LobbyComply Blog

Trump Fires Members of Bipartisan Elections Commission

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2026

President Trump dismantled a long-standing bipartisan elections board, four months before a midterm contest that will determine which party controls Congress. Trump dismissed members of the Elections Assistance Commission less than two weeks after the Supreme Court gave the president broad leeway to reshape boards that were designed to be independent. Congress created the panel to strengthen and secure elections in response to the challenges of the 2000 contest.

Trump’s Attorneys, Justice Dept. Leaders Misused Courts in IRS Case, Judge Says

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck and Mark Berman (Washington Post) | Published: 7/13/2026

A federal judge denounced President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS as an improper attempt to “manipulate” the court process and legitimize a controversial deal that afforded him significant tax protections and sought to establish a nearly $1.8 billion fund for alleged victims of politicized prosecutions. U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams suggested that Trump’s attorneys and top Justice Department officials who signed off on that agreement could face professional sanctions. She barred them from citing any provision of their private resolution in future official proceedings.

FCC Officials Took Pricey Gifts from Paramount as the Company Needed Approval for Billion-Dollar Deals

MSN – Corey Johnson (ProPublica) | Published: 7/15/2026

Despite regulating broadcast media, Federal Communications Commission members have accepted expensive tickets to the Kennedy Center honors gala from CBS or its parent company, now Paramount. Ethics experts say that by accepting the gifts, the commissioners are compromising the agency’s impartiality and should avoid acting on Paramount’s pending merger.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Dunleavy Vetoes Campaign Contribution Limits, Allowing Alaska Ballot Initiative to Proceed

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 7/10/2026

Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill that would have enacted new campaign contribution limits in Alaska ahead of the November election. Lawmakers had narrowly passed the bill in the final hours of the legislative session that ended in May, looking to preempt a ballot measure that seeks to reinstate limits on contributions to candidates, after previous limits were invalidated by a federal court in 2021. The veto now assures that voters will be asked in August whether they would like to reinstate limits on campaign contributions.

Arizona – Corp Comm Incumbents Accept ‘Prohibited Donations’ Despite Claims to the Contrary

Arizona Capitol Times – Reagan Priest | Published: 7/15/2026

Two Arizona Corporation Commissioners seeking reelection have said they are not influenced by the utility companies they regulate. But campaign finance reports show they have each accepted small-dollar donations from individuals with vested interests in their decisions, potentially violating the commission’s own code of ethics. Commissioners Nick Myers and Kevin Thompson have outpaced their opponents in taking contributions from utility executives, lobbyists, energy industry executives, real estate developers, and attorneys who appear before the commission, the reports show.

Hawaii – New State Laws Enacted to Deter Corruption in Hawaii Government

Yahoo News – Andrew Gomes (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) | Published: 7/11/2026

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed three bills related to improving trust in and honest behavior from local government officials. In a signing ceremony, the governor highlighted one measure that extends the statute of limitations under state law for bribery prosecutions against public officials. Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who authored the bill, said it was needed due to a cloud hanging over state government after Attorney General Anne Lopez announced an investigation into allegations involving an unnamed “influential” state legislator who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a paper bag.

Maine – How the Supreme Court Campaign Finance Ruling Is Altering Maine’s Ongoing Legal Battle

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/10/2026

The PAC that sued Maine over its 2024 law limiting contributions to super PACs are arguing the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent campaign finance ruling affirms their case. But the other side argues the ruling, which effectively eliminated limits on coordinated party expenditures, is not relevant to the Maine case.

Montana – Lawyers Give Opening Statements in Ellsworth Trial

Yahoo News – Jordan Hansen (Daily Montanan) | Published: 7/15/2026

Attorneys presented opening arguments in the trial of former Montana Sen. Jason Ellsworth, who is accused of abusing his power while in office to give an approximately $170,000 no-bid contract to a friend. Ellsworth was stripped of nearly all privileges as a political official last year, though the Senate stopped short of expelling him. He is charged with official misconduct and could face up to a $500 fine and six months in prison.

North Carolina – Free Charlotte Speedway Passes for NC Leaders Went Undisclosed. That’s Going to Change

Yahoo News – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 7/15/2026

The Charlotte Motor Speedway has had little difficulty winning favorable legislation from North Carolina lawmakers over the years without the need of a lobbyist. The speedway has not had a registered lobbyist since 2016. But it has continued to give state lawmakers and other officials special access passes worth several hundred dollars to each of its two marquee races without reporting those expenses to the secretary of state, which regulates lobbying. The passes continued after 2019, but the reporting stopped – until now.

Oregon – Director of Oregon Ethics Commission to Face External Inquiry into Alleged Ethics Violations

Yahoo News – Shaanth Nanguneri (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 7/10/2020

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission agreed to ask another state agency to probe allegations of ethics violations against its executive director, as commissioners debate the best way to combat what they describe as a rise in politically motivated complaints. The commission has declined to release details surrounding its allegations, and it faces a 60-day timeline to complete the review and present findings to commissioners to determine if there is cause for a deeper investigation.

National/Federal

Alibaba Gets Reprieve on Lobbying Ban Tied to DoD Blacklist

MSN – Kate O’Keeffe (Bloomberg) | Published: 7/6/2026

A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to give Alibaba Group a reprieve from a law that caused all its lobbyists to drop it as a client while she considers the constitutionality of the measure, in a case set to test the U.S.’s ability to curtail Chinese companies’ activities. Washington’s most powerful lobbying firms rushed to sever ties with Alibaba and other Chinese tech giants after a new law targeting entities allegedly aiding China’s military took effect.

Trump Ethics Disclosure Throws Curveball at Senate Crypto Talks

MSN – Mark Schoeff Jr. (Roll Call) | Published: 7/2/2026

The newly disclosed scale of President Trump’s personal cryptocurrency-related profits since taking office last year comes at a sensitive moment for Senate negotiations on a major digital assets bill that Republican leaders want to bring to the floor in July. Trump’s potential crypto conflicts have been a sticking point in negotiations over a crypto market structure bill that is pending in the Senate.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona Supreme Court Upholds Voter-Approved Anti-‘Dark Money’ Law

MSN – Taylor Seely (Arizona Republic) | Published: 6/30/2026

The Arizona Supreme Court upheld the state’s voter-approved law that requires people who spend thousands of dollars to influence the outcome of elections to identify themselves. The court said the challengers failed to show how the Voters’ Right to Know Act was unconstitutional in all or even most cases and donations to fund campaign media are not private affairs protected from disclosure. The ruling is not an entire loss for the conservative challengers. The justices allowed one of their claims to continue in trial court, and that could create a blueprint for donors to challenge similar laws in other states.

Florida – They Gave James Uthmeier’s Campaign $25,000. Then His Office Stepped in to Help

MSN – Lawrence Mower (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/7/2026

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has used his office to intervene on behalf of donors since taking office last year, inserting the state’s lawyers into civil disputes to help developers and car dealers. In at least three separate instances, the attorney general’s office got involved in a legal battle soon after a donor gave $25,000 to Uthmeier’s campaign. He also helped expunge the criminal history of a wealthy businessperson’s daughter this year.

Georgia – Influential Georgia Evangelical Group Fined for Ethics Violations

Yahoo News – Ross Williams (Georgia Recorder) | Published: 7/9/2026

Frontline Policy, an influential conservative lobbying group in Georgia, is facing $17,500 in fines in connection to complaints over unregistered lobbying and failing to file more than $380,000 in mandatory disclosure reports. Since its founding in 2021, Frontline has touted its role in helping pass legislation. But according to the state ethics commission’s findings, Frontline skirted the law some of the time that it was lobbying legislators. It was previously fined more than $4,000 by the commission for violating lobbying laws.

Hawaii – Luke Campaign Violations Referred to AG For Possible Prosecution

Honolulu Civil Beat – Madeleine Valera and Chad Blair | Published: 7/8/2026

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission voted to refer a set a set of alleged campaign finance violations by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s campaign to the state attorney general’s office for possible prosecution. The commission’s executive director, Kristin Izumi-Nitao, filed the complaint in May accusing the campaign, Friends of Sylvia Luke, of mishandling funds in 2021 and 2022. It alleges eight counts of filing false reports and four counts of unauthorized handling of campaign funds. Luke has been on unpaid leave since April after becoming the target of a bribery investigation.

Maine – Graham Platner Ends U.S. Senate Campaign in Maine

MSN – Alexei Koseff and Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2026

Graham Platner, the populist political newcomer who Democrats had hoped could flip a critical U.S. Senate seat in Maine, ended his campaign after a woman he previously dated publicly accused him of sexual assault. Even as he withdrew from the race, Platner remained insistent that the accusations against him, as well as other controversies dating back to October, were false and part of a larger campaign “by the establishment to put structural pressure on us.” The development injects fresh chaos into Democrats’ battle to retake the Senate in November.

Mississippi – Former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba Pleads Guilty in Jackson Bribery Scandal

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Mississippi Clarion Ledger) | Published: 7/6/2026

A week after Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens pleaded guilty, former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba followed suit, as he admitted guilt in federal court in a bribery case that has hung over Jackson for nearly two years. Lumumba had consistently denied wrongdoing after being indicted in November 2024 and was scheduled to stand trial alongside former Jackson City Councilperson Aaron Banks, who also pleaded guilty an hour later.

Missouri – What Exactly Does Ty Masterson Do at Koch-Funded Office? Rival Calls It a ‘No-Show Job’

MSN – Matthew Kelly (Kansas City Star) | Published: 7/8/2026

Kansas Republican governor hopeful Ty Masterson has two offices. One is on the third floor of the Capitol, where he presides as Senate president. The other is on the campus of Wichita State University. Before it opened in 2017, Masterson was named director of “GoCreate, a Koch Collaborative” where students and community members can design, 3D print, laser cut, weld, saw, and stitch their creations into being. The details of his employment arrangement with the university, including the source of his privately funded salary, are opaque.

North Carolina – More NC Lawmakers Identified as Attending Bourbon Trip, Search Warrant Says

Yahoo News – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 7/6/2026

A newly released search warrant identifies two more North Carolina lawmakers who attended at least one of two bourbon tours in Kentucky, and one of them is the current co-chair of the House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee. The warrant is the second made public in a probe by the State Bureau of Investigation into a nonprofit known as Greater Carolina, which hosted the trips. Four lobbyists face a misdemeanor charge of violating the state’s ban on gifts to lawmakers.

National/Federal

Supreme Court Says Fed’s Cook Can Keep Her Job for Now, but It Upholds Other Trump Firings

MSN – Mark Sherman (Associated Press) | Published: 6/29/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court dramatically expanded presidential power, upholding President Trump’s firings of the heads of independent federal agencies with one important exception: the Federal Reserve. The justices allowed Fed governor Lisa Cook to stay in her job while she fights the president’s effort to fire her over allegations of mortgage fraud, which she has denied. But other than at the nation’s central bank, the court held that presidents have free rein to fire agency heads at will, despite federal laws that require a cause for such dismissals and a 91-year-old decision that had limited executive authority.

Supreme Court Loosens Campaign Finance Laws, Opening Up Flood of Midterm Cash

Yahoo News – Jessica Piper and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 6/30/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down limits on coordinated spending between candidates and political parties, which will fundamentally change how tens of millions of dollars are spent in congressional elections. The decision will have an almost immediate impact on the midterms. Removing the limit on coordinated spending effectively gives candidates direct control over a far greater amount of money being spent on their races. It is also likely to increase the flood of political advertising that hits the airwaves each fall. The ruling held that the limits violate the First Amendment.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan Can Face Challenge from Other Dan Sullivan, Court Says

MSN – Lisa Kashinsky (Politico) | Published: 6/29/2026

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan can appear on the ballot as a Republican alongside incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, a ruling that reverses a top election official’s decision to disqualify the challenger. The new ruling appears to end a bizarre saga that has dominated Alaska politics for weeks. It could hurt Sen. Sullivan’s effort to fend off a challenge from his Democratic opponent, former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, in a contest that could decide control of the Senate.

Indiana – Hogsett’s Former Chief of Staff Quickly Took Job at Major City Contractor

MSN – Jordan Smith (Indianapolis Star) and Emily Hopkins (Mirror Indy) | Published: 6/25/2026

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former top deputy in city government is now working at an engineering firm run by major Hogsett donors that has received contracts worth up to $62 million since the mayor took office. The top Hogsett official, former chief of staff Dan Parker, signed many of those contracts himself while he led the Department of Public Works from 2017 to 2022. Parker’s move to American Structurepoint comes as one of the company’s contracts with the city is facing scrutiny for being too expensive.

Kentucky – KY Supreme Court Rules Restructuring of Ethics, Fair Boards Unconstitutional

MSN – Beth Musgrave and Hannah Pinski (Lexington Herald Leader) | Published: 6/26/2026

The Kentucky Supreme Court said two bills passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly giving other officer holders the ability to appoint members of the State Fair Board and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission were unconstitutional because it removed executive branch oversight. Gov. Andy Beshear challenged the General Assembly’s changes, arguing the state constitution requires separation of powers and the governor must retain oversight of executive branch operations.

Maryland – Casino Lobbyists Wrote Maryland Faming Regulators’ Letter to Feds

WBFF – Patrick Hauf (Spotlight on Maryland) | Published: 6/30/2026

Maryland gaming regulators urged federal officials last year to crack down on sports prediction markets using a letter drafted by casino lobbyists, according to public records. The records raise questions about the independence of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, which is responsible for regulating the state’s gambling industry but relied on language written by the industry’s chief lobbying organization before sending an official policy position to federal regulators.

Michigan – Ad Targeting US House Hopeful Prompts Debate Over Reach of Michigan AI Law

USA Today – Beth LeBlanc (Detroit News) | Published: 6/24/2026

An ad targeting a candidate for the U.S. House is prompting new questions about state limits on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in political ads, with the Michigan Bureau of Elections maintaining the state law does not apply to federal races. A complaint alleges the ad violates a state law passed in 2023 that requires political ads using AI to disclose as much within the ad. It is unclear whether the ad was generated using AI, though the video footage in the ad is clearly manipulated.

Mississippi – The Supreme Court Upholds Grace Periods for Mail-In Ballots, Siding Against the GOP

NPR – Ashley Lopez | Published: 6/29/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi law that allows election officials to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days after it. The ruling is a loss for the Republican Party, which brought the case, ahead of this year’s midterm elections. These grace periods have historically provided voters time to get their absentee ballots to officials in case there are any issues with the Postal Service, as well as any other unforeseen issues, such as weather events. But Republicans have been fighting these grace periods in recent years, an effort led by President Trump.

New Jersey – New Jersey Lawmakers Steered State Money to Employers, Relatives and Clients

MSN – Daniel Han (Politico) | Published: 6/26/2026

A media examination of similar last-minute spending additions tucked into New Jersey’s three most recent state budgets found one lawmaker requested state money for a nonprofit founded and run by his aunt, a grant worth roughly four times the organization’s annual revenue. Other lawmakers sent money to local governments where they are on the payroll or have financial ties. The appropriations raise questions in a state where political connections have long been a form of currency.

Ohio – Judge Dismisses $20M SEC Lawsuit Against Ex-FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/29/2026

A federal judge dismissed a $20 million securities fraud lawsuit against former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones over his role in the $60 million scandal that prosecutors have called the largest bribery scheme in Ohio history. Jones was accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of misleading investors about bribing former House Speaker Larry Householder, who used $60 million in FirstEnergy money to secure the passage of House Bill 6. The law provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout for two aging nuclear power plants.

National/Federal

Judge Blocks Use of Federal Database to Check Citizenship, Saying It Could Wrongly Purge Voters

Associated Press News – Ali Swenson and Fatima Hussein | Published: 6/22/2026

A federal judge ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections can no longer be used. U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Hobbs Vetoes State Contract Transparency Measure Amid GOP ‘Pay-to-Play’ Allegations

Arizona Capitol Times – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 6/23/2026

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed financial disclosure legislation that was inspired by controversy over a 60 percent increase in a state contract awarded by her Department of Child Safety. The bill would have required any company bidding on state contracts to immediately disclose any donations made to the governor, to any campaign committees or inaugural funds, and to any entity that “advocates for the election of the governor or for the defeat of an electoral opponent of the governor.”

California – S.F. Lawmaker Wants City-Funded Nonprofits to Report Their Lobbying Efforts at City Hall

MSN – J.D. Morris (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 6/24/2026

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey will propose an ordinance that would eliminate a provision in city law that exempts nonprofits from local rules requiring organizations to register their lobbyists and publicly report when they seek to influence officials at City Hall. Dorsey said the legislation was intended to create more transparency around how city-funded nonprofits are allocating their resources.

California – Proposal to Limit Lobbying in City of San Diego Politics Moves Forward

MSN – City News Service | Published: 6/24/2026

The San Diego City Council’s Rules Committee voted unanimously to direct staff to begin drafting a proposed ethics reform package aimed at lobbyists and dark money. “[Current disclosure rules] do not fully capture modern influence campaigns, including paid mailers, texts, digital ads, mass communications, and other outside spending designed to shape public opinion and pressure elected officials on city decisions,” Councilperson Sean Elo-Rivera said.

Indiana – Hogsett Vowed to Fight Insiders. His Campaign Advanced Their Interests Behind Closed Doors

Yahoo News – Emily Hopkins and Peter Blanchard (Mirror Indy) and Hayleigh Colombo (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 6/23/2026

A media investigation found Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s campaign acted behind closed doors to advance the interests of the insiders who bankrolled his mayoral bids. On multiple occasions, for instance, Hogsett’s top campaign fundraiser arranged for wish lists of donors’ preferred city contracts to be hand-delivered to the city’s public works chief at the time, according to a person familiar with the arrangement.

Maryland – Maryland Lawmaker Helped Launch State Fund That Bankrolls His Nonprofit

WBFF – Patrick Hauf (Spotlight on Maryland) | Published: 6/17/2026

A Maryland lawmaker helped establish an energy fund that later sent about $19 million in state tax dollars to his nonprofit, raising concerns from some experts and a fellow lawmaker about ethics and conflicts-of-interest. Records show Civic Works, the Baltimore nonprofit led by Del. Dana Stein, received $18.8 million through the Strategic Energy Investment Fund between 2009 and 2025.

New Hampshire – Ayotte Signs Law Raising Cap on Anonymous Campaign Donations

Yahoo News – Ethan DeWitt (New Hampshire Bulletin) | Published: 6/23/2026

This election season, donors will be able to contribute more money to New Hampshire candidates while staying anonymous under a new law signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte. Senate Bill 405 raises the total contribution cap for an anonymous donor to $200 per election cycle. The change puts New Hampshire in a small group of states that allow anonymous contributions up to $200.

New York – Chief of Staff to Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams, 3 Others Charged in Federal Bribery Probe

MSN – Dave Collins, Jake Offenhartz, Michael Sisak, and Alanna Durkin Richer (Associated Press) | Published: 6/24/2026

A chief of staff to former New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged with accepting more than $100,000 in bribes to steer a lucrative migrant shelter contract to a Queens hotel. Frank Carone’s arrest was the latest in a string of corruption allegations that have rocked the one-term mayor and his inner circle. It came the same day federal authorities executed search warrants related to a separate bribery investigation involving high-ranking police officials under Adams, the latest sign that prosecutors are continuing to probe the previous administration.

Texas – Husband of Fort Worth Mayor Listed as Lobbyist for Data Center Industry Group

MSN – Harrison Mantas (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) | Published: 6/22/2026

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker’s husband, David, is listed as having been a lobbyist for a data center industry trade group since January. The Data Center Coalition describes itself as representing and advancing the interests of the data center community through policy advocacy, informing public officials, and promoting the benefits of the industry. The city is considering new rules to regulate data center development amid increasing opposition from residents. David Parker serves as the managing director of government affairs and strategy with the lobbying firm Longbow Partners.

Washington – $35M Campaign Finance Fine Against Meta Upheld by WA Supreme Court

Yahoo News – Jake Goldstein-Street (Washington State Standard) | Published: 6/18/2026

Facebook’s parent company must pay the largest campaign finance fine in Washington history, the state Supreme Court affirmed. Meta urged the justices to declare a state law unconstitutional under the First Amendment to avert the $35 million penalty. It repeatedly had not provided required records for digital political advertisements hosted on its platforms.

In the upcoming months, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing a code of conduct for members of city councils and of local boards, including Toronto. On June 2, Bill 9, a bill to change the ethics framework of the province’s city councils, received royal assent and became law. The law now provides the Lieutenant Governor in Council with the authority to make regulations setting a code of conduct for members of the province’s municipal councils and boards. The Act also requires the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario to perform certain functions with respect to a city’s Integrity Commissioner, including providing education and training to the local Commissioner. Additionally, Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner may conduct inquiries, refer matters back to the local commissioner, and recommend that a member’s seat be declared vacant and require a city council to vote on such recommendation.

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National/Federal

Secretive Super PAC Funding is Skyrocketing in Primaries

MSN – Jessica Piper and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 6/14/2026

A record number of groups are exploiting a gap in campaign finance law to flood this year’s primary elections with money, without disclosing their donors until long after the race is over. The groups are taking advantage of the campaign finance calendar. A super PAC formed after the last pre-election FEC deadline can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money in the crucial final days of an election without disclosing its donors until afterward. The practice has been used for years, but never to the degree of this year’s midterms.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Formally Disqualifies Namesake Challenger to Sen. Dan Sullivan from Appearing on the Ballot

Yahoo News – Alex DeMarban (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 6/15/2026

The head of the Alaska Division of Elections said the state will not allow Dan J. Sullivan, the namesake challenger to Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, to appear on the August 18 primary ballot. Carol Beecher said in a letter to the challenger that she believes he filed in an effort to confuse voters. The National Republican Senatorial Committee urged state officials to keep Dan J. Sullivan’s name off the ballot, arguing he had worked with Democrats or their supporters to run for office in an attempt to draw votes from the senator to benefit top challenger Mary Peltola.

California – Newsom Fined by Campaign Finance Watchdog Just Prior to DOJ Probe Announcement

Yahoo News – Haley Parsley (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 6/16/2026

The California Fair Political Practices Commission fined Gov. Gavin Newsom $31,500 for failing to report millions of dollars in charitable donations made on his behalf on time. The contributions, totaling more than $5.6 million across 35 donors, are so-called behested payments. That means Newsom solicited funding for those specific groups from outside companies, including major corporations like BlackRock, Lockheed Martin, and Apple.

Colorado – Denver Tightens Lobbying Rules, Adds ‘Cooling Off’ Period

Denver Gazette – Deborah Grigsby | Published: 6/15/2026

Lobbyists seeking to influence the city and county of Denver will now face new requirements after the city council voted unanimously to amend the law by adding disclosure regulations and a 12-month waiting period for former elected and cabinet members. Lobbyists will now have to file bi-monthly activity reports, disclosing the clients they represent, how much they were paid by each, and the officials lobbied. The law takes effective January 1, 2027.

Kentucky – Ethics Commission Nixes Complaint Against KY Lawmaker Over Lobbying Interests Payments

Yahoo News – McKenna Horsley (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 6/11/2026

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint filed against state Sen. Julie Raque Adams regarding compensation she received from a nonprofit that was funded exclusively by lobbying interests in recent years. Kentucky Strong, Inc., had paid Raque Adams $80,500 between January 2023 and January 2026. Those payments were the group’s only expenses during that time.

Michigan – Lee Chatfield’s Wife Avoids Prison with Guilty Plea in Michigan Corruption Probe

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 6/16/2026

The wife of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield pleaded guilty to embezzling from a political nonprofit, more than two years after both were charged as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe. Under a plea agreement, Stephanie Chatfield will face no jail time. Instead, she will get probation after pleading guilty to embezzling between $200 and $1,000 from the nonprofit. Lee Chatfield still faces 13 felony counts, including allegedly “conducting a criminal enterprise,” which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Montana – How Unidentifiable Donors Are Funding Montana’s Anti-Dark Money Initiative

Montana Free Press – Victoria Eavis | Published: 6/11/2026

The Montana-based group promoting a ballot initiative that would make campaign finance more transparent obscures its own financial backers with a murky fundraising structure, according to campaign finance filings. A citizen’s initiative known as The Montana Plan would prohibit political spending by “artificial persons” such as nonprofits, corporations, trusts, trade associations, and others. Until late April, nearly all of The Montana Plan’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations have come from a nonprofit which does not have to disclose its donors.

New York – NY Elections Officials Can No Longer Choose Voting Equipment While Paid by Vendors

Yahoo News – Timothy Fanning (Albany Times Union) | Published: 6/12/2026

For years, New York elections officials could help oversee contracts for voting equipment while maintaining financial relationships with the companies selling it. One incident surfaced in 2018, when Michael Ryan, executive director of New York City’s Board of Elections, resigned from a paid advisory position with a major voting-machine vendor that did business with the agency he helped run. Now, state officials are attempting to close that loophole.

Ohio – FBI Searches Office of Ohio Group That Supports Voter Registration Efforts

MSN – Claudia Lauer and Alanna Durkin Richer (Associated Press) | Published: 6/12/2026

FBI agents searched the office of an Ohio group that supports voter registration efforts, seizing documents and computer files. It is the latest action by the Trump administration connected to voting or election operations in the states, and it comes in a state that is expected to have hotly contested races this fall for governor and U.S. Senate. The focus of the probe was unclear, but a person familiar with the matter said investigators were examining potential fraud violations.

Oregon – Political Contribution Limits in Oregon Take Effect in January – But It’s Unclear If Election Officials Will Be Ready

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 6/16/2026

State officials say they are rushing to carry out a 2024 law intended to limit the amount and increase the transparency of political spending in Oregon. But with just six months left until key provisions take effect, those officials warned lawmakers that unexpected challenges could lead to a botched rollout. By law, the secretary of state’s office must begin carrying out several parts of the new statute by next January.

The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices proposed routine technical changes to update the commission’s rules after the passage of two campaign finance bills this session. Proposed updates include guidance on the disclosure required for paid communications containing misleading manipulated media of a candidate and a threshold increase for filing independent expenditure disclosure reports. The commission will hold a hearing on June 24 and will accept comments through July 8.

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Make sure you understand pay-to-play regulations in your state. See all 50 states and nearly 300 jurisdictions in our online guidebooks. Check them out here.

The Canadian federal Commissioner of Lobbying Nancy Bélanger has submitted her annual report to the Parliament of Canada for 2025-26. The report, which covers registrations, lobbyist activity reports, compliance, and other issues concerning the commissioner’s office, also highlights the implementation of a new registration threshold and the start of the statutory review of the Lobbying Act. A new interpretation bulletin was issued in July of 2025, lowering the registration threshold for organizations and corporations. That threshold became effective on January 19, 2026. The report details the October 10, 2025, briefing session about the current lobbying law, which Commissioner Bélanger had with the Parliament through its Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI). It also details the statutory review of the Lobbying Act begun on March 9, 2026, by the ETHI with Commissioner Bélanger as the first witness. Belanger discussed her 21 recommendations for modernizing and improving the federal lobbying law. This annual report is required to be filed within three months after the end of each fiscal year by the commissioner about the administration of the Lobbying Act during that fiscal year. 

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Across US., Nonprofits Are Making Potentially Illegal Campaign Donations

MSN – Emilie Munson (Albany Times Union) | Published: 6/5/2026

Across the United States, hundreds of nonprofits in the last decade made donations to candidates, parties, and committees through contributions which may have violated federal law, an Albany Times Union investigation found. The list includes nonprofits with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual income and well-known names like the American Heart Association. Their money flowed to right- and left-leaning candidates and special interest groups.

Big Money at the Ballpark: Top K Street firms, corporate giants sponsor Congressional Baseball Game

OpenSecrets – Jonathan Salant | Published: 6/10/2026

The sponsors of the recent Congressional Baseball Game included the second- and third-biggest lobbying firms by revenue, three of the top four spenders on lobbying, and two companies that recently have drawn unwanted attention from members of Congress. Lobbying firms, trade associations, and corporations spent as little as $1,000 or as much as $100,000 to put their names before the lawmakers and staff members who handle their issues, and even more to hold receptions at Nationals Park.

ActBlue CEO Invokes Fifth Amendment Repeatedly in Testimony to Congress

Seattle Times – Reid Epsten (New York Times) | Published: 6/10/2026

The chief executive of ActBlue, whose lawyers warned her that she might have misled Congress about how the Democratic fundraising organization vetted its foreign donations, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights and declined to answer questions from a Republican-led House committee. Nearly 23,000 candidates and groups used the site in 2025, ActBlue has said, raising almost $1.8 billion from 52 million contributions. Federal election law prohibits foreign citizens or people who are not permanent residents from donating directly to federal candidates or PACs.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Barbara Lee’s Private Fundraising Could Get Tricky Under a Strong Mayor System

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 6/9/2026

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee endorsed a plan to give future mayors much more power over city business. That could pose serious conflicts-of-interest if current rules regarding behested payments are not changed. Behested payments are perfectly legal, but officials must report to state or local regulators when they raise money this way. Other Oakland mayors and council members have taken advantage of behested payments to fund pet projects and programs with private dollars.

Illinois – Illinois Lawmakers Lead US in Spending Campaign Cash for Childcare – and One Dog

Yahoo News – Olivia Olander (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 6/7/2026

Five years after Illinois joined other states in allowing politicians to use campaign funds for childcare, a handful of state lawmakers from Chicago have become some of the nation’s biggest users of laws designed to encourage parents, particularly mothers of young children, to run for office, according to an organization tracking the funds. But which lawmakers have made the most use of the measure, and to what degree they have tapped into their campaign funds, has sparked concerns about whether the legislation is working as intended.

Louisiana – Louisiana Lawmakers Pass Bill That Could Vacate a Colleague’s Ethics Fine

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 6/4/2026

Louisiana lawmakers unanimously approved a bill that could allow at least one of its members to dodge a state ethics fine. The Senate inserted language into House Bill 250 that changes an existing law dictating when candidates must file public personal financial disclosure forms with the state. The initial law went into effect August 1, 2024, but the Senate change would make it retroactive to January 1, 2023. That earlier date could get state Rep. Steven Jackson out of having to pay a late fee of at least $1,000 for failing to file his own personal financial disclosure form.

Maine – Democrat Graham Platner Will Try to Unseat GOP Sen. Susan Collins in a Critical Senate Matchup

Yahoo News – Patrick White and Kimberlee Kruesi (Associated Press) | Published: 6/9/2026

Graham Platner won the Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, channeling voter frustration over the high cost of living and overcoming revelations about his past to set up a high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Democrats see the race as a top opportunity to flip a GOP-held seat and a must-win as the party tries to claim control of the Senate in November. Platner’s expected win in the primary came after days of questions about his past personal conduct, particularly his relationships with women, that threatened to undermine enthusiasm on the left over his candidacy.

New York – Former High-Ranking NY ITS Official Admits Violations, Will Pay Fine

MSN – Brendan Lyons (Albany Times Union) | Published: 6/10/2026

A former high-ranking official in the New York Office of Information Technology Services admitted violating the Public Officers Law and will pay a $5,500 fine to settle administrative charges that had been pursued by the Commission on Ethics in Lobbying in Government and the state inspector general’s office. The allegations stemmed from Rajiv Rao’s participation as a guest and speaker at multiple events that state authorities said were “hosted and paid for by a registered lobbyist and attended by clients of the lobbyist.”

Ohio – New Charges Against Ex-FirstEnergy Executives Could Reshape Second Corruption Trial

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/8/2026

New criminal charges filed against two former FirstEnergy executives could dramatically change how prosecutors present one of Ohio’s largest public corruption scandals in an expected second trial. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and the company’s former top lobbyist, Michael Dowling, still face accusations they bribed Sam Randazzo just before he became chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. But a new indictment broadens the case, accusing the pair of participating in a wider scheme that also involved the passage of House Bill 6, which gave FirstEnergy a $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout of two failing nuclear plants.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Agency to Consider Regulating Use of AI in Political Campaigns

Yahoo News – Emma Murphy and Courtney Bell (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 6/4/2026

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission will consider ways to require disclosure when artificial intelligence (AI) is used in campaigns. The agency will explore options for regulating the tool, such as defining AI, requiring disclaimers when it is used, exemptions for parody or satire, and addressing concerns about First Amendment rights or protected political speech. Executive Director Lee Anne Bruce Boone said they would likely work “in tandem” with state lawmakers as there are parts of this issue that are outside the commission’s jurisdiction and need to be addressed in state law.

National/Federal

He Hasn’t Been Seen in Months. The Congressional Record Disagrees

MSN – Nina Heller (Roll Call) | Published: 6/2/2026

It has been nearly three months since he last cast a vote on the House floor, but U.S. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. has been keeping busy, or at least trying to look like he is. In the 89 days since he last voted, Kean has also disclosed stock trades and introduced legislation. Five speeches under his name have appeared in the Congressional Record. Staff in congressional offices continue to work even when their bosses do not, which is nothing new. But Kean’s disappearance has raised long-overdue questions about transparency on the Hill, some experts say.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Supreme Court Allows Alabama to Use Congressional Map Favoring Republicans in This Year’s Elections

Yahoo News – Mark Sherman (Associated Press) | Published: 6/2/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Alabama to use a congressional map favoring Republicans in this year’s elections, blocking a lower court ruling that the redistricting plan intentionally discriminates against Black people. The justices granted the state’s emergency appeal to use a map it adopted three years ago that has a majority-Black population in just one of its seven congressional districts. The three liberal justices dissented.

Colorado – Gov. Jared Polis Vetoes Bill Requiring Disclosure from Administration Lobbyists

Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 5/29/2026

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a bill that would have required executive branch lobbyists to follow much of the same disclosure rules that already govern other lobbyists at the Capitol. Lobbyists for organizations are required to state their clients’ position on bills. The executive branch’s lobbyists, on the other hand, rarely provide a position. State Rep. Dusty Johnson argued the executive branch lobbyists should play by the same rules as any other lobbyist. She noted taxpayers pay the salaries of the executive branch lobbyists, one reason for more transparency.

Colorado – Secretary of State Rejects Lobbying Allegations in Colorado House District 6 Race

Colorado Politics – Marianne Goodland | Published: 6/3/2026

The Colorado secretary of state dismissed a complaint alleging attorney Iris Halpern engaged in illegal lobbying at the Capitol. Halpern is challenging Rep. Sean Camacho in the June 30 primary for the House District 6 seat. The complaint was filed by Bethany Morris, who had been a delegate for Camacho at the Denver Democrats’ Assembly. Halpern has long testified at the Capitol on legislation. Morris alleged that testimony proved Halpern was a lobbyist.

Maryland – A $100 Donation Ignites Ethics Questions for Baltimore County School Board

Yahoo News – Racquel Bazos (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 6/3/2026

A $100 campaign donation from the chairperson of Baltimore County’s Board of Education to a candidate seeking a seat on the board is raising questions about ethics, political influence, and the nonpartisan nature of the county’s school system. The dispute centers on more than the value of the contribution. At issue is whether a board chair should use her position, and political capital, to help shape the future makeup of the body she leads.

New Mexico – National Energy Super PAC Faces Ethics Complaint Over Spending in NM Land Commissioner Race

Source New Mexico – Patrick Lohman | Published: 5/22/2026

American Energy Action Fund, a super PAC that has thrown its weight behind a Democratic land commissioner candidate in New Mexico, is facing a state ethics complaint over its alleged failure to disclose spending details. The secretary of state’s office said the Virginia-based fund has not complied with a New Mexico law that requires out-of-state super PACs to submit certain spending records to the state.

New York – New York Lobbying Spending Sets Fourth Straight Record

MSN – Grace Jiang (Albany Times Union) | Published: 6/4/2026

For the fourth year in a row, spending to influence state government officials and lawmakers in New York set a record last year, with lobbyists and their clients reporting more than $384.8 million spent. The new record, according to a report from Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, came with a messier figure attached: $23.47 million in discrepancies between what clients said they paid and what their lobbyists reported earning. The agency resolved most of those gaps one filing at a time and is pressing the state for money to automate the work.

New York – NY Appeals Court Unanimously Sustains Blakeman’s Public Funds Bid

MSN – Timothy Fanning (Albany Times Union) | Published: 5/28/2026

A New York appeals court ruled that state elections regulators created a bureaucratic trap and faulted the Public Campaign Finance Board for rolling out new gubernatorial ticket rules without updated forms, guidance, or training before they denied potentially millions of dollars in matching funds to candidates who subsequently failed to comply with the byzantine rules. Calling the state’s handling of the rollout “irrational,” an appellate court unanimously revived Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman’s bid for public campaign money.

Oklahoma – Out-of-State Group Tests Oklahoma Law with Cruise for Political Donation Sweepstakes

KGOU – Keaton Ross (Oklahoma Watch) | Published: 6/1/2026

A Wyoming-based organization is testing Oklahoma law by attempting a cruise sweepstakes for people who contribute at least $50 to one of their preferred candidates in the state’s 2026 election cycle. The group claims status as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, which is allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money and is not required under state or federal law to disclose its donors. MOGANetwork LLC could face legal challenges over the sweepstakes, which must meet strict criteria to avoid being classified as an illegal lottery, according to attorney Bob Burke.

Rhode Island – RI Ethics Commission Will Investigate If Shekarchi Can Jump to the Supreme Court

MSN – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 6/2/2026

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission will investigate whether former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s bid to join the state Supreme Court violates the state’s “revolving door” law. Roger Williams University Law School Professor Michael Yelnosky has filed a complaint, arguing Shekarchi should have to wait a year before seeking a spot on the court.

The 2026 legislative session adjourned sine die June 1 after lawmakers passed several campaign finance and ethics bills. Legislators passed several bills targeting electioneering communications, including House Bill 459, which prohibits certain communications portraying a candidate through the use of AI; House Bill 540, which adds a disclosure requirement for digital material broadcast within 60 days before an election; and House Bill 639, which prohibits certain automated calls using the voice of a public figure created using AI. Senate Bill 495, effective on January 1, 2027, if approved by the governor, increases in-kind contributions and expenditures from $50 to $200; changes the due date of committee supplemental reports; and raises the contribution limit to unsuccessful major office candidates from $20,000 to $24,000. Lawmakers also passed House Bill 260, which allows legislators to accept transportation to foreign countries for trade, cultural, diplomatic, educational, or humanitarian purposes under certain circumstances. Unless otherwise specified, bills approved by the governor or allowed to become law without his signature will become effective August 1.

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National/Federal

How This Age of Extreme Gerrymandering Is Transforming American Politics

MSN – Patrick Marley and Olivia George (Washington Post) | Published: 5/25/2026

The nationwide redistricting battle that erupted last year has evolved into a forever war. Politicians, no longer content to leave elections to chance, are working with increased precision to choose their voters, with plans to recalibrate as often as every two years. The potential result is a congressional map that looks more like a presidential map, with winner-take-all elections in many states. That could increase the chances for minority rule and further divide an already polarized country.

Trump Bought Stock in Drugmaker as His Government Boosted Its Obesity Drugs

MSN – Darius Tahir (KFF Health News) | Published: 5/22/2026

President Trump earlier this year bought as much as $680,000 in stock of Eli Lilly, the maker of blockbuster obesity drugs. The timing of Trump’s purchases coincides with several favorable government decisions benefiting Lilly’s GLP-1 medication business, including progress toward a long-held goal: qualifying the drugs for reimbursement from Medicare when they are prescribed for weight loss. The disclosure forms, which bear Trump’s distinct signature, show seven purchases of Lilly stock made on the president’s behalf through the end of March.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Complaint Raises Conflict of Interest Issues for Arizona Officials Who Are Also Candidates

KJZZ – Mary Jo Pitzl (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 5/25/2026

When he filed a campaign finance complaint with the Arizona secretary of state, a legislative candidate unwittingly provoked a question that pops up during election years: can election officials carry out their duties while also exercising their free speech rights? Arizona law does not bar endorsements or, more widely, block an election official’s management and oversight of elections when they themselves are on the ballot. The National Association of Secretaries of State had a similar assessment when looking at conflict of interest policies nationwide.

California – What Are They Trying to Hide? California Lawmakers Kill Lobbying Transparency Bills

MSN – Ryan Sabalow (CalMatters) | Published: 5/20/2026

California lawmakers are poised to defeat legislation that would have forced them to immediately release lobbying letters from business and advocacy groups and given the public a new window into the secretive world of Capitol lobbying. Two bills that would have required the Legislature to post the letters lawmakers receive from registered lobbyists and groups trying to influence legislation never received a hearing in the state Assembly. Now, the lawmaker in charge of the committee that would have to approve the measures for them to advance says the Legislature does not need a law to put the letters online.

Illinois – Fundraiser for Illinois GOP Governor Candidate Darren Bailey Delayed After Tribune Raised Ethics Law Questions

Yahoo News – Dan Petrella (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 5/27/2026

A political dinner that had been scheduled to benefit gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey was postponed after the Chicago Tribune raised questions about whether the event complied with a law prohibiting candidates from holding fundraisers anywhere in the state when the Legislature is in session. The prohibition also applies to “any political committee on behalf of” those elected officials or candidates. But it is unclear who is ultimately responsible for policing any potential violations.

Kansas – Kansas Official Running for Governor Received $300K in Donations Before Key Decision

Yahoo News – Matthew Kelly (Kansas City Star) | Published: 5/24/2026

A top Kansas regulator who is running for governor is facing scrutiny over a deluge of campaign contributions that she received from interested parties in the weeks before a key regulatory decision, raising ethical questions about a potential influence campaign. Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt denies any connection between the more than $300,000 she accepted from billionaire Todd Boehly and his allies and her office’s support for slower implementation of new capital rules that Boehly’s financial services company, Security Benefit, advocated forcefully for delaying.

Maine – Maine Ethics Suggests Going Further Than Federal Rules in Policing Candidate Communications

Yahoo News – Lauren McCauley (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 5/28/2026

Maine’s ethics commission is adopting a more stringent approach than the federal government regarding candidate communications, particularly those seemingly targeting outside groups seeking to advertise on a candidate’s behalf. State and federal campaign finance laws bar candidates from coordinating with PACs, which can spend unlimited funds and often do not disclose their donors. One way that candidates evade those restrictions is through so-called red boxing, a tactic in which a campaign publishes messaging and instructions to supportive PACs on their website.

Michigan – Bid to Reshape How Cash Flows in Michigan Politics Submits Petitions

AOL – Craig Mauger (Detroit News) | Published: 5/27/2026

A ballot proposal campaign that aims to ban some of Michigan’s largest corporations from spending money on state politics submitted more than 562,000 petition signatures to the secretary of state’s office. The filing might set off a high-stakes battle in Michigan, entangling powerful utilities and insurance heavyweights while potentially testing the legal ability of the public to limit the political influence of big businesses.

North Carolina – Warrant Reveals New Details in Case Against NC Lobbyists Charged Over Bourbon Tours, Gifts

MSN – Will Doran (WRAL) | Published: 5/26/2026

Powerful North Carolina lawmakers were treated to at least one other trip to Kentucky in addition to a 2024 bourbon tour, replete with free alcohol and other gifts, that has since resulted in criminal charges against four lobbyists, according to a search warrant. Investigators are also looking into a 2022 trip that they believe served as the model for the 2024 trip at the heart of the criminal case, according to the warrant. It also indicates more lobbyists, political fundraisers, and others were involved in the effort, including a top North Carolina Republican Party official. But there have been no additional charges.

Texas – Paxton’s Texas Victory Opens a New Front in the Battle for the Senate

Seattle Times – Lisa Lerer and Reid Epstein (New York Times) | Published: 5/27/2026

Ken Paxton’s primary election victory in Texas transformed the deep red state into the nation’s newest political battleground, expanding the U.S. Senate map, previewing lines of attack from both parties, and offering a test of President Trump’s influence in the general election. Democrats still face an uphill battle in their quest to turn Texas blue, even with the excitement surrounding their nominee, James Talarico, a state legislator and seminary student who is pitching a brand of inclusive politics.

National/Federal

Trump’s Deal with His Administration Also Ends His Tax Audits

MSN – Richard Rubin (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 5/19/2026

President Trump’s agreement with the federal government was expanded to end all pending tax audits of him and his businesses. That agreement extends the recent settlement, in which the government agreed to create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate people who claim to have been victims of so-called weaponization by the government, a move that could lead to payouts to Trump allies.

A Year After Trump Fired a Top Ethics Watchdog, There’s Still No Leader

Yahoo News – Dan Diamond (Washington Post) | Published: 5/19/2026

Senate Democrats are pressing the White House to explain its plan for the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), more than a year after President Trump fired the office’s Senate-confirmed leader and five months after its most recent acting director stepped down. The OGE, an independent agency, works to prevent financial conflicts-of-interest and other ethical violations across more than 100 government agencies. It has historically served as a watchdog on government ethical standards, offering guidance to federal officials, and even rebuking the White House, as the office’s past leader repeatedly did in the first Trump administration.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Despite Change to Lobbying Rules, Foreign Governments and Groups Still Funding MP Travel

CBC News – Elizabeth Thompson | Published: 5/20/2026

A small change to Canada’s lobbying rules has led to a big drop in free trips for Members of Parliament (MP), a CBC News analysis found, but many MPs continue to head to destinations like China, and India courtesy of foreign governments and groups not registered to lobby. The CBC’s analysis comes as the House of Commons ethics committee is reviewing the Lobbying Act. Currently, there is no restriction on MPs accepting sponsored travel beyond the requirement to report the trip and its cost.

Alaska – Curveball Vote Could Snarl Effort to Reimpose Campaign Finance Restrictions in Alaska

Alaska Beacon – James Brooks | Published: 5/21/2026

The Alaska Legislature passed new limits on the amount of money that can be donated to candidates, but opponents of those limits are seeking to start those rules in the middle of the current election, something that could lead to a lawsuit that snarls the new rules altogether. If Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoes the bill, a substantially similar measure will be presented to voters on the August primary election ballot. Speaking in 2022, Dunleavy implied he is generally opposed to campaign finance limits.

California – The Steyer Campaign Pays Influencers. Their Posts Don’t Always Make That Clear

MSN – Ben Wieder (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 5/15/2026

In recent weeks, several social media influencers have popped up in online feeds touting the California gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Tom Steyer. They do not disclosure that their creators were paid by the Steyer campaign to produce the videos, according to a complaint filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission. The complaint alleges the Steyer campaign failed to notify the influencers it hired of their obligation to inform their audience when their posts have been sponsored by the campaign.

Colorado – Denver Considers Major Lobbying Overhaul After High-Profile Influence Cases Went Largely Unreported

KUSA – Spencer Soicher | Published: 5/14/2026

Under current law, lobbyists in Denver only have to report direct gifts, money, or things of value given to officials. Because most lobbying does not involve an explicit financial exchange, the majority of lobbying reports filed with the city show no activity at all. City Councilperson Jamie Torres is working with the city clerk’s office on legislation that would require lobbyists to disclose who they meet with, which clients they represent, and how much they are paid to do so, something the current law does not require.

Delaware – Conservative Group Challenges Delaware Campaign Finance Law

Spotlight Delaware – Matt Butler (Spotlight Delaware) | Published: 5/19/2026

A conservative advocacy group filed a lawsuit challenging a key instrument of election transparency in Delaware, which, if successful, could upend nearly 15 years of campaign finance law. Americans for Prosperity seeks to overturn the Delaware Elections Disclosure Act on the grounds its extensive campaign finance transparency requirements serve to discourage political speech and violate the First Amendment.

Hawaii – New Hawaii Law Targets Corporate Influence in Politics after Citizens United Ruling

MSN – Jennifer Sinco Kelleher (Associated Press) | Published: 5/14/2026

Hawaii’s governor signed into law a bill that uses a novel approach to reduce the influence of corporations and hard-to-track dark money groups that have been able to spend unlimited amounts on politics since a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The law, which takes effect July 1, 2027, redefines corporations in a way that precludes spending on elections.

Michigan – Campaign Finance Watchdog Says Cox PAC Network Follows Letter of Campaign Law, but Tests Its Spirit

Yahoo News – Katherine Dailey (Michigan Advance) | Published: 5/18/2026

Michigan gubernatorial candidate and former Attorney General Mike Cox received campaign donations of more than $30,000 from eight PACs, four of which have his wife, former Republican Party Chairperson Laura Cox, listed as the treasurer. None of this is breaking the law in any way, explained Neil Thanedar, the executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, as these PACs are each classified as “Independent.”

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Democratic Fundraising Committee Settles with Ethics Board

Yahoo News – Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Watch) | Published: 5/14/2026

A fundraising committee supporting Democratic candidates for the Oklahoma House and the chairperson who oversaw it will pay over $37,000 in fines after settling with the state Ethics Commission. The Oklahoma House Democratic Campaign Committee and former chair and treasurer Joe Hartman admitted to using improper methods for expenditures, inaccuracies in reporting payments and consulting services, and failure to maintain complete and accurate records, according to the terms of a settlement agreement.

The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices proposed commencing a rulemaking at the upcoming meeting on May 27. The purpose is to update the commission’s rules based on newly chaptered laws from this year’s legislative session. Legislative changes to be addressed include disclosure requirements for paid communications containing manipulated images or audio of a candidate, and an increase to the spending threshold for independent expenditure reporting. If the rulemaking is commenced, an invitation to comment is expected to begin on June 1.

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