In many states, “right to know” laws haven’t been updated in decades. But that may change soon in Massachusetts, where new legislation promises a transparency upgrade.
Continue readingPrimary post-mortem: Intraparty squabbles still a conservative game
The dust has settled on primary season. What we've learned? The fight for the soul of the GOP is as alive as ever.
Continue readingQuestions remain for Mayday PAC
Mayday PAC reported $3.3 million dollars on hand at the beginning of July. The group's campaign kitty now stands at $7.7 million according to the group's website.
Continue readingWisconsin governor scandal shows states as the new front in fight for dark money disclosure
It's still an open question whether the allegations brought against Scott Walker will end his career, but they could signal the beginning of the end to loopholes that wealthy donors use to keep their names out the public eye.
Continue readingCampaign finance roundup: Competition for Hillary; Newt’s got a hangover; donors like Dem challengers
Hillary Clinton's fans have surprise competition; CNN pundit Newt Gingrich is in massive debt and John Boehner is still king of the Hill. What our real time tracker reeled in from one of the FEC's busiest filing days.
Continue readingMost likely to exceed: Who’s poised to double down post-McCutcheon
In advance of an expected Supreme Court decision on campaign finance limits, the Sunlight Foundation and Center for Responsive Politics look at donors most likely to exceed them.
Continue readingSen. Markey’s IOUs
Long-time Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who will be sworn into the U.S. Senate today, a victory for the left-leaning coalition of bit doors who helped him win a special election last month.
Continue readingTwo Californians duke it out in the Bay State
Thanks to Citizens United, the Massachusetts Senate race is turning into a money slugfest between two deep-pocketed Californians.
Continue readingIn Massachusetts, Gomez touts credentials as political independent — with help from the GOP
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a web video Tuesday backing the party's Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez, a political novice who is facing longtime Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in a special election three weeks from today.
Even though Gomez, a former Navy Seal-turned private equity investor, has tried to distance himself from the national party, the ad disclaimer suggests it is a coordinated communication between the national party and the candidate. The disclaimer says it was was paid for by the NRSC and authorized by the Gomez committee.
The definition of a coordinated ad is one that is "made ...
Continue readingFEC denies same-sex appeal
The question of marriage equality for same-sex couples became a campaign finance issue on Thursday, as Federal Election Commission members addressed the application of a little-known rule that allows someone to contribute to a federal campaign from the checking account of his or her spouse.
That way, a spouse with the lion's share of the income can effectively double his or her contribution without hitting the cap on how much individuals can give to each candidate.
Federal election commissioners at today's regular open meeting denied the request from Massachusetts Senate candidate, Dan Winslow, to treat donations from same-sex ...
Continue reading