campaign finance

Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., in a June 2018 file photo. Brat lost his re-election bid to Democrat Abigail Spanberger. Before the election, Brat blamed the Democratic fundraising platform, ActBlue, for allowing Spanberger to raise more money than he was able to.

Politics & Government

Democrats Built A Small-Donor Money Machine. Now, Republicans Want Their Own

7:29am November 23, 2018

by Peter Overby

In 73 of the most competitive House races, Democrats raised more than $62 million from donors who gave $200 or less while Republicans raised barely $27 million.

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Voters in Missouri cast ballots on Election Day 2016. This year, it's one of many states where voters will decide on ballot measures aimed at stricter government ethics rules.

Politics & Government

Voters Could Clamp Down On Ethics, Campaign Finance At The Ballot Box

7:00pm October 30, 2018

by Peter Overby

More than a dozen states have ballot measures aimed at putting stricter rules on candidates and officeholders. One activist says even Watergate didn't ignite such interest in enacting ethics rules.

Former W-S Councilman Co-Founded PAC Tied To Controversial Ads

9:16pm October 21, 2018

by Associated Press and Paul Garber

Controversial political ads running in Missouri and Arkansas are connected to a political action committee associated with a fiery former local politician.

Politics & Government

Board: North Carolina Lawmaker Didn't Disclose $140,000 In Activity

2:28pm October 18, 2018

by Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press

Democratic U.S. House candidate Andrew Janz raised more than $4 million in three months as part of his effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.), part of a wave of record-breaking fundraising hauls by Democratic candidates.

Politics & Government

Democrats Enter Campaign's Final Stretch Flush With Cash

5:00am October 10, 2018

by Peter Overby

One party celebrates its fundraising, while the other starts culling out the weakest candidates.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts had blocked a lower court order that would have required politically active nonprofits to disclose their donors. But on Tuesday the full Supreme Court overturned his stay.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court Orders Disclosure For Dark Money, As New Report Unveils Some Donors

4:21pm September 19, 2018

by Peter Overby

Groups such as the NRA and Chamber of Commerce must disclose who paid for campaign ads they run this fall. A new report says such groups pumped about $600 million into elections between 2010 and 2016.

President Trump held a rally Tuesday night but waited until Wednesday to respond to the legal troubles of two close associates.

Politics & Government

A Day After Cohen Guilty Plea, Trump Contradicts His Former Personal Lawyer

4:49pm August 22, 2018

by Sarah McCammon

President Trump and the White House had stayed mostly silent in the wake of Paul Manafort's conviction and Michael Cohen's guilty plea, but Wednesday he returned to Twitter and taped a TV interview.

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Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. (shown last year), and his wife are alleged to have spent more than $250,000 of campaign donors' money on family expenses like trips, groceries and theater tickets.

Politics & Government

Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter Indicted On Charges Of Misusing Campaign Money

10:26pm August 21, 2018

by Peter Overby

A 48-page indictment detailing how Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and his wife diverted campaign money for family trips and household expenses was released by the Department of Justice on Tuesday.

Politics & Government

Group Pledges $5 Million To Support 'Crime Victims' Rights' Amendment

3:05pm August 21, 2018

by Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press

Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh has written decisions on several important campaign finance cases and would likely move the Court's jurisprudence further towards deregulation.

Politics & Government

On Appeals Court, Kavanaugh Helped To Loosen Political Money Laws

5:00am August 08, 2018

by Peter Overby

Kavanugh's decisions have effectively pulled the campaign finance system rightward, letting in more money with less regulation.