Campaign Finance

Federal: “Purina Drops Campaign Contributions to Steve King, Citing ‘Recent Statements’” by Michael Burke for The Hill

Canada: “Province Moves to Ban Big Money from Recall Campaigns” by Rattan Mall for Voiceonline.com

Elections

Federal: “Mueller Probes Roger Stone’s Interactions with Trump Campaign and Timing of WikiLeaks Release of Podesta Emails” by Robert Costa, Carol Leonnig, Rosalind Helderman, and Manuel Roig-Franzia (Washington Post) for Stamford Advocate

Ethics

Federal: “Zinke’s Own Agency Watchdog Just Referred Him to the Justice Department” by Juliet Eilperin and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for Seattle Times

Federal: “Mueller Refers Sex Misconduct Scheme Targeting Him to FBI for Investigation” by Brandy Zadrozny, Ben Collins, and Tom Winter for NBC News

National: “Voters Could Clamp Down on Ethics, Campaign Finance at The Ballot Box” by Peter Overby for National Public Radio

Alaska: “Begich Spent Four Years as a Consultant. As Governor, He Could Sign Bills Affecting Former Clients.” by Nathaniel Herz for KTOO

Florida: “Sex for Speed Bumps: Ethics panel finds probable cause that Florida mayor misused his position” by Antonia Noori Farzan for Washington Post

Maryland: “Question G Would Undercut Independence of Baltimore Ethics Board, Chairwoman Says” by Mark Ruettner for Baltimore Brew

Pennsylvania: “State Rep. Vanessa Brown Guilty on All Counts; Took $4,000 Bribe in Sting” by Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

Campaign Finance

National: “Female Candidates Break Barriers, Except When It Comes to Money” by Kate Zernike (New York Times) for WRAL

Oklahoma: “Legislators Act As ‘Super Donors,’ Sending Their Own Donors’ Cash to Other Candidates” by Trevor Brown (Oklahoma Watch) for KGOU

Elections

National: “2 State Ballots with Felons’ Rights, 2 Different Directions” by J. Brian Charles for Governing

National: “Paper Is Big Again, at Least for Elections. These States Don’t Have It” by Gopal Ratnam for Roll Call

Maryland: “Maryland Voters to Decide Whether to Adopt Election Day Registration” by Rachel Chason for Washington Post

Ethics

New Jersey: “Phil Murphy Investigation: NJ lawmakers get subpoena power after sex assault claims” by Nicholas Pugliese for Bergen Record

Lobbying

National: “A Donald Trump Appointee – Also a Saudi Government Lobbyist – Is Reassessing His Roles” by Sarah Kleiner and Lateshia Beachum for Center for Public Integrity

Canada: “Province Tables Amendments to Lobbyist Legislation” by Rattan Mall for Voiceonline.com

Campaign Finance

Kentucky: “Kentucky Officials Seek Changes in Campaign-Finance Laws” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Huntington Herald-Dispatch

Montana: “How Big Sky Country Became the Front Line in a Long Battle Over Dark Money” by Christa Case Bryant for Yahoo!News

New Jersey: “Baraka, Ex-Campaign Treasurer Still Face Campaign Finance Accusations” by Rebecca Panico for TAPinto.net

Elections

National: “‘Staying on the Sidelines Is No Longer an Option’: How Silicon Valley is trying to help Democrats capture Congress in 2018” by Tony Romm for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Former City Manager Rick Fernandez Agrees to Settlement with Ethics Commission” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Legislative Issues

Wisconsin: “Last-Minute Surprises and Secretive Moves Hide Wisconsin Lawmakers’ Actions from Public View” by CV Vitolo-Haddad and Dee Hall (Wisconsin Center For Investigative Journalism) for Wisconsin Public Radio

Lobbying

Arizona: “Arizona Commissioner Andy Tobin Texted APS Lobbyists Frequently, Including About Open Rate Case” by David Pomerantz for Energy Policy Institute

Redistricting

Michigan: “Volunteer Movement Helped Carry Redistricting Proposal to the Ballot” by Lauren Gibbons for MLive.com

Campaign Finance

Florida: Undercover FBI Agent May Have Helped Pay for Gillum Fundraising Dinner Gary Fineout (Associated Press) Orlando Sentinel

Ethics

National: ‘My Comrades Will Kill You’: Pipe bombs sent in year of many death threats against politicians by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

National: 9 Hours of ‘Executive Time’: Trump’s unstructured days define his presidency by Eliana Johnson and Daniel Lippman for Politico

California: Newsom’s Business Holdings Could Pose Ethics Bind by The Associated Press for KPIX

South Carolina: SC Rep. Harrison Found Guilty in Public Corruption Case, Gets Prison Sentence by John Monk (The State) for Greenville News

Lobbying

National: Campbell Soup Jettisons Exec Who Peddled Soros Conspiracy Theory About Caravan by Mary Papenfuss for The Huffington Post

Maine: Pro-Offshore Oil Group Chaired by LePage Is Run by Energy Lobbyists by Colin Woodward (Portland Press Herald) for Biddeford Journal Tribune

Pennsylvania: A Powerful Lobby Blocked Changes in Pa. Child Sex Abuse Laws. Here’s Who and Here’s Why. By Candy Woodall for York Daily Record

National:

How a Billionaire from Another State Could Influence Your Elections
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 10/18/2018

Twenty-five American billionaires have invested more than $70.7 million for initiative campaigns this year in 19 states where they do not reside. Meanwhile, as little as $7.2 million has gone from their wallets and those of other billionaires to campaigns in their home states. In total, the $78 million tally from all 34 billionaires may be pocket change to them, but it is more than 10 percent of the $648 million disclosed so far this year for statewide ballot measure campaigns. The contributions from the wealthy to campaigns across state lines rankle some local opponents, even though no one questions their legality. Just who should decide issues in their states, they ask – the people who live there or some rich folks from out-of-state?

Three Secretaries of State Are Refereeing the Election While Running in the Field
McClatchy DC – Tim Johnson | Published: 10/18/2018

In three states, the referee for the midterm elections is also on the field as a player. Elected secretaries of state in Georgia and Kansas, who in their official capacities oversee the elections in their states, are running for governor. Ohio’s secretary of state is running for lieutenant governor. They have faced scattered calls to resign but have refused to do so. Election reformers say the situation underscores the conflict-of-interest when an official has responsibilities for an election while also running as a candidate. While the three secretaries of state are Republican, concerns about inappropriate actions by partisans who hold the office transcend parties.

Federal:

Inside the Saudis’ Washington Influence Machine: How the kingdom gained power through fierce lobbying and charm offensives
MSN – Tom Hamburger, Justin Reinhard, and Justin Moyer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/21/2018

A sophisticated influence machine has shaped policy and perceptions of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. for decades, batting back critiques of the kingdom by doling out millions of dollars to lobbyists, law firms, prominent think tanks, and large defense contractors. In 2017, Saudi payments to lobbyists and consultants in Washington more than tripled over the previous year. Beyond their spending, the Saudis have enjoyed a priceless advantage: a warm relationship with President Trump, who has done business its wealthy citizens, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who developed a close bond with the crown prince as he crafted the administration’s Middle East policy.

U.S. Begins First Cyberoperation Against Russia Aimed at Protecting Elections
MSN – Julian Barnes (New York Times) | Published: 10/23/2018

The United States Cyber Command is targeting individual Russian operatives to try to deter them from spreading disinformation to interfere in elections, telling them that American operatives have identified them and are tracking their work. The campaign, which includes missions undertaken in recent days, is the first known overseas cyberoperation to protect U.S. elections, including the November midterms. The operations come as the Justice Department recently outlined a campaign of “information warfare” by Russians aimed at influencing the midterm elections, highlighting the broad threat the American government sees from Moscow’s influence campaign.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska: State Regulators to Alaska Lobbyist: Stop helping candidates raise money
Alaska Public Media – Nathaniel Hertz | Published: 10/18/2018

Alaska lobbyists have been breaking an anti-corruption law by promoting fundraising events on behalf of candidates, according to a preliminary opinion from the state’s campaign finance watchdog. Lobbyist Ashley Reed asked for the formal opinion from the Alaska Public Offices Commission. He wanted to know whether state law allows for lobbyists to email copies of invitations to fundraisers for political candidates. The Legislature banned lobbyists from engaging in fundraising activity more than two decades ago. But despite the ban, Reed and lobbyist Jerry Mackie have been sending copies of fundraiser invitations to their clients and friends.

Florida: Text Messages Raise New Questions Over Andrew Gillum’s Lobbyist Connections
WRAL – Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) | Published: 10/23/2018

Undercover FBI agents paid for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s hotel room and his ticket to the Broadway musical “Hamilton” during a 2016 trip to New York City, according to newly released documents that raise questions just before Florida’s gubernatorial election, in which Gillum is locked in a close race with former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis. Text messages between Gillum and former lobbyist Adam Corey, who set up meetings with the agents, show Gillum knew the tickets came from men he believed to be businesspeople looking to develop property in Tallahassee, but were undercover FBI agents investigating public corruption in the city. The records contradicted Gillum’s past statements on the state ethics probe.

Indiana: No Charges Against Hill, But Investigation Reveals Searing New Details
Indianapolis Star – Tony Cook, Ryan Martin, and Kaitlin Lange | Published: 10/23/2018

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will not be charged over allegations he groped a state lawmaker and several staffers at a party celebrating the end of the legislative session. He also was cleared of any ethical breaches by the inspector general’s office. Special Prosecutor Daniel Sigler, who said he believed the women’s stories to be “true and credible,” announced that bringing charges would be difficult due to the time that elapsed between the alleged incident in March and the filing of the claims against Hill. But the fallout from Hill’s alleged behavior that night is likely to continue as his accusers prepare a civil lawsuit and Republican leaders continue to call for his resignation.

Kentucky: Kentucky AG Defends Campaign Finance Reform in Sixth Circuit
Courthouse News Service – Kevin Koeninger | Published: 10/18/2018

The constitutionality of several Kentucky ethics laws was debated before a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, with the state’s attorney general arguing they are necessary to maintain citizens’ confidence in the government. Plaintiffs alleged numerous restrictions on campaign financing and lobbying were unconstitutional, including contribution limits and a prohibition on gifts to legislators and their spouses. Kentucky made sweeping changes to its campaign finance laws in 2017, which mooted several of the plaintiffs’ claims. But U.S. District Court Judge William Bertelsman sided with the plaintiffs on several issues last year. Bertelsman struck down the law that prevents legislators and their spouses from receiving “anything of value,” ruling the statute was unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.

Maine: Crowdfunding of Collins Opponent in 2020 Likely Faces Legal Challenge
Lewiston Sun Journal – Kevin Collins (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 10/22/2018

In an effort to pressure U.S. Sen. Susan Collins on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, organizers pledged to collect contributions nationwide and give them to a hypothetical Democratic challenger in 2020 if Collins voted to confirm the nominee. If she opposed Kavanaugh, whose nomination nearly collapsed amid allegations of sexual misconduct, no money would be collected. The unprecedented campaign, which Collins has labeled a bribe, is a testament to the power of small-dollar “crowdfunding” at a time when corporations, interest groups, and wealthy donors can dump unlimited money into elections. Yet the tactics used by the three organizations behind the campaign to pressure Collins are raising sticky legal questions that could end up in court, with national implications.

Missouri: Clean Missouri Proposition Puts Redistricting Front and Center, Limits Lobbyist Influence
St. Louis Public Radio – Jason Rosenbaum | Published: 10/23/2018

Amendment 1 on the November ballot in Missouri would limit the meals, entertainment, and travel a lobbyist can give a lawmaker, and place a two-year waiting period on lawmakers and their staff to become lobbyists. It would also lower contributions limits for state House and Senate candidates, as well as alter how state legislative districts are drawn. Supporters believe the measure will make lawmakers more responsive to people instead of special interest groups or lobbyists. Detractors believe the initiative is not about improving ethics, and instead is about giving Democrats a leg up on the state legislative redistricting process.

New Hampshire: N.H. Legislators Look to Lobbyists for Reliable Source of Re-Election Cash
New Hampshire Public Radio – Casey McDermott | Published: 10/19/2018

A review of fundraising reports in New Hampshire over the most recent legislative session shows donations from lobbying interests with a direct stake in the decisions made by state senators accounted for roughly half of all the money raised by those same senators’ re-election campaigns. The rate of reliance on lobbying money varied from as little as 16 percent to 75 percent or more. In many cases, senators’ fundraising reports reflected the intersection of money and influence inherent to statehouse lobbying. Candidates can, and often do, accept separate contributions from lobbying firms, the lobbyists they employ, and the clients they represent, magnifying their impact in legislative races.

New York: Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, Gets 4 Years and 3 Months in Prison
WRAL – Benjamin Weiser and Vivian Wang (New York Times) | Published: 10/24/2018

Former New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos was sentenced to four years and three months in prison on federal corruption charges, including soliciting bribes and defrauding the public. The sentence was lighter than the five years that the same judge imposed in 2016 when he was convicted on the same charges. That conviction was overturned. Skelos’ son, Adam, who was convicted along with his father, was sentenced to four years in prison. Prosecutors accused Dean Skelos of using his position to pressure three companies to provide his son with consulting work, a “no-show” job, and a $20,000 payment.

North Dakota: All of the Above? The Ancient Voting Method One City Might Adopt
Governing – Alan Greenblatt | Published: 10/19/2018

In November, voters in Fargo, North Dakota, will decide whether to adopt a ballot measure that would create a system known as “approval voting” for local elections. Under the system, everybody can vote for as many candidates as they would like. If there are four candidates for the city commission, for example, you could choose to vote for one of them, or for two, or for the whole lot. Unlike the other multiple-choice method known as ranked-choice voting, which is gaining favor in some places, each vote would count the same. The person with the highest total would win. Supporters say voters would not have to worry about wasting votes on spoilers with little chance of winning since they can also select candidates expected to be more popular. In theory, however, candidates with extreme viewpoints would have a harder time since the winner would have to be broadly acceptable to most voters.

Pennsylvania: Ex-Allentown Mayor Gets 15 Years in Prison on Corruption Charges
Philadelphia Inquirer – Associated Press | Published: 10/23/2018

Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski was sentenced to 15 years in prison on corruption charges. He was convicted of trading city contracts for campaign donations to fund his bids for mayor, governor, and U.S. Senate. Jurors found him guilty on 47 counts in connection to eight schemes, including those involving contracts for a city pool, tax collection service, cybersecurity, and streetlight installation. Pawlowski must also pay more than $93,000 in restitution in restitution to the city and to vendors that prosecutors say were cheated out of a fair and open bidding process.

South Carolina: Should SC Roads Be Named After Lawmakers Who Have Pleaded Guilty to Corruption?
The State – Avery Wilks | Published: 10/22/2018

A few days after he resigned from the South Carolina Senate and pleaded guilty to misconduct in office, John Courson asked the Department of Transportation to remove the signs bearing his name from a state road. But another former state senator, Robert Ford, who pleaded guilty to corruption in 2015, says he earned the right to have a Charleston road named after him and would not give up the honor. Unseemly exits from the South Carolina General Assembly can create a host of awkward circumstances. Among them: what to do with the state roads or buildings named after politicians who have admitted to corruption?

Gov. Bill Walker dropped out of his race for re-election on October 19, just days after his lieutenant governor resigned for making “inappropriate” comments.

Public and private polling showed him trailing in third place, behind Republican Mike Dunleavy and Democrat Mark Begich.

While dropping out, Gov. Walker said, “Alaskans deserve a competitive race,” and then endorsed Begich to replace him.

Due to the timing of the announcement, Walker’s name will still appear on the ballot.

Campaign Finance

California: “Supervisors Order Destruction of Campaign Money Enforcement Emails” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

Maine: “Crowdfunding of Collins Opponent in 2020 Likely Faces Legal Challenge” by Kevin Collins (Portland Press Herald) for Lewiston Sun Journal

Maryland: “Prince George’s Approves Matching Funds for Local Candidates – Starting in 2026” by Rachel Chason for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Allentown Mayor Gets 15 Years in Prison on Corruption Charges” by Associated Press for Philadelphia Inquirer

Washington: “Corporate Dollars Gushing into Washington’s Initiative Campaigns Spur Push for New Campaign-Finance Laws” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Elections

Federal: “U.S. Begins First Cyberoperation Against Russia Aimed at Protecting Elections” by Julian Barnes (New York Times) for MSN

Michigan: “Lack of Precedent Clouds Brenda Jones’ Bid for Conyers Seat” by Melissa Nann Burke for Detroit News

Ethics

Alabama: “Former Drummond V.P. and Balch Lawyer Sentenced to Federal Prison” by Ivana Hrynkiw for AL.com

Colorado: “Ethics Commission Votes to Investigate Complaint Against Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper” by Anna Staver for Denver Post

Lobbying

Florida: “Text Messages Raise New Questions Over Andrew Gillum’s Lobbyist Connections” by Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) for WRAL

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Opponents Say Amendment 75 Wrong Way to Take on Colorado’s Millionaire Candidates” by Michael De Yoanna for KUNC

Maine: “Portlanders Will Vote on Requiring More Campaign Finance Transparency” by Randy Billings for Portland Press Herald

Elections

Federal: “Special Counsel Examines Conflicting Accounts as Scrutiny of Roger Stone and WikiLeaks Deepens” by Carol Leonnig, Manuel Roig-Franzia, and Rosalind Helderman (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

National: “Three Secretaries of State Are Refereeing the Election While Running in the Field” by Tim Johnson for McClatchy DC

Ethics

Federal: “Supreme Court Shields Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross from Answering Questions in Census Controversy” by Robert Barnes and Tara Bahrampour (Washington Post) for MSN

Indiana: “Indiana Attorney General Won’t Be Charged in Alleged Groping” by Rick Callahan (Associated Press) for Chicago Sun-Times

Missouri: “Clean Missouri Proposition Puts Redistricting Front and Center, Limits Lobbyist Influence” by Jason Rosenbaum for St. Louis Public Radio

Pennsylvania: “Four Years Later, Pa. Lawmaker from Philly Charged in Sting Case Faces Trial” by Angela Couloumbis for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Carolina: “Ex-SC Rep. Harrison ‘Trampled’ on Ethics Law, ‘Lied’ About Quinn, Prosecutor Says” by John Monk for The State

Federal judges have appointed a University of California political science professor, Bernard Grofman, to redraw House of Delegates congressional maps.

In June, the court ordered lawmakers to redraw lines to address racial gerrymandering by the end of October.

The General Assembly was not able to agree on a legislative solution and Gov. Northam promised to veto any redistricting bills sent to his desk.

The court will hold another conference to schedule the process but has indicated a new map will be enacted by March 28, 2019.

Pictured: University of California professor Bernard Grofman

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Citing Missing Contributions, Elections Board Refers Charlotte Lawmaker to Prosecutors” by Jim Morrill and Craig Jarvis for Raleigh News and Observer

Elections

Federal: “GOP War Room Blasts Endless Stream of Criticism at Democrats, with Warren Its Latest Target” by Michael Scherer for Washington Post

Federal: “Justice Dept. Accuses Russians of Interfering in Midterm Elections” by Adam Goldman (New York Times) for WRAL

Alaska: “Alaska Governor Says He Quit Reelection Race to Boost Democrat” by The Associated Press for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

Federal: “Trump Appointee Tapped Days Ago to Run Interior Department’s Watchdog Office Resigns Amid Controversy” by Lisa Rein, Josh Dawsey, and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

Idaho: “Does Idaho Need to Drain the Swamp? State Lags in National Anti-Corruption Ranking” by Kelly Browning for McClatchy DC

Oregon: “Lawmakers Ignored Subpoenas in Sex Harassment Case, Labor Commissioner Says” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

South Carolina: “Should SC Roads Be Named After Lawmakers Who Have Pleaded Guilty to Corruption?” by Avery Wilks for The State

Sen. Majority Leader Mark Norris was appointed as judge to a U.S. District Court on October 11.

Norris announced on October 16 that due to time restraints and official duties he won’t be able to step down from his District 32 Senate seat by Election Day on November 6.

This will trigger a special election and potentially a temporary appointment until the seat is filled.

On October 15, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned a special session after passing the Hurricane Florence Emergency Response Act to establish a fund to provide relief and assistance from the effects of Hurricane Florence.

The Act also granted funds to the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement to educate the public about voting in the November 2018 election, specifically in counties designated under the disaster declaration by the president.

An October 16 ruling by the Wake County Superior Court found the legislative provisions creating the Bipartisan Board unconstitutional. The court, however, stayed the injunction concerning the activity of the Bipartisan Board until after the November election.

Campaign Finance

Kentucky: “Kentucky AG Defends Campaign Finance Reform in Sixth Circuit” by Kevin Koeninger for Courthouse News Service

National: “How a Billionaire from Another State Could Influence Your Elections” by Liz Essley Whyte for Center for Public Integrity

Ethics

Federal: “Interior Secretary Zinke’s Approach to Wife’s Travels Raised Red Flags, Report Finds” by Juliet Eilperin, Lisa Rein, and Josh Dawsey for Washington Post

Florida: “Andrew Gillum, a Florida Insider Running as a Progressive Outsider” by Matt Flegenheimer and Patricia Mazzei for New York Times

Washington: “No Swamp Here: Washington tops all states in anti-corruption ranking” by Kellen Browning (McClatchy DC) for Bellingham Herald

Lobbying

Alaska: “State Regulators to Alaska Lobbyist: Stop helping candidates raise money” by Nathaniel Hertz for Alaska Public Media

Federal: “Saudi Lobbying in the U.S. Has Tripled Since Trump Took Office” by Alana Abramson for Time

Hawaii: “Why Are City Lawmakers Involved in This Lobbyist’s Backyard Tiff?” by Natanya Friedheim for Honolulu Civil Beat

New Hampshire: “N.H. Legislators Look to Lobbyists for Reliable Source of Re-Election Cash” by Casey McDermott for New Hampshire Public Radio

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Former Democratic Legislator Ernie Newton Wins New Trial in Campaign Finance Case” by Christopher Keating for Hartford Courant

Massachusetts: “Mass. Fiscal Alliance Sues State Over Its Campaign Finance Law” by Bob Katzen for Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise

Elections

National: “Now for Rent: Email addresses and phone numbers for millions of Trump supporters” by Kenneth Vogel and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for MSN

National: “In Senate Battleground, Native American Voting Rights Activists Fight Back Against Voter ID Restrictions” by Gabriel Pogrund and Felicia Sonmez for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “First Came a Flood of Ballot Measures from Voters. Then Politicians Pushed Back.” by Timothy Mitchell for New York Times

National: “Watchdog: Issues with IRS processing of improper political activity complaints” by Naomi Jagoda for The Hill

National: “Wilbur Ross Changes Story on Discussions of Citizenship Question for Census” by Glernn Thrush and Adam Liptak for New York Times

Colorado: “Gov. Hickenlooper Jet-Sets Across the Globe on Private Planes Paid for By Others, New Ethics Complaint Alleges” by David Migoya for Denver Post

New Mexico: “Long Road Brings NM Ethics Commission Proposal to Ballot” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal