Lawyer Celebrated as Democracy ‘Hero’ Gutted Campaign Finance Laws
From paving the way for super PACs to helping tech companies dodge disclosure rules, Democratic superlawyer Marc Elias has for years worked to empower Big Money political donors.
Top Stories
DNC Members Outline Party Reforms in Letter To Biden
By David Moore DNC Primary category in which blog post is published
Pelosi Ignored Her Own Caucus on Voting Reform For Years, Allowing States to Restrict Access
By David Moore SLUDGE REPORT Primary category in which blog post is published
Wall Street Ally Next In Line to Lead Committee Overseeing Derivatives
By Donald Shaw Finance Primary category in which blog post is published
Biden’s ‘Nightmare’ Climate Advisor is Connected to Energy Transition Team Members
By Rob Galbraith Energy Primary category in which blog post is published
Dark Money Attacks Judges for Being ‘Soft on Crime’
Scaremongering advertisements in state court races were paid for by shadowy groups whose true funding sources weren’t available to voters.
Campus Reform Group Is Funneling Koch Money To Groom Right-Wing Reporters
Student supported by Campus Reform are often fast-tracked to jobs with conservative lawmakers, think tanks or media outlets.
A Decade Later, Dems Again Say They’re Ready to Do Campaign Finance Reform
We spoke with Rep. John Larson, the House sponsor of previous versions of the Fair Elections Now Act, about the last time Democrats had a chance to pass campaign finance reform in 2009.
Here’s How Much Dark and Gray Money Was Spent on Congressional Races
Use these interactive maps to see how much money dark and gray money groups spent on congressional races in your state.
Record ‘Dark Money’ Donations Help GOP Retake House Seats
A Republican-linked nonprofit was the top donor to House Republicans' super PAC, which spent big in a number of swing races that saw the GOP retake seats lost to Democrats in 2018.
With Deceptive Measure, Missouri GOP Wins Back Power to Gerrymander
Voters approved a measure from state Republicans that reverses redistricting reforms passed on the ballot on 2018 while also making virtually meaningless tweaks to lobbying and campaign finance laws.
Congressman’s First Bill Would Benefit His Own Real Estate Business
A bill introduced by Rep. Chris Jacobs' (R-N.Y.)—his first since joining Congress in July—would shield real estate owners from liability for workplace injuries. Jacobs owns real estate throughout Buffalo worth up to $33 million.
Qualcomm Billionaires Launch Last Minute Attack on Granddaughter’s Progressive Opponent
Sara Jacobs' billionaire grandparents have given $3 million to the super PAC now attacking her opponent, Bernie Sanders-endorsed Georgette Gomez.
Sludge’s First NewsMatch Is On
This NewsMatch drive is the best time to support our non-profit newsroom and help us continue to follow the money, relentlessly.
Wall Street’s Biggest Supporter Could Lose Her House Seat
Ann Wagner, a senior Republican on the House Financial Services Committee, is in danger of losing a seat in suburban St. Louis, despite millions in bank donations.
Tillis Pushed Deregulation That Helps His Top Donor, Blackstone Group, Bilk Small Investors
Besides being Tillis’ top campaign donor, Blackstone’s CEO has given $20 million to a super PAC attacking Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham.
Republican Texas Judges Get Big Money Boost Ahead of Redistricting
Oil and gas billionaires, private equity firms, and GOP megadonors are funding ads that aim to keep the Texas Supreme Court entirely in Republican hands as state voting trends shift from red to purple.
Campaign Against ‘Dark Money’ Disclosure in Alaska Keeps Hiding Its Donors
The donors include the super PAC arm of Charles Koch's main political nonprofit and the Republican State Leadership Committee.
Anti-Abortion Ad Barrett Signed Is Tied To Group Working To Bring Abortion Cases To the Supreme Court
Federal statute instructs judges to disqualify themselves when they have a personal bias concerning a party.
The ‘Dark Money’ Behind a Pro-Gerrymandering Measure in Missouri
The campaign behind a ballot measure to reverse Missouri's voter-approved redistricting reforms did not raise money from a single Missouri resident, instead relying on funding from GOP party groups and nondisclosing conservative nonprofits.
Billionaire Trump Megadonors Behind Group That Promoted Scott Atlas as an Anti-Fauci
It's the same group that promoted hydroxychloroquine to the president in March.
House Dem in Charge of Military Budget Opposes Cuts Favored by Progressives
House Armed Services Committee chair Adam Smith (D-Wash.), a top recipient of PAC money from weapons makers, has called some Democrats "extremists" for wanting to reduce the Defense Department's $740.5 billion budget.
Baltimore County Grassroots Groups Look To Continue a Public Financing Wave
Voters in Baltimore County will soon have their say on a ballot measure that would join several other large Maryland counties, as well as the city of Baltimore, in adopting a voluntary public financing program for elections.
