In its recent ad, The Tea Party Leadership Fund, asks all “true conservatives” to help TPLF successfully defeat the 87 Republican “traitors” who capitulated in the shutdown standoff. A Sunlight analysis of the targeted House members’ campaign funds shows that – unless present trends shift completely – the Tea Party Leadership Fund PAC would be vastly outgunned in a spending battle with the “RINOs” in question.
Continue readingBoth sides of gun debate see hope in Virginia elections
Outside spending groups on either side of the gun control debate find reasons for optimism after Virginia's tight gubernatorial race, in spite of the fact that issues like the economy, healthcare and ethics scandals seem to have been foremost on voters' minds.
Continue readingSeattle TV stations did not disclose ad spending in GMO battle
Washington State's nearly $30 million ad war has come to an end, as voters struck down a referendum that would have mandated labeling of any products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It was the most expensive referendum battle, but the public does not have a clear picture of how, when or on what stations TV ads were purchased, as local stations appear to be relying on a loophole in a regulation to avoid disclosure.
Continue readingOutside groups seek to influence vote on LGBT workplace discrimination
The Senate's Monday cloture vote on the 2013 iteration of the Senate Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is either an important political litmus test for a Republican party in search of a new, more inclusive image or a crucial referendum on American civil liberties -- depending on your viewpoint. The bill would extend federal anti-discrimination protections to workers discriminated against because of their gender or sexual orientation. While observers are skeptical of the legislation's chances in the House, outside groups have spent bucketloads on grassroots and traditional lobbying in support of the law. On the other side? Not so much.
Continue readingTV air wars in VA gov’s race? Not so much
A review of the race's top outside spenders -- compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project -- combined with political advertisements gathered by Sunlight's Political Ad Hawk and data from Influence Explorer, sheds a little more light on the strategies of the outside groups jockeying for Virginians' votes. These figures represent the ad money spent at the major news affiliates in the state's four biggest markets.
Continue readingFederal Election Commission returns to full strength
A full complement of commissioners presided over the Federal Election Commission's open meeting on Thursday, marking the first time the regulatory body was fully staffed since Cynthia Bauerly stepped down in February. Lee E. Goodman, a lawyer with a background in campaign finance, and Ann Ravel, the former head of California's electoral watchdog took their seats on the bench for the first time.
Continue readingBusiness groups back establishment pick over Tea Party candidate in AL special
In the Alabama special election clash between Tea Party and establishment Republican candidates, the US Chamber of Commerce is putting its money where its mouth is. The business group -- and political juggernaut -- made waves when it announced it would support longtime state legislator Bradley Byrne over Tea Party-favorite Dean Young. The financial reports from the Byrne campaign show just how much the financial backing of major special interest groups like the U.S. Chamber can tilt the playing field in one candidate's favor.
Continue readingLatest round of Obama bundlers claim ambassador posts
At a meeting Thursday, tucked between a resolution condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Kenya and a panel on the ongoing civil war in Syria, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on the confirmation of 25 prospective diplomatic appointees, a number of them wealthy supporters of President Barack Obama.
Continue readingRestore America’s Voice raises money–to raise money
Through its nonprofit and political arms Restore America's Voice has successfully raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from small donors with promises of fighting Obamacare. However it is not clear how much -- if any -- of the group's funds are actually spent fighting the controversial healthcare act.
Continue readingLouisiana voters kept in the dark on McAllister campaign cash
While state senator Neil Riser and small-business owner Vance McAllister are both crafting their campaign rhetoric to target LA-05's conservative base, the McAllister campaign's failure to file its financial information with the FEC means voters still have no inkling as to who is bankrolling his election efforts.
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