tens of thousands in bribes appears damning. White was caught on camera taking envelopes full of cash as he vowed to use his influence to steer contracts to the man handing the money over, the affidavit alleges. But the legal case will be more complicated than the affidavit suggests, according to some legal analysts. Because of recent Supreme Court decisions limiting what counts as public corruption, federal prosecutors will have to meet a high bar to convince jurors that White broke the law.

Georgia – Democrats Sue to Block Georgia Rules That They Warn Will Block Finalization of Election Results

MSN – Jeff Amy and Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 8/26/2024

Democrats sued to block two recent rules adopted by Georgia’s State Election Board that could be used by county officials who want to refuse to certify an election, potentially causing delays in finalizing the state’s results. The lawsuit argues the rules violate a state law that makes certification a mandatory duty. It asks the judge to find the rules are invalid because the State Election Board, now dominated by allies of Donald Trump, is exceeding its legal authority.

Georgia – Former Atlanta CFO Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Embezzling Money, Falsifying Tax Records

WSB – Jonathan O’Brien and Miles Montgomery | Published: 8/27/2024

Former Atlanta Chief Financial Officer Jim Beard was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling money and falsifying tax records. Beard served as chief financial officer during former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed’s administration. He is one of the highest-ranking officials caught up in the City Hall corruption probe. According to the Department of Justice, in total, Beard stole tens of thousands of dollars from the city. He ordered two custom-built machine guns using a $2,641.90 check from the city, telling the manufacturer the machine guns were for the use of the Atlanta Police Department even though Beard took the guns to his own home.

Illinois – Seeking History, an Archivist Gathers What Protesters at the DNC Left Behind

MSN – Reis Thebault (Washington Post) | Published: 8/23/2024

Julie Wroblewski is the director of collections for the Chicago History Museum. In a city with a more explosive political convention history than anywhere else, she has been ensuring a record of what unfolds inside and outside the United Center at the 2024 Democratic convention is documented for posterity. Wroblewski and others have been considering what could be important to museum visitors in the decades to come. As society’s shared history becomes increasingly digital, living mostly on unstable and ephemeral formats, old-fashioned preservation work is even more important, Wroblewski said.

Illinois – Illinois Supreme Court Sides with GOP, Upholds Unconstitutionality of Ban on Slating Candidates

Yahoo News – Jeremy Gorner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 8/27/2024

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a judge’s ruling that found unconstitutional a law preventing the slating of legislative candidates for the November election in races where political parties did not field contenders. Before Democrats moved to change the law, local Democratic and Republican committees regularly filled vacancies for legislative spots on the general election ballot in races where no candidates from their party had run in the primary.

Maryland – Ex Pr. George’s Council Member Pleads Guilty to Theft Scheme, Perjury

MSN – Jasmine Hilton and Lateshia Beacham (Washington Post) | Published: 8/26/2024

Former Prince George’s County Council member Jamel Franklin pleaded guilty to dipping into his campaign coffers to make at least $130,000 in payments on rent, loans, credit cards, and cosmetic procedures for himself and a close friend and then falsifying campaign finance reports. He faces up to one year of incarceration under a plea agreement. As part of the agreement, Franklin must pay restitution of $133,168.67 to his campaign committee, which will be given to a charity of his choice.

Michigan – Michigan Sheriff Under Investigation for Hosting Trump Campaign Stop

MLive – Michael Kransz | Published: 8/23/2024

Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy is under investigation by the Michigan Bureau of Elections after he used his department to host Donald Trump for a campaign event. Trump spoke for about an hour inside an equipment and vehicle storage warehouse managed by the Sheriff’s Department. During the remarks, he railed against his Vice President Kamala Harris’ record on crime and immigration.

Nebraska – Nebraska Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Felon Voting Law

Yahoo News – Aaron Sanderford (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 8/28/2024

Nebraska Supreme Court justices peppered lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union and the state attorney general’s office with questions about whether the Legislature has the constitutional authority to restore the voting rights of people who committed felonies. Some justices asked whether the court should consider the broader constitutional question on voting rights and pardons or decide only whether Secretary of State Bob Evnen had the authority to avoid implementing a law the Legislature passed this spring.

Nevada – Ex-Politician Found Guilty of Murder in Vegas Reporter’s Stabbing Death

MSN – Eric Levenson (CNN) | Published: 8/28/2024

The former Nevada politician who was accused of fatally stabbing a Las Vegas investigative reporter after a series of critical stories was found guilty of murder in a trial that highlighted concerns around press safety. Robert Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, was convicted in the September 2022 death of Jeff Garman, a longtime Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter. Prosecutors alleged Telles killed German because he was angry about the reporter’s articles exposing turmoil in his little-known political office and was concerned about another upcoming article.

New Mexico – Political Group The New Mexico Project Still Fighting Disclosure

Yahoo News – Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/25/2024

Former gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca has claimed his fledgling nonprofit group, The New Mexico Project, has raised nearly $1 million. Exactly what has been done with the funds, and where they came from, became no clearer after a two-hour court hearing in which attorneys for the state Ethics Commission argued that under state law, The New Mexico Project is really a campaign committee and should divulge its independent expenditures and sources of funding.

North Carolina – She Was Accused of a Crime for Taking a Ballot Selfie. Now She’s Suing.

MSN – Kyle Melnick (Washington Post) | Published: 8/27/2024

After Susan Hogarth visited her local school to vote in North Carolina’s March primary election, she held the ballot under her chin and took a photo of herself with her phone. She posted the selfie from the voting booth on X. The next week, Hogarth received a letter from the North Carolina State Board of Elections that accused her of committing a misdemeanor, according to a new lawsuit. North Carolina is one of several states that prohibit taking photos or videos of filled-in ballots.

North Dakota – Ethics Commission Investigating Complaint Against State-Funded Filmmaker

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 8/21/2024

The North Dakota Ethics Commission is investigating whether a Bismarck filmmaker broke lobbying rules before securing grant money from the state Department of Commerce. A complaint alleges Daniel Bielinski, founder of Canticle Productions, acted as an unregistered lobbyist when he hosted Sen. Brad Bekkedahl at a private dinner and screening of his film “End of the Rope.” The complaint said roughly two weeks after the film screening, Bekkedahl alluded on the Senate floor that a $600,000 grant included in the Commerce Department’s budget bill was intended to go to Canticle Productions.

Ohio – Ohio Lawsuit Seeks Rewrite of Redistricting Ballot Language Dubbed ‘Biased, Inaccurate, Deceptive’

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 8/22/2024

The Ohio Supreme Court should step in on behalf of voters and order a rewrite of ballot language for a redistricting measure that “may be the most biased, inaccurate, deceptive, and unconstitutional” the state has ever seen, argues a lawsuit. The proposed amendment calls for replacing the state’s troubled existing map-making system with a 15-person citizen-led commission of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Members would be selected by retired judges.

Oklahoma – As Oklahoma Considers Loosening Campaign Finance Rules, Outside Groups Run Wild

MSN – Clifton Adcock (The Frontier) | Published: 8/15/2024

Independent expenditure groups continue to shower Oklahoma politicians with millions of dollars as the state eyes ways to rein in the secretive groups’ spending. The financial support from these shadowy groups added up to more than the candidate spent through their own campaigns during the June 18 primary, state Ethics Commission records show.

Oregon – Records Reveal Major Oversights in Democratic Party of Oregon’s Misreporting of $500,000 Contribution

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 8/27/2024

Key leaders of the Oregon Democratic Party overlooked indications the actual source of a $500,000 donation was a cryptocurrency executive, not a financial transaction firm the organization named as a donor. The state Democratic Party reported the contributor of the largest ever donation to the party was Prime Trust. Following media inquiries, the group’s executive director admitted weeks later the contribution had come from Nishad Singh, then director of engineering at now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, and employees had not checked carefully enough into the source of the contribution.

Oregon – Portland Elections Office Investigating Rene Gonzalez for Using Taxpayer Funds on Wikipedia Edits

Portland Mercury – Courtney Vaughn | Published: 8/19/2024

Portland’s Elections Office is investigating potential campaign finance violations by city Commissioner Rene Gonzalez after receiving three complaints about the commissioner’s expenditure of $6,400 in city funds to edit his Wikipedia page. The expense raises questions about whether the sitting commissioner and mayoral candidate used city money for his own personal and political benefit during the thick of campaign season.

Tennessee – Judges Dismiss Suit Alleging Tennessee’s Political Maps Discriminate Against Communities of Color

MSN – Kimberly Kruesi (Associated Press) | Published: 8/22/2024

A federal judicial panel dismissed a lawsuit alleging Tennessee’s U.S. House maps and those for the state Senate amount to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The three judges on the panel argued there was another clear motivation behind the state’s Republican legislative supermajority by pointing to “naked partisanship” as the likely “straightforward explanation.”

Texas – Latino Civil Rights Group Demands Inquiry into Texas Voter Fraud Raids

DNyuz – Edgar Sandoval (New York Times) | Published: 8/25/2024

A civil rights group is asking the Department of Justice to open an investigation into a series of raids conducted on Latino voting activists and political operatives as part of a sprawling voter fraud inquiry by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The League of United Latin American Citizens said many of those targeted were Democratic leaders and election volunteers, and some were older residents. Gabriel Rosales, director of the group’s Texas chapter, said officers took cellphones, computers, and documents. He said the raids were an effort to suppress Latino voters.