Campaign Finance

National: “Golf Courses, Dallas Cowboys: Report questions how Congress spends campaign money” by Lesley Clark for McClatchy DC

South Dakota: “Rich Relatives Are Unlimited Source of Campaign Cash in South Dakota” by Seth Tupper for Rapid City Journal

Elections

National: “In a Year of Political Logos, Campaigns of All Stripes Preferred Blue” by Chris Alcantara for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “‘Nothing on This Page Is Real’: How lies become truth in online America” by Eli Saslow (Washington Post) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

National: “House Ethics Committee Sanctions Two Members Over Sexual Harassment Allegations” by Michael Brice-Saddler for Chicago Tribune

National: “Supreme Court Will Weigh Trump’s Plan to Add Citizenship Question to 2020 Census” by Charles Savage for Los Angeles Times

National: “Senate Democrats Sue to Block Whitaker from Serving as Acting AG” by Cailtin Opresko for Politico

Connecticut: “State Ethics Board to Appeal Court Ruling in UConn Football Coach Randy Edsall’s Case” by Dave Altimeri for Hartford Courant

Kansas: “Leavenworth County Official: ‘Master race’ comment was misconstrued by public, media” by Katy Bergen for Kansas City Star

Oregon: “Former Oregon State Board Director Faces $20,000 Ethics Fine, but He’s Not Here” by Ben Botkin for Salem Statesman-Journal

Lobbying

Utah: “‘Killing Two Birds with One Stone’: Lobbyist, political news publisher and columnist asks for an interview and offers campaign cash in email to state senator” by Benjamin Wood for Salt Lake Tribune

Federal:

Banner Year for Female Candidates Doesn’t Extend to Republican Women
MSN – Susan Chira (New York Times) | Published: 11/15/2018

The number of Republican women in Congress next year will drop, even as the ranks of Democratic women swell to record heights. With a few races still undecided, the new Congress will have at least 105 Democratic women and 19 Republican women. From Congress to governor to state Legislatures, far more Democratic women ran in this cycle than Republican women. And that means fewer Republican women on the bench, gathering experience and credentials to move up to the next level. With fewer women as candidates and officeholders, Republicans risk further widening a gender gap already at historic levels, since far more women vote Democratic than Republican, said Mirya Holman of Tulane University.

Delay, Deny and Deflect: How Facebook’s leaders fought through crisis
MSN – Sheera Frenkel, Nicholas Confessore, Cecilia Kang, Matthew Rosenberg, and Jack Nicas (New York Times) | Published: 11/14/2018

Facebook has reshaped political campaigns, the advertising business, and daily life around the world. But as evidence mounted that Facebook’s power could also be exploited to disrupt elections, broadcast viral propaganda, and inspire campaigns of hate, founder Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg stumbled. Bent on growth, the pair ignored warning signs and then sought to conceal them from public view. Sandberg has overseen a lobbying campaign to combat Facebook’s critics and ward off regulation. Allies of Facebook in Washington, D.C. intervened on its behalf. But trust in the company has sunk, while its growth has slowed. Regulators and law enforcement officials are investigating Facebook’s conduct with Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm that worked with Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.

House Democrats’ Win Fuels K Street Hiring
Politico – Theodoric Meyer and Marianne Levine | Published: 11/7/2018

The Democratic takeover of the U.S. House, even as Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate, ends two years of unified GOP control of Washington in which corporate America and its lobbyists saw major victories, including a tax bill that slashed the corporate rate and extensive deregulation. Washington offices of major corporations now are grappling with how to work a Democratic House full of newly elected members, many of whom ran on promises to resist special interests and who are generally younger and more diverse than the denizens of K Street. Some lobbying firms, the biggest of which are typically bipartisan and pride themselves on their ability to thrive no matter which party is in power, and companies have already hired new Democratic lobbyists in anticipation the party might take back the House.

Trump Involved in ‘Nearly Every Step’ of Hush-Money Payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal: WSJ
CNBC – Kevin Brueniger and Dan Mangan | Published: 11/9/2018

President Trump was heavily involved during his presidential campaign in silencing the stories of women who claimed to have extramarital affairs with him, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal that contradicts repeated denials from Trump. Federal prosecutors have gathered evidence that Trump worked with his friend and media executive David Pecker to use the National Enquirer tabloid to buy the silence of adult-film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump was allegedly involved in nearly every step of the process to prevent Daniels and McDougal from publicizing their stories and worked with his longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen to coordinate the deals.

Trump Seeks to Land Blow Against Media in Court Fight with CNN
Politico – Jason Schwartz and Michael Calderone | Published: 11/14/2018

Trump administration lawyers asserted in court that the president could bar “all reporters” from the White House complex for any reason he sees fit. The sweeping claim, which came in the first public hearing over CNN’s lawsuit to restore correspondent Jim Acosta’s White House credentials, could have a dramatic impact on news organizations’ access to government officials if it is upheld in court. CNN argued in its lawsuit that the White House infringed on Acosta’s First Amendment rights by revoking his access in response to a dispute at a recent press conference. The arguments represented an escalation in Trump’s fight against the media, with more than a dozen news organizations weighing in on CNN’s side.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama: How a Top Official Landed in Criminal Trouble
E&E News – Sean Reilly | Published: 11/14/2018

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official in the Trump administration was indicted on charges stemming from a previous job. Trey Glenn, director for the agency’s southeast region, helped a law firm fight potential EPA actions to clean up contaminated sites in Alabama on behalf of Drummond Co., which could be responsible for the cleanups. A grand jury indicted Glenn and former Alabama Environmental Management Commissioner Scott Phillips for their roles in the controversial efforts. A federal jury earlier this year convicted Balch partner Joel Gilbert and Drummond vice president David Roberson for bribing an Alabama lawmaker as part of the effort to stop the cleanup effort. Glenn and Phillips were both called as witnesses in that trial, and evidence showed they were closely with Balch on the effort to stop the cleanups.

California: SoccerCity Document Leak by San Diego Councilman Prompts Tougher Restrictions
San Diego Union Tribune – David Garrick | Published: 11/13/2018

Prompted by Councilperson Chris Cate’s sharing of confidential documents with SoccerCity investors last year, the San Diego City Council approved tighter restrictions on the handling of such documents. The tougher guidelines aim to prevent future disclosures and make it easier to prosecute leakers. In case a leak still occurs despite the new rules, the council also voted to make it illegal for lobbyists who may receive confidential documents from “using, accepting, or disclosing” them in any way. To avoid potential loopholes, the council added language saying a lobbyist also cannot disseminate a confidential document and cannot use intermediaries to disseminate it, such as a relative.

Florida: Inside the Republican Strategy to Discredit the Florida Recount
MSN – Jeremy Peters and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 11/13/2018

Republicans’ strategy in Florida this year to discredit the recount in the close U.S. Senate race reflects their experience in the 2000 presidential election in the state. GOP strategists say they prevailed then largely because they approached the recount as they did the race itself, with legal, political, and public relations components that allowed them to outmaneuver Democrats. The effort Gov. Rick Scott and allies are waging today is similar to that multifront war in 2000 led by the George W. Bush campaign and an army of party consultants. Lawyers are filing complaints in Tallahassee; surrogates for Scott are holding news conference calls with journalists and sitting for interviews on television, blaming Democrats for tarnishing the integrity of the electoral process; and party officials are encouraging demonstrators to gather at sites where the recounts are taking place.

Missouri: Despite Election Night Victory, Fight Over Ethics Overhaul in Missouri May Not Be Over
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 11/11/2018

Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment to change ethics laws and overhaul the way the state’s political maps are drawn. But with the changes scheduled to start going into effect December 6, the initiative could face another round of scrutiny in a courtroom and at the Capitol. The same groups of opponents who tried to keep the “Clean Missouri” initiative off the ballot say they are mulling further legal action aimed at stopping the reforms. “We fully intend to oppose Clean Missouri any way we can,” said Dan Mehan, executive director of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Senate President Pro Tem-elect Dave Schatz said the Legislature may want to tinker with certain parts of the initiative.

New Jersey: Bankers’ Group Seeks End to Ban on Gifts to Local Candidates
Yahoo! Finance – Charles Toutant (Law.com) | Published: 11/11/2018

A century-old law barring banks from making contributions to candidates in local and state elections is being challenged by the New Jersey Bankers Association. The bankers filed suit seeking a declaration that the ban is unconstitutional, and asking for an order enjoining enforcement. The lawsuit claims banks’ First Amendment rights are violated by the inability to make campaign contributions. Banks are banned from making contributions of any kind or amount to, or in support of, political parties or candidates for any state or local office under the New Jersey statute. But nonbank corporations are not subject to any such prohibition, with a few exceptions, according to the plaintiff.

North Dakota: Victorious North Dakota Measure 1 Supporters Expect More Work, Lawsuits
Bismarck Tribune – Tru-Uyen Tran (Forum News Service) | Published: 11/8/2018

Voters may have approved North Dakota’s Measure 1 aimed at combating corruption but the group behind it has no plans to break up anytime soon. Being a constitutional amendment, the measure relies on lawmakers to implement it, which creates opportunities for supporters and opponents to influence that process. Ellen Chaffee, one of the founders of North Dakotans for Public Integrity, said her group will also stay together because it is anticipating legal challenges by opponents. Passage means that, among other things, the “ultimate and true source” of money spent on media to influence politics must be disclosed, lobbyists can no longer give gifts to public officials, and a state ethics commission must be formed to investigate violations.

Oregon: Oregon Lawmaker Under Scrutiny for Posting Home Addresses of Ballot Measure Petitioners
Governing – Maxine Bernstein (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 11/15/2018

A gun control advocacy group called on the Oregon House to investigate state Rep. Bill Post for putting online the phone numbers and home addresses of the chief petitioners of a ballot measure to ban assault weapons. In a Facebook post, Post encouraged gun rights supporters to personally contact three Portland clergy leading the initiative campaign to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines in Oregon. He posted the message on the Facebook page of a group called “The Heirs of Patrick Henry, Northwest.” The post led to harassing emails and phone calls to the petitioners, and it has had a chilling effect on others challenging the gun rights lobby, said Ceasefire Oregon Executive Director Penny Okamoto.

Virginia: U.S. Supreme Court to Take Up Virginia Redistricting Case on Racial Gerrymandering
Washington Post – Gregory Schneider and Robert Barnes | Published: 11/13/2018

The U.S. Supreme Court will take up the issue of redistricting in Virginia, agreeing to hear an appeal filed by Republican legislators after a lower court’s ruling that 11 House of Delegates districts must be redrawn to correct racial gerrymandering. The action does not appear to halt the redistricting process, though, which is underway at the hands of a special master. It will be the second time the high court has heard the case. It sided with challengers in demanding further review of the districts, drawn by Virginia Republicans to ensure that 55 percent of eligible voters were black. What remains to be seen is whether the Supreme Court will again take up the issue of partisan gerrymandering, which it has never found to be unconstitutional.

Campaign Finance

National: Corporate PACs Try to Rebuild Their Reputations After Midterms by Lorraine Woellert for Politico

Elections

National: In ‘Rainbow Wave,’ LGBT Candidates Are Elected in Record Numbers by Christina Caron (New York Times) for WRAL

North Carolina: Details of NC’s New Voter ID Requirement Still Need to Be Worked Out by Sarah Krueger for WRAL

Ethics

National: Ex-Congressman Sentenced to 10 Years for Stealing Charitable Donations by Matt Stevens (New York Times) for WRAL

New York: Eric Schneiderman Won’t Face Criminal Charges Over Allegations of Abuse by Camila Domonoske for National Public Radio

Oklahoma: Oklahoma Watch: Governor-elect Kevin Stitt’s business ties could cause conflicts of interest by Paul Monies (Oklahoma Watch) for Tulsa World

Lobbying

National: House Democrats’ Win Fuels K Street Hiring by Theodoric Meyer and Marianne Levine for Politico

Florida: Miami Tells Officials Not to Talk to Beckham Team Until Ethics Complaint Is Resolved by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

National:

Forget the Russians. On This Election Day, It’s Americans Peddling Disinformation and Hate Speech.
Washington Post – Craig Timberg and Tony Romm | Published: 11/6/2018

Even as Silicon Valley has become more aggressive in battling foreign efforts to influence U.S. politics, it is losing innumerable cat-and-mouse games with Americans who are eagerly deploying the same techniques used by the Russians in 2016. Experts point to a rampant online spread of misleading reports and images about the migrant caravan in Mexico, for example – and especially the demonstrably false allegations that billionaire George Soros is funding a violent “invasion” of the United States. Accounts controlled by Russians probably helped amplify such misleading narratives, but the evidence so far is they started with American political activists who are increasingly adept at online manipulation techniques but enjoy broad free-speech protections that tech companies have been reluctant to challenge.

Industries Turn Freedom of Information Requests on Their Critics
WRAL – Elizabeth Williamson | Published: 11/5/2018

Dennis Ventry Jr., a law professor at the University of California, Davis, drew the ire of tax preparation companies by criticizing a deal they have to provide a free tax filing service through the IRS. The companies promptly hit back with a tactic that corporations, lobbyists, and interest groups are increasingly using against academic researchers: their trade coalition filed a public records request with the university seeking everything Ventry had written or said about the companies this year, including emails, text messages, voice mails, and hand-jotted notes. It was just one example of how both state-level public records laws and the Freedom of Information Act, written to ensure transparency and accountability in government, have morphed into potent weapons in legal and business disputes, raising questions about the chilling effects, and cost, they impose on targets who are doing research in controversial or sensitive fields.

Federal:

Anyone Can Make a Super PAC – Even Prisoners and Kids Who Can’t Vote
Center for Responsive Politics – Kaitlin Washburn | Published: 11/1/2018

Super PACs wield massive financial power and influence in elections. Just this cycle alone, super PACs registered with the FEC have received over $1.3 billion and have spent $695 million. And by following a few simple steps, most anyone can own a super PAC. The Center for Responsive Politics identified eight super PACs created by people who cannot participate in elections. Some of them were started by teenagers who cannot vote, while others were formed by people in prison.

Far-Right Internet Groups Listen for Trump’s Approval, and Often Hear It
MSN – Kevin Roose and Ali Winston (New York Times) | Published: 11/4/2018

As President Trump waged a fear-based campaign to drive Republican voters to the polls for the midterm elections, far-right internet communities have been buoyed as their once-fringe views have been given oxygen by Republicans. These radical communities have entered into a sort of imagined dialogue with the president. They create and disseminate slogans and graphics and celebrate when they show up in Trump’s Twitter feed days or weeks later. They carefully dissect his statements, looking for hints of their influence. And when they find those clues, they take them as evidence that Trump is “/ourguy/,” a label for people internet extremists believe share their views, but who are unable to say so directly in public.

Lobbyists Hit Campaign Trail to Help Old Bosses, Earn ‘a Little Bit of Currency’
Politico – Theodoric Meyer | Published: 11/3/2018

Members of Congress received help before Election Day from a tiny but influential subset of on-the-ground volunteers: Washington D.C. lobbyists eager to help their old bosses, and perhaps their own careers. Lobbyists fanned out across the country to knock on doors for favored candidates, nearly a dozen of them said in interviews and emails. Building relationships with lawmakers and their staffs is crucial to success on K Street and spending a couple of days knocking on doors is one way to strengthen that bond. Some in the industry also remain close to old bosses on Capitol Hill or just want to get out of Washington and dabble in campaigning for a few days.

Sessions’s Ouster Throws Future of Special Counsel Probe into Question
MSN – Rosalind Helderman, Matt Zapotosky, and Carol Leonnig (Washington Post) | Published: 11/7/2018

Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned at the request of President Trump, causing uncertainty in the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump named as acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker, Sessions’ chief of staff. A Justice Department official said Whitaker would assume final decision-making authority over special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. As a legal commentator, Whitaker has said Mueller appeared to be taking his investigation too far. There were immediate calls by Democrats and watchdogs for Whitaker to recuse himself. Democrats, emboldened by winning control of the U.S. House, also promised to investigate Sessions’ forced resignation and suggested Trump’s actions could amount to obstruction of justice if he intended to disrupt the criminal inquiry.

Three Candidates Indicted on Felony Fraud Charges Survive Midterms. One Just Barely.
Washington Post – Meagan Flynn | Published: 11/7/2018

Three Republican candidates facing an assortment of corruption charges appeared to squeak past their Democratic opponents to hang onto their jobs. They include U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, indicted on charges of wire fraud and accusations he funded a luxurious lifestyle with campaign donations; U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, indicted on insider trading charges; and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. indicted on felony securities fraud charges in state court, accused of lying to friends and potential investors about his financial stake in a technology company. Despite the close races in solid-red territory, their apparent victories highlight the polarizing political climate in which criminal investigations into elected officials are frequently met with more sympathy among supporters than scorn.

White House Shares Doctored Video to Support Punishment of Journalist Jim Acosta
MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 11/8/2018

CNN’s Jim Acosta had his White House press credentials revoked, with the Trump administration claiming he manhandled a female intern. During a press conference, Acosta got into a spat with the president and persisted in asking questions, and a female intern tried to take his microphone away from him. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders posted an edited video of the incident where the action is generally slowed down but speeds up right before the moment of contact to create the false impression of a deliberate jab on the part of Acosta. The event highlighted how video content, seen as a verification tool for truth and confirmation, has become as vulnerable to political distortion as anything else.

From the States and Municipalities:

Florida: Before Going to Prison, Former Opa-locka Commissioner Worked on Political Campaigns
Miami Herald – Jay Weaver and Maya Kaufman | Published: 11/6/2018

Before he surrendered to a correctional facility, former Opa-locka City Commissioner Luis Santiago – who pleaded guilty to pocketing thousands of dollars in bribes – spent the fall election season working as a campaign aide for John Riley, an Opa-locka commissioner running for mayor, and other candidates on the November 6 ballot. Riley said he had no qualms about hiring Santiago as a part-time campaign worker, despite his pleading guilty to extorting money from Opa-locka businesses seeking city permits and contracts. “It kept his mind busy and gave him a sense of purpose,” Riley said. “It’s depressing knowing that you’re going to be facing prison.”

Missouri: Amendment 1: Voters strongly support Clean Missouri redistricting plan, ethics reform
Columbia Missourian – David Reynolds, Thomas Oide, and Tessa Weinberg | Published: 11/6/2018

Amendment 1 was approved by Missouri voters. It bans all lobbyist gifts in the General Assembly worth more than five dollars and requires politicians to wait at least two years after the conclusion of the legislative session in which they last served before becoming lobbyists. Amendment 1 also lowers the $2,600 campaign contribution limit for state legislative candidates and requires legislative records to be subject to the state’s open records law. The amendment’s changes to the redistricting process have caused the most controversy. A nonpartisan state demographer will be tasked with drawing the districts and a bipartisan commission will review the results.

New York: Lobbyist Arrested, Accused of Bribing State Legislator
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle – Gary Craig | Published: 11/1/2018

Albany-based lobbyist Robert Scott Gaddy faces federal charges for offering to pay a bribe during an investigation that already includes the arrest of New York Assemblyperson Joseph Errigo. Gaddy’s arrest grew out of an FBI investigation into fraud and corruption in a redevelopment project in Rochester. Federal authorities say that while investigating the project, agents learned of possible criminal conduct by Gaddy. A person working with the FBI allegedly approached Gaddy about paying a bribe to a member of the Assembly. “Yeah … yeah, no problem,” Gaddy responded, according to the FBI. Authorities alleged Errigo took money from a lobbyist to introduce legislation designed to stop the project.

North Dakota: Aimed at Combating Corruption, North Dakota Voters Pass Measure 1
Dickinson Press – Tu-Uyen Tran | Published: 11/6/2018

Voters in North Dakota approved Measure 1 on the November 6 ballot. It will, among other provisions, require the Legislature to pass laws requiring the disclosure of the “ultimate and true source” of money spent on media to influence campaigns, ban lobbyists from giving gifts to public officials, prohibit politicians from using campaign funds for personal purposes, and create a state ethics commission to investigate violations.

South Dakota: Out-Of-State Initiative Money Ban Likely to Face Challenge
Rapid City Journal – James Nord (Associated Press) | Published: 11/7/2018

South Dakota’s first-in-the-nation law that bans out-of-state money from ballot question campaigns faces an uncertain future, with critics saying it is likely to be challenged in court. The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution’s free-speech protections as prohibiting any limitations on money in ballot measure elections, Paul S. Ryan, vice president of policy and litigation at Common Cause, has said. The high court has said contributions to candidates can be limited to prevent the corruption of public officials. At least two states, Alaska and Hawaii, restrict out-of-state donations to candidates, but Alaska’s limits face a court challenge.

Campaign Finance

Federal: “House Dem Candidates Snag Free Office Rent” by Scott Bland for Politico

Canada: “Alberta Tables Bill Proposing Changes to Municipal Elections” by Charles Lefebvre for Chat News Today

Alaska: “As Alaska’s Elections Come Down to Wire, Ads Test Limits of Campaign Finance Laws” by Zachariah Hughes for Alaska Public Media

Elections

National: “Forget the Russians. On This Election Day, It’s Americans Peddling Disinformation and Hate Speech.” by Craig Timnberg and Tony Romm for Washington Post

Florida: “Before Going to Prison, Former Opa-locka Commissioner Worked on Political Campaigns” by Jay Weaver and Maya Kaufman for Miami Herald

Ethics

Federal: “Newly Released Emails Suggest Zinke Contradicted Ethics Pledge” by Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) for MSN

Federal: “China Greenlights Large Batch of Ivanka Trump Trademark Applications” by Gary Shih for Washington Post

Lobbying

National: “Industries Turn Freedom of Information Requests on Their Critics” by Elizabeth Williamson for WRAL

Campaign Finance

Federal: “Anyone Can Make a Super PAC – Even Prisoners and Kids Who Can’t Vote” by Kaitlin Washburn for Center for Responsive Politics

Elections

Federal: “In Email to Trump’s Campaign Strategist, Roger Stone Implied He Knew of WikiLeaks’s Plans” by Sharon LaFraniere, Michael Schmidt, Maggie Haberman, and Danny Hakim (New York Times) for MSN

Ethics

Connecticut: “Judge Rules UConn Did Not Violate Ethics Law in Hiring Football Coach Randy Edsall’s Son” by Dave Altimeri for Hartford Courant

Nebraska: “UNL Professor Files Ethics Complaint, Alleging Fortenberry’s Chief of Staff Threatened Him Over Facebook Post” by Joseph Morton for Omaha World-Herald

Lobbying

Canada: “Senators Are Being Lobbied More Than Ever – And Some Are Feeling Overwhelmed” by John Paul Tasker for CBC

New York: “Lobbyist Arrested, Accused of Bribing State Legislator” by Gary Craig for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

National:

‘My Comrades Will Kill You’: Pipe bombs sent in year of many death threats against politicians
Governing – Alan Greenblatt | Published: 10/25/2018

Political violence has dominated the news recently, with pipe bombs mailed to CNN’s New York office and prominent Democrats, as well as liberal donor George Soros and actor Robert De Niro. Threats of violence have become commonplace in American politics. New Jersey Rep. Jay Webber, a Republican candidate for Congress, received a note calling him a liar and a “scumbag” and threatening him and his children. “You BETTER hope that you don’t win! Or else,” the note read. “How many kids do you have…7? Unlucky 7. This is what we think of you. Time to get out of politics!” In a year when record numbers of women are running for office, many have been harassed or become targets of sexist or threatening remarks.

Voters Could Clamp Down on Ethics, Campaign Finance at The Ballot Box
National Public Radio – Peter Overby | Published: 10/30/2018

Voters in more than a dozen states will consider ballot measures on November 6 that would affect ethics and campaign finance reform. Some of the initiatives would exceed federal standards, which have been steadily relaxed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress last passed a major campaign finance bill in 2001. “It’s telling that we have so many challengers for Congress that are running on this issue,” said Larry Norden of New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice. “But to get real change now, the only way to do that is at the local and the state level.”

Federal:

How ActBlue Is Trying to Turn Small Donations into a Blue Wave
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine and Chris Zubak-Skees | Published: 10/25/2018

ActBlue, a nonprofit whose online fundraising tools have been used to varying degrees by nearly every Democrat running for Congress, says it has raised more than $2.9 billion for Democrats and progressive organizations since its founding in 2004. September 2018 was the biggest month in its history. Donors are using the platform to reshape the map of competitive races this year, becoming a powerful force that could sway Democratic politics beyond November’s election.

Mueller Refers Sex Misconduct Scheme Targeting Him to FBI for Investigation
NBC News – Brandy Zadrozny, Ben Collins, and Tom Winter | Published: 10/30/2018

Special counsel Robert Mueller has asked the FBI to investigate an alleged scheme to manufacture sexual assault stories about him. At issue is an email widely circulated among journalists from someone who claimed she had been approached with an offer to pay her tens of thousands of dollars if she would answer questions about Mueller and then sign a sworn affidavit accusing him of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment. The plot appeared to be the latest, and one of the more bizarre, in a string of attempts by supporters of President Trump to discredit Mueller’s investigation as a hoax and a witch hunt.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska: Begich Spent Four Years as a Consultant. As Governor, He Could Sign Bills Affecting Former Clients.
KTOO – Nathaniel Herz | Published: 10/30/2018

For nearly four years, Mark Begich has owned a public affairs and consulting firm, Northern Compass Group, which has worked with clients that intersect with both state and federal government. If Begich is elected as Alaska’s governor on November 6, he will likely be faced with decisions that will directly affect the businesses, unions, and Native organizations that have been paying his business for advice. Alaska politicians often emerge from the worlds of public policy and business, and Begich is far from the first with potential for conflicts. Begich’s work is significant, though, because of the number of clients he has had, as well as the recentness of his work, said state Rep. Jason Grenn, who helped lead a successful push for legislative ethics reforms this year.

Arizona: Arizona Commissioner Andy Tobin Texted APS Lobbyists Frequently, Including About Open Rate Case
Energy Policy Institute – David Pomerantz | Published: 10/29/2018

Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) member Andy Tobin exchanged text messages throughout 2018 with lobbyists from Arizona Public Service (APS), often to complain about negative media coverage of APS’ rate increase requests before the commission. On one occasion, Tobin asked an APS lobbyist whether the utility had a “public information strategy planned” to combat negative media coverage of a rate increase request while the case was still pending before Tobin and the commission. The ACC, which is supposed to regulate APS in the public’s interest, has been embattled by scandals for the past four years, ever since two non-profit “dark money” organizations spent $3 million on the ACC elections in 2014. APS never confirmed nor denied being the source of that money.

Maine: Pro-Offshore Oil Group Chaired by LePage Is Run by Energy Lobbyists
Biddeford Journal Tribune – Colin Woodward (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 10/28/2018

A coalition of governors headed by Maine Gov. Paul LePage that seeks to open most federal waters to oil and gas exploration is staffed by employees of an oil industry lobbying firm. The Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition, which LePage joined in 2015 and has chaired for the past two years, outsources its day-to-day staffing, research, and communications tasks to an advocacy group purporting to represent energy consumers. But a closer look at the group, the Consumer Energy Alliance, reveals it is funded by energy producers and staffed and run by senior officials of HBW Resources, an energy-focused lobbying and consulting firm.

Maryland: Question G Would Undercut Independence of Baltimore Ethics Board, Chairwoman Says
Baltimore Brew – Mark Ruettner | Published: 10/31/2018

Question G on the November ballot in Baltimore would tether the director of Legislative Reference to the mayor and city council president. The director of Legislative Reference is also the chief advisor to the city Board of Ethics. By making the director an “at will” employee of Mayor Catherine Pugh and Council President Bernard Young, as Question G does, that same employee is placed in a very awkward position on the ethics board. “Our director may be faced with having to handle an ethics complaint against one of the two people who appointed him,” said board Chairperson Linda Pierson.

Montana: How Big Sky Country Became the Front Line in a Long Battle Over Dark Money
Yahoo! News – Christa Case Bryant | Published: 10/29/2018

Two women are central figures in a fight in Montana over money in politics, one that may well set the tone for the rest of the nation. Jamie MacNaughton is the sole lawyer at the office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, which is tasked with enforcing Montana’s strict campaign finance laws. She is helping to prepare two cases under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court. Anita Milanovich serves as the Montana outpost for the Bopp Law Firm, which is led by the preeminent lawyer fighting campaign finance regulations across the country. Now the firm is pursuing the legal cases against MacNaughton’s office.

Oklahoma: Legislators Act As ‘Super Donors,’ Sending Their Own Donors’ Cash to Other Candidates
KGOU – Trevor Brown (Oklahoma Watch) | Published: 10/30/2018

A review of contributions in Oklahoma found sitting lawmakers and legislative candidates’ campaigns have given more than $746,000 to other legislative candidates since January 1, 2016. About 75 percent of the money came from about a dozen Republican and Democratic legislators, almost all of whom hold or have held leadership positions. The sharing of contributions means these lawmakers act as de facto “super donors,” or at least bundlers, who dole out thousands of dollars to candidates running in a wide range of races. The large amounts of circulating cash have raised concerns at the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, which is examining a possible rule change, still being drafted, that would block candidates from transferring campaign funds to other candidates.

Pennsylvania: State Rep. Vanessa Brown Guilty on All Counts; Took $4,000 Bribe in Sting
Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy | Published: 10/31/2018

A jury convicted Pennsylvania Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown of charges she accepted $4,000 in cash from an undercover informant. Brown was the last defendant in an ambitious and controversial sting investigation launched by state prosecutors nearly a decade ago but secretly ended by then-state Attorney General Kathleen Kane. The guilty verdict represented the most dramatic repudiation yet of Kane’s criticism of the sting, which she had contended could not produce winnable cases in court. Under the law, Brown, who is running unopposed in the November 6 election, will also be barred from her House post upon her sentencing.

South Carolina: SC Rep. Harrison Found Guilty in Public Corruption Case, Gets Prison Sentence
Greenville News – John Monk (The State) | Published: 10/27/2018

A jury found former South Carolina Rep. Jim Harrison guilty of perjury and misconduct in office, marking the fifth conviction of a legislator in the past four years and capping off the first trial to come out of the high-profile probe into corruption in the statehouse. Prosecutors accused Harrison of secretly profiting from an influential consulting firm that pleaded guilty to illegal lobbying earlier this year. That firm, Richard Quinn & Associates, has been at the center of the five-year corruption investigation because of its once sprawling network of lawmakers, lobbying interests, and corporate clients. Harrison, the former chairperson of the House Judiciary Committee, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

West Virginia: For a Groundbreaking Candidate in West Virginia, Big Money and Attention Come with Downsides
Washington Post – Greg Jaffe | Published: 11/1/2018

Back when his campaign had raised just $7,000, when just about anyone who knew anything about politics gave him zero chance of winning, West Virginia Sen. Richard Ojeda decided to make a campaign video for his run for Congress. The pivotal moment for Ojeda came near the end of the shoot when he gave out his personal cell phone number. Ten months later, Ojeda was driving past burned-out houses and abandoned storefronts in the coal town where he had spent his childhood and still lived. The polls had him neck and neck with his Republican opponent. It was 21 days until the election and his cellphone was now ringing 100 times a day with calls from all over the United States and the world. At a moment in American politics when authenticity is everything, Ojeda is being hailed as an unpolished, authentic voice.

Wisconsin: Last-Minute Surprises and Secretive Moves Hide Wisconsin Lawmakers’ Actions from Public View
Wisconsin Public Radio – CV Vitolo-Haddad and Dee Hall (Wisconsin Center For Investigative Journalism) | Published: 10/29/2018

Since voters swept Republicans into power in 2010, Wisconsin lawmakers have increasingly used secretive maneuvers to keep the public in the dark about major spending and policy changes. An investigation found the Legislature systematically diminishes the voices of the public by Introducing budget amendments at the end of the approval process with no public notice or debate; approving anonymous, last-minute budget motions containing changes, including major policy items that have nothing to do with state spending; and altering the scope and impact of a bill after its public hearing has been held, which excludes citizens from having influence on legislation before it is enacted. When Democrats controlled the Legislature and governor’s office they played that game, too, notably with their own end-of-the-session wrap-up budget bills of anonymously authored items.

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

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

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

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