campaign finance

Bernie Sanders waves as he leaves the New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention last month.

Bernie Sanders Raises $26 Million In 3rd Quarter, Nearly As Much As Clinton

9:16am October 01, 2015

by Tamara Keith

From 60 points down and a third of the money, Bernie Sanders is now up in polls and on par in fundraising with Hillary Clinton, who raised $28 million in the third quarter.

Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig lists Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and former Daily Show host Jon Stewart as possible running mates among those from whom visitors to his website can choose.

Politics & Government

Harvard Law Professor Crowdfunds $1 Million, Launches Presidential Bid

6:55pm September 08, 2015

by Brakkton Booker

Lawrence Lessig is running on a singular platform. If elected, he vows to expand voting access, ban gerrymandering and institute campaign finance reform — then resign.

Former Ron Paul campaign campaign Jesse Benton (left) has a word with Paul in 2011.

Former Paul Operative Indicted In Payoff 'Scheme' To Win Iowa Caucuses

6:08pm August 05, 2015

by Peter Overby

Jesse Benton runs the superPAC backing Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul, in his presidential bid. But Paul's campaign pointed fingers at the "Obama Justice Department" for the timing of its release.

Clinton campaign fundraising note sent on June 29.

Clinton Announces $45 Million Fundraising Haul

1:39pm July 01, 2015

by Tamara Keith

Hillary Clinton's campaign says it raised more than $45 million in its opening quarter. She's the first major candidate to announce fundraising numbers.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush poses with supporters for photos during a fundraiser in May.

Billionaire Or Bust: Who Are Rich Backers Lining Up With?

5:11pm June 15, 2015

by Peter Overby

Since the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, money in politics has exploded. To make it in the 2016 presidential race, candidates need their own billionaire. Here's who's lining up with whom.

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Republican political operative Tyler Harber admitted in federal court to illegally coordinating between a campaign and superPAC. He was sentenced to two years in prison and two years' probation.

Crossing The Line: Political Operative Gets 2 Years In Prison

11:05pm June 12, 2015

by Peter Overby

For the first time ever, a political operative got prison time for illegally coordinating between a superPAC and a campaign. It could have implications for the 2016 presidential race.

A quick staff-up and a fast-paced money grab are common to both startups and campaigns. Here, staffers work at computers during a tour of President Obama's re-election headquarters in Chicago on May 12, 2010.

Why Political Campaigns Are Raising Money Faster Than Tech Startups

8:01pm June 05, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

Snapchat and Facebook's early fundraising efforts have nothing on presidential campaigns, a new report finds.

Significant majorities of people say money in politics is a problem, but it doesn't register among their top concerns.

Americans Think Money In Politics Is A Problem, But Just How Big?

11:34am June 03, 2015

by Peter Overby

A new poll shows Americans think the rich have too much influence and that the political money system needs an overhaul, but they rate it low on the priority list.

David Barrows, of Washington, D.C., waves a flag with corporate logos and fake money during a rally against money in politics outside the Supreme Court in 2013.

Court: Corporations May Be People, But 'Judges Are Not Politicians'

9:11pm April 29, 2015

by Peter Overby

The Supreme Court has increased campaign spending limits, but not when it comes to judges. It found an "unavoidable appearance that judges who personally ask for money may diminish their integrity."

"Who, me? Run?" Would-be presidential candidates are ditching "testing the waters" and "exploratory committees" to hold onto unlimited and undisclosed cash for longer.

Money Rules: Candidates Go Around The Law, As Cash Records To Be Smashed

9:32am April 20, 2015

by Peter Overby

More money is expected to be raised and spent in 2016 than in any election in U.S. history. But, as candidates ditch old ways of campaigning, more of it is expected to be undisclosed and untraceable.

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