LobbyComply Blog

National/Federal

US Probe of Rep. Ilhan Omar Focuses on Birth Date, Citizenship Papers, People Familiar Say

MSN – Ted Hesson and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 10/13/2026

The federal investigation that prompted the search of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s District of Columbia residence centers on claims that she or her late father may have lied on decades-old immigration paperwork to secure legal status and eventually U.S. citizenship, people familiar with the matter said. It is extremely unusual for federal agents to take public investigative actions related to a member of Congress just weeks before an election. In Omar’s case, it involves long-ago paperwork from when she was a teenager, and Omar is a lawmaker who has frequently been singled out for criticism and vitriol by President Trump.

Trump Fires Kimberly Guilfoyle Over Misconduct Allegations

MSN – Francesca Collins (USA Today) | Published: 10/13/2026

President Trump is dismissing Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece after a series of reports raised questions about her conduct on the job. Trump campaign donor Eric Deters says Guilfoyle pushed him to pay off her $100,000 American Express bill while she was preparing for her Senate confirmation hearing last year. Guilfoyle is also said to have offered to make a businessman “a lot of … money” during a conversation, in which she touted her connections to the Trump family earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The House Speaker’s Wife Runs a Ministry for Hill Staffers. Its Funding Is a Mystery.

MSN – Alexei Koseff (Washington Post) | Published: 10/13/2026

After House Speaker Mike Johnson ascended to one of the most powerful offices in Washington, his wife, a faith-based counselor, turned her focus to the nation’s capital. Kelly Johnson reoriented a religious nonprofit she was running in Louisiana into a ministry focused on female congressional staffers, providing free faith-based counseling. The full extent of her work is unclear. Some mysteries remain about her organization, including who is funding it. Ethics experts raised concerns about how Kelly Johnson’s close connection to the speaker’s office benefits the nonprofit.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commission: Campaign funds can be used for civil lawsuits

Yahoo News – Ralph Chapoco (Alabama Reflector) | Published: 10/9/2026

The Alabama Ethics Commission said state law allows campaign funds raised by a candidate to pay legal fees for a civil lawsuit if it is related to the job duties while in office. The advisory opinion came at the request of Rep. Matt Simpson, who has threatened legal action against a PAC that targeted him ahead of May’s Republican primary. Simpson asked if he was permitted to use campaign contributions to help pay for costs associated with litigation under the state’s Fair Campaigns Practice Act.

Arizona – Clean Elections Commission to High Court: Green Party candidates’ harm is self-inflicted

Yahoo News – Caitlin Sievers (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 10/13/2026

The director of the Clean Elections Commission told the Arizona Supreme Court that two Green Party candidates being investigated for campaign finance fraud are working to “recklessly vilify public servants” through their lawsuit against the commission. Through the lawsuit, Risa Lombardo and Duwayne Collier, the Green Party nominees for governor and secretary of state, are asking the courts to preemptively block the Citizens Clean Elections Commission from ordering them to repay millions of dollars in public campaign funds.

California – Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Is Going on Trial for Bribery: Here’s what you need to know

KQED – Alex Hall | Published: 10/13/2026

As former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao prepares to go to trial – accused of participating in an alleged bribery scheme with the owners of the city’s recycling contractor – a key debate is expected to loom over the proceedings: whether the prosecution’s star witness is telling the truth or if the government built its case on the claims of an unreliable informant. Thao, her longtime partner, Andre Jones, California Waste Solutions Chief Executive Officer David Duong, and his son, Andy Duong face charges of bribery, conspiracy, and fraud.

Illinois – Lobbyist Campaign Cash Helps Fuel Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Run for U.S. Senate Seat

Chicago Sun Times – Robert Herguth, Tina Sfondeles, and Mitchell Armentrout | Published: 10/15/2026

As she vies to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is accepting campaign contributions from lobbyists representing special interests, records show. Some of the lobbyists work for firms that lobby Illinois’ state government. Others work for firms that lobby Congress and other arms of the federal government.

Maryland – Maryland Republican Accuses Reporter of Violating Law by Recording Postdebate Gaggle

MSN – Sarah Davis (The Hill) | Published: 10/14/2026

U.S. Rep. Andy Harris accused a reporter of unlawfully filming his comments to the media, despite inviting members of the press to speak to him, following a debate. In a video clip, Harris citied Maryland’s “two-party state” laws, which bar the recording of private conversations without consent from both involved participants.

North Dakota – Ethics Questions Arise for North Dakota Lawmaker Who Also Leads Charitable Gambling Group

Yahoo News – Jack Dura (North Dakota Monitior) | Published: 10/14/2026

North Dakota Rep. Mike Motschenbacher says he is “completely separated” during the legislative session from his job heading a trade group for charitable gambling, a critical topic and burgeoning area of state law in recent years. Motschenbacher said he visited with the secretary of state, Ethics Commission, and attorney general’s office before he first put his name on the ballot. He takes a four-month, unpaid leave of absence from his job during the regular biennial session and does not sponsor or speak on gambling-related legislation, he said. The Gaming Alliance hires a lobbyist who handles legislative matters, he noted.

Texas – Ken Paxton Took Campaign Funds from Donors with Interests Before His Office

MSN – Matthew Choi (Washington Post) | Published: 10/13/2026

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a candidate for U.S. Senate, received campaign contributions from the staff or political arms of five organizations with interests in legal matters on which his office weighed in. It is not illegal for an attorney general to accept campaign contributions from a group whose business has a stake in the attorney general’s actions, and Paxton’s case is not unique. Attorney general opinions, which are public, are not judicial rulings, but they can carry sway in how the state government interprets and enforces the law.

For the first time ever, the entire City of Chicago School Board will be on the November 3 ballot. Previously, the board was controlled by the mayor. One board member will be elected from each of Chicago’s 20 subdistricts, with the president of the board being elected citywide. The terms of office begin January 15, 2027. This year will be the only time all 21 seats will be up for election because 10 seats will be four-year terms and the other 10 will serve two-year terms. Due to a concern over conflicts of interest, the School Board adopted a resolution prohibiting members and candidates from accepting campaign contributions in any amount from active Chicago Public Schools vendors, outside counsel serving the board, and those who have applied to become CPS vendors and whose applications remain pending consideration.

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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. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills making changes to political advertising rules. Assembly Bill 2413 prohibits a large-format public advertisement from being published or displayed at public expense, if among other things, the advertisement includes the photograph of an elected officer affiliated with the agency who produces or purchases the advertisement. The bill defines a large-format public advertisement as a billboard, wrap on a bus or other public transportation vehicle, an advertisement affixed to a bus stop, and certain other public advertisements 24 inches by 36 inches or more in size. Senate Bill 900 clarifies a print advertisement includes a yard sign and a billboard while also providing ways to shorten required specified statements pertaining to advertisements supporting or opposing a candidate paid for by an independent expenditure. The bill also requires advertisements which exceed 187 square inches to separate the names of the top contributors by clearly visible bullet points or by inserting the applicable number before the name of the three largest contributors, while extending these requirements to electronic advertisements displayed on a physical surface. Both bills are effective January 1, 2027.

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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. 

A special election has been called for Virginia House District 20 after the resignation of Rep. Michelle Maldonado. The special election will be held on the same day as the general election on November 3 and the winner will serve for the remainder of Maldonado’s term ending January 2028.

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Proposal 2, a citizen-initiated measure, will be on the November 3 ballot. If passed, Proposal 2 will prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities; contractors with over $250,000 in annual government contracts; and people and organizations with substantial connections to these contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices with influence over such contracts. The proposal would also require disclosure reports for electioneering communications exceeding $5,000 a year and lower the threshold for independent expenditure reporting from $1,000 or more a year to more than $500.01 a year. The proposal also requires disclosing donor information for certain independent expenditures and requires internet political communications to disclose who paid for them.

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Invite them out for coffee or a steak? Make sure you know the gift restrictions of your state or municipality. Request a demo of our online guidebooks today. 

National/Federal

Weeks Before Election Day, the FEC Can’t Enforce the Law

MSN – Gabe Kaminsky (CBS News) | Published: 10/7/2026

In July, U.S. Reps. Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer asked the FEC to help make sure artificial intelligence chatbots do not feed voters false information about the 2026 midterm elections. But FEC Commissioner Shana Broussard wrote back with a blunt answer: the agency could not help. With only two of its six commissioner seats filled, the FEC “cannot proceed,” she wrote. Broussard signed the letter as an individual commissioner. Without a quorum, she could not under federal law even speak for the agency. With Election Day approaching, the exchange offers a window into how little the FEC can do as campaigns enter their final stretch.

Ex-Congressman and Rubio Ally Gets 10 Years for Secret Venezuela Lobbying

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck and Teo Armus (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2026

Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera was sentenced to a decade in federal prison for his role in a secret $50 million campaign to lobby officials in Washington on behalf of the Venezuelan government. Rivera was convicted in May on counts of failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Rivera sought to lean on his relationships in Washington to persuade the first Trump administration to soften its stance toward Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and ease sanctions on the nation.

Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Illegal Voting Rests on a Shaky Foundation

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 10/6/2026

The Trump administration has made a high-profile push to arrest and charge noncitizens suspected of voting in recent federal elections. But it could come crashing down after the midterms. The Justice Department has built its enforcement campaign around a little-used federal criminal statute – “voting by aliens” – that is facing legal challenges for the first time. The early results suggest problems for prosecutors.

Judge’s Active Role at PR Firm Prompts Ethics Complaint from Senators

MSN – Daniel Barnes and Jacob Wendler (Politico) | Published: 10/6/2026

U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester want federal court officials to review a judge’s conduct following a media report that she ran a public affairs firm for at least six months after taking the bench. Judge Jennifer Mascott took an active role in the management of Adfero in the months following her October 2025 confirmation. She oversaw the firm’s staffing and business development efforts while attempting to steer it out of a staff exodus and downward spiral that ended with the company closing at the end of June.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Lawmaker Lives at College Exec’s Home While Advocating for the School

USA Today – Laura Gersony (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/7/2026

Arizona Sen. Brian Fernandez has reported living in a Yuma home owned by an Arizona Western College executive while helping the school pursue millions of dollars in state funding. The lawmaker has claimed a property owned by Lorraine Stofft, the college’s vice president of advancement, as his residence since he was appointed to fill his mother’s legislative seat in 2021. In 2024, the college credited Fernandez with securing “historic” infusions of money through Arizona’s budget and celebrated the opening of a new technology facility: the Fernandez Family Cyber Security Lab.

Colorado – Republican Victor Marx Fined $58K for Campaign Finance Violations

Yahoo News – Chase Woodruff (Colorado Newsline) | Published: 10/2/2026

Victor Marx, the Republican nominee for Colorado governor, was assessed a fine by the Colorado secretary of state’s office for accepting campaign contributions in excess of the legal limit. The fine is believed to be the largest penalty ever assessed by the secretary of state’s Elections Division. State law limits individual donors to a maximum of $1,450 in contributions to a candidate for governor. But Marx’s own campaign filings showed his campaign had accepted more than 200 prohibited contributions totaling over $83,000.

District of Columbia – D.C. Elections Board Throws Out Fine Against Lewis George Campaign in Union Probe

MSN – Meagan Flynn and Liam Bowman (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2026

District of Columbia elections officials have thrown out a $16,000 fine against Democratic mayoral nominee Janeese Lewis George and her campaign after finding there was no evidence they improperly coordinated with labor unions and a union-funded group. The decision by the Board of Elections reversed a ruling by the Office of Campaign Finance that had roiled the mayoral campaign four days before the primary election in June.

Kentucky – Lexington Brewery Owner’s Email Prompts Questions About Kentucky Campaign Finance Laws

Yahoo News – McKenna Horsley (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 9/30/2026

An email from a Lexington brewery owner about a September fundraiser for Kentucky Rep. Jason Petrie has sparked questions about campaign finance laws. “… We are donating roughly $4,500 worth of food, beverage, and rental fee and are asking membership to help by reimbursing us. This way, no one will have to worry about campaign disclosures or names being associated with this donation,” Bishop wrote. Some questioned if the reimbursement process described in the email followed state campaign contribution laws.

New York – Super PAC Could Herald Aggressive New Approach to Albany Lobbying

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 10/8/2026

New York’s top Albany lobbying firm is testing a new way to influence politics: starting its own super PAC to spend money in support of a wide range of candidates. The committee, started by Brown & Weinraub and known as New York Forward, appears to be the first of its kind in the state. Lobbying firms are no strangers to super PACs. But they generally help set up such committees to benefit a single client or affect a specific election. Brown & Weinraub’s is different. It is a super PAC for the lobbying firm itself, with no clear expiration date, catering to clients with a broad array of interests.

Pennsylvania – Philadelphia Gas Works CEO Got Free Trips to Phillies Spring Training, But Didn’t Disclose Required Details on State Ethics Form

WHYY – Susan Phillips | Published: 10/6/2026

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is owned by the city, but employees are not subject to the city’s ethics code. Employees do have to comply with the state ethics law. The Phillies gifted PGW’s CEO trips to spring training in Clearwater, Florida, from 2022 to 2025. Within that time-period, the utility spent over $1 million on ads with the team. Between 2022 and 2025, PGW Chief Executive Officer Seth Shapiro completed statements of financial interest that lacked critical information, including the required value of hospitality gifts from the Phillies and other vendors.

The campaign contribution limits for candidates in New Mexico have been adjusted for the 2027-2028 election cycles. Effective January 1, 2027, the limit to candidates and committees by individuals, committees, corporations, and labor unions will increase from $6,200 to $6,600 per election. The limit to candidates for governor will increase from $12,400 to $13,200 per election, and the limit to a political party or legislative caucus committee will increase from $31,000 to $33,000 per election.

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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. 

Contributions from a federal PAC to non-federal state candidates are generally permissible in all U.S. states, with a few limited exceptions. However, each state jurisdiction enforces its own distinct registration, reporting, and contribution limit regulations. While some states allow federal PACs to submit Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, others require state-specific registration, separate segregated funds, or local physical bank depositories.

Compliance Requirements for State Campaign Contributions

The rules governing contributions by federal PACs vary significantly by jurisdiction. Regardless of the registration and reporting mechanism required, a federal PAC is always subject to the contribution limits established under the law of the specific jurisdiction where the candidate is running.

States with Segregated Fund and Physical Depository Rules

Certain jurisdictions make state-level contributions more complex by requiring a federal PAC to set up a separate segregated fund. In these states, the federal PAC must comply with the same requirements as in-state PACs, including maintaining a segregated bank account at a depository with a physical branch inside that state.

Jurisdictions enforcing these strict physical depository and segregation rules include:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island

The Five Categories of State Registration and Reporting Rules

To help political action committees navigate state-level requirements, state rules for federal PAC contributions fall into five distinct compliance categories.

Category 1: No Additional State Filings Required

In these jurisdictions, you simply make the contribution to the state candidate as you would any standard federal PAC contribution. This streamlined option is typically available only if your FEC filings are fully current and complete.

• Example States: Delaware, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

Category 2: Full State PAC Registration and Reporting

These jurisdictions treat a federal PAC the same as any other out-of-state PAC. You must register your federal PAC using the state jurisdiction’s registration forms, report contributions on state forms, and follow state filing deadlines.

• Example States: Georgia, Tennessee, and Utah.

Category 3: FEC Registrations and Reports in Lieu of State Forms

These jurisdictions allow you to file your FEC registration and FEC disclosure reports instead of state-specific filings. A key challenge in these states is tracking whether filings must follow the state jurisdiction’s reporting schedule or the FEC reporting schedule.

• Example States: Kentucky and New Mexico.

Category 4: Hybrid Registration and Reporting Requirements

These states require a combination of state and federal filings. You must either register using the state’s form and report using your FEC filings, or register with FEC documentation and report using state forms.

• Example States: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, and Virginia.

Category 5: Optional Compliance Pathways

These jurisdictions offer a choice regarding how your federal PAC handles registration and reporting procedures.

• Example States: Iowa and Kansas.

Alternative Contribution Options and Compliance Resources

In jurisdictions that allow direct corporate contributions, donating directly from corporate funds is often a better option than using a federal PAC. However, using direct corporate funds may not always be practical due to internal corporate budget allocations.

Regardless of the method used, staying compliant across varying state laws requires reliable, up-to-date guidance. For comprehensive state-by-state details, review the “Contributing from Federal PACs” section in the U.S. Political Contributions Compliance online publication.

To ensure full statutory compliance across all jurisdictions, explore our full suite of professional compliance tools and consulting services:

• Lobbying Compliance Consulting
• Compliance Alerts & Advisory
• Custom Consulting Services
• All State & Federal Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a federal PAC legally contribute to candidates running for state office?

Yes, contributions from a federal PAC to non-federal state candidates are generally permissible in all states, with a few limited exceptions, such as New York. However, every jurisdiction maintains different rules regarding how to register, report, and stay within local contribution limits.

Which states require a federal PAC to open a local physical bank account?

Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island require a federal PAC to establish a separate segregated fund and maintain a segregated bank account at a depository with a physical branch in the state.

Are federal PACs subject to state contribution limits when donating to state candidates?

Yes, regardless of the specific registration and reporting process used, a federal PAC is subject to the contribution limits set by the law of that state jurisdiction.

Is direct corporate giving better than using a federal PAC for state candidate contributions?

In states that permit direct corporate contributions, direct corporate giving is often a better option. However, internal budgeting structure or corporate preferences may make federal PAC contributions the necessary choice.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders advanced the date of the Senate District 18 special general election from January 5, 2027 to December 15, 2026. Primary elections are not necessary because only one candidate from each major party filed for nomination.

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Lobbyist registration fees with the District of Columbia Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA) increased on October 1. Registration increased from $350 to $500 for registrants that are not nonprofit entities. The registration fees for nonprofit registrants increased from $100 to $250. This only applies to nonprofits or lobbyists who lobby only for nonprofits. If one lobbies for many nonprofits and only one for-profit entity, the lobbyist is required to pay the $500 registration fee for each client, even the nonprofits. Additionally, late filing fees are increased from $100 to $200 per day up to 60 days for a total of $12,000 per report if a person continues to fail to register or file a report after fines have been assessed. Fines for late reports are now calculated using only calendar days. Weekends and holidays are no longer excluded for calculating late filing days. BEGA may bring the matter before the Ethics Board as an enforcement matter for willful failure to file or refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for collection of the fine.

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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. 

October brings plenty of opportunities for a good scare: haunted houses, creepy costumes, and things which go bump in the night. In government relations, however, some of the most unsettling surprises arrive in broad daylight—a missed disclosure deadline, an overlooked registration requirement, or the realization that “we’ve always done it this way” deserves a second look. Those goosebumps can linger long after the Halloween decorations come down.

State lobbying and disclosure requirements can feel like a maze, especially for organizations working across multiple jurisdictions. An activity which calls for registration in one state may be treated differently in another. Reporting obligations, deadlines, and definitions vary, making assumptions a particularly frightening companion. Before stepping into the next meeting or launching an advocacy effort, knowing which requirements apply belongs on the preparation list.

Even a well-intentioned government relations program can encounter trouble when compliance becomes an afterthought. Incomplete records, unclear responsibilities, and last-minute reporting scrambles leave too much room for surprises. And while a Halloween costume can disguise your identity for an evening, it cannot disguise a gap in your compliance process. “I didn’t know” is a poor foundation for protecting an organization’s reputation.

Fortunately, preparation can take much of the fright out of compliance. Assign responsibility, maintain accurate records, review applicable requirements, and keep filing deadlines where everyone who needs them can see them. Give compliance a place in planning conversations throughout the year. At State and Federal Communications, we believe

understanding your obligations helps you participate confidently, ethically, and transparently in the public policy process.

This Halloween, enjoy the ghosts, goblins, and occasional overenthusiastic skeleton on the neighbor’s lawn. Give your lobbying and disclosure practices a little attention, too. A thoughtful review today can help keep an unwelcome surprise from haunting you tomorrow—and leave the scary stuff to the trick-or-treaters.

Boo!

EB

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If you are ready to take the fright our of lobbying, campaign finance, and procurement lobbying compliance reach out and let us know how we can help – https://stateandfed.com/contact-us/

Republican leaders in both the state House and Senate announced plans for a special session to address rising gas prices. Lawmakers are worried about the pressure fuel prices are putting on farmers and families. No official start date for the special session has been announced.

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California lawmakers recently passed two bills making changes to lobbying requirements in the Political Reform Act. Effective January 1, 2027, Assembly Bill 2592 requires the Fair Political Practices Commission to develop and offer an orientation course for registered lobbyists. The bill requires the training to focus on relevant ethics issues, laws relating to lobbying, and on the Legislature’s policies against harassment in connection with lobbying activities. The course will be available on-demand through an online platform, internet webpage, or application. The new law also prohibits a person who has been convicted of a crime of public corruption from serving as a lobbyist for 12 years following the date of the conviction. Senate Bill 1175 makes conforming changes with regulations and will require lobbyists to submit an amended certification or notice of termination directly to the Office of Secretary of State.

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National/Federal

Chinese Carmaker Sues US Defense Department Over Lobbying Rule

Courthouse News Service – Edvard Pettersson | Published: 9/28/2026

Two U.S. Subsidiaries of China’s BYD Group, the world’s largest maker of electric vehicles, sued the U.S. Defense Department to challenge the constitutionality of a federal law aimed at stopping lobbyists from working for any company the department designates as a “Chinese military company.” The law bars the Defense Department from doing business with contractors who use a lobbying firm that also represents designated Chinese military companies.

Republicans Wanted Jack Smith to Give Them a Smoking Gun. They Got a Gaffe Instead.

MSN – Kyle Cheney and Chris Marquette (Politico) | Published: 9/29/2026

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt is facing accusations he tried to launch a conspiracy tying former special counsel Jack Smith to others who prosecuted President Trump, a line of questioning that unwound when the senator apparently confused two basketball teams. Schmitt seemed poised for a gotcha moment with Smith when he asked him if he ever attended a February 2024 NBA game in Atlanta where the Hawks played the Golden State Warriors. But it soon became clear that Schmitt and his staff had confused Smith’s attendance at an Iowa Hawkeyes basketball game for an Atlanta Hawks game.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Arizona’s Voter-Approved Dark Money Law Defeats First Amendment Challenge in Appellate Ruling

Yahoo News – Jim Small (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 9/30/2026

A federal appeals court upheld Arizona’s law requiring disclosure of anonymous campaign spending, rejecting claims it violated First Amendment rights. More than 70 percent of Arizona voters approved the Voters’ Right to Know Act. The law requires that political committees and other politically active nonprofits disclose the sources of their funding in a bid to combat the anonymous campaign spending that has transformed American elections over the past 15 years.

District of Columbia – After Mistrial, Pirro Says She’ll Bring Trayon White Bribery Case to New Jury

MSN – Salvador Rizzo, Ben Conarck, and Liam Bowman (Washington Post) | Published: 9/28/2026

A federal judge declared a mistrial in the case of District of Columbia Council member Trayon White Sr., who was charged with taking bribes from a city contractor who handed him envelopes of cash during four meetings in 2024, all of them secretly videotaped by the FBI. Jurors deliberated for more than three days, first saying they could not agree on White’s innocence or guilt. U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras declared a mistrial after the jury sent a final note saying further discussions had only “cemented” their views.

Illinois – Chicago City Council Approves Campaign Ethics Tweaks as Election Season Heats Up

Yahoo News – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/25/2026

Candidates for city office will have to stand by their campaign ads, in writing or aloud in commercials, by saying “I approve this message” as part of a set of pared-down ethics changes approved by the Chicago City Council. But while other tweaks around “coercive” emails and use of city seals and logos also passed, a crackdown on business executive campaign contributions was left out amid pushback from elected officials.

Maryland – State Lawmaker Cited After Spotlight on Maryland Investigation

WBFF – Gary Collins | Published: 9/24/2026

Maryland prosecutors have filed three campaign finance cases against state Del. Gary Simmons, months after a media investigation raised questions about thousands of dollars his campaign reported spending on meals, travel, cash withdrawals, and other expenses. State law requires campaigns not to use cash for expenditures, requiring disbursements only to be made by check or by an electronic method authorized by the State Board of Elections. Payments to a campaign’s responsible officer must be made only by check.

Minnesota – A GOP Power Player and Lobbyist Is a Key Advisor to House Speaker Lisa Demuth

Yahoo News – Michelle Griffith (Minnesota Reformer) | Published: 9/25/2026

Ben Golnik is a lobbyist and advisor to Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign, armed with a vast network of Republican politicians, donors, delegates, and operatives. Norman Ornstein, an emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said many lobbyists volunteer and raise money for campaigns, but a decision-making role for a lobbyist would be unusual. The problem with the arrangement is whether Golnik’s free and apparently important work with the Demuth campaign would create an obligation to him or his clients if Demuth is successful in November.

Missouri – Supreme Court Again Snubs GOP Gerrymander in Missouri

MSN – Josh Gerstein and Aaron Pellish (Politico) | Published: 9/25/2026

The Supreme Court again blocked a Republican gerrymander from being used in Missouri in November’s midterms, rebuffing GOP attempts to pick up an extra U.S. House seat by redrawing the map to oust a Democratic lawmaker. The justices overrode orders from lower federal courts that instructed state officials to use the new, GOP-friendly map, even though Missouri’s highest court ruled unanimously that the new map could not be used this year.

New Jersey – New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Resigns After Report Finds Harassment, Ethics Violations

MSN – Amy Wang and Karen Tumulty (Washington Post) | Published: 9/25/2026

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned one day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on him to do so after an independent investigation found he sexually harassed a woman and violated state ethics rules. Sherrill said she would move “swiftly and thoughtfully” to choose a new lieutenant governor within the next 45 days. The report said there was “credible evidence” that Caldwell violated ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without advance clearance and by trying, on multiple occasions, to secure a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship.

Ohio – Husted Took Gifts from JobsOhio While He Was Ohio Lieutenant Governor, Financial Disclosures Show

Ohio Capital Journal – Marty Schladen | Published: 9/25/2026

Financial disclosures filed by U.S. Sen. Jon Husted with the Ohio Ethics Commission show the quasi-private economic development entity JobsOhio gave gifts to Husted in 2021, 2022, and 2023 when he was lieutenant governor. The gifts could have been as small as a meal at a local restaurant, or they could have been trips worth thousands of dollars, but Husted’s office would not say what JobsOhio gave him or what the gifts were worth. Neither will JobsOhio and state law does not require them to.