Independent groups
Bloomberg: Super-PACs: Little From Corporations
By Mark SilvaA Bloomberg Government study finds that corporate money has largely stayed out of the 2012 election cycle so far, including the Republican presidential nominating process. Corporations contributed only 7.6 percent of the donations to super-PACs between December 2011 and March 2012.
Washington Post: Son of liberal financier George Soros launches anti-super PAC super PAC
By Dan EggenJonathan Soros, son of a prominent liberal financier, is helping to launch an independent advocacy group with hopes of spending up to $8 million targeting House lawmakers, primarily Republicans, who oppose public matching funds for elections and other campaign finance reforms.
Reuters: Super PAC for US Senate Democrats triples fundraising haul
By Alina SelyukhWASHINGTON, July 12 (Reuters) – Majority PAC, a “Super PAC” helping Democrats fight for seats in the U.S. Senate, said Thursday it raised $5.4 million in the first three months of the year, triple its first-quarter haul.
National Journal: New Lesbian Super PAC Says Its First Of Its Kind
By Elahe IzadiLPAC specifically targets lesbians, which organizers say make the organization the first of its kind. According to the group’s website, the group is “dedicated to one goal: giving lesbians a real seat at the table in politics.”
Disclosure
The Hill: Senate Dems offer new version of DISCLOSE Act to fight Citizens United ruling
By Pete KasperowiczSen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and eight other Senate Democrats proposed new legislation on Tuesday that seeks to counteract the 2010 Citizens United case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot limit political spending by corporations, unions or other groups.
The Hill: Dems ramp up campaign finance push
By Mike LillisHouse Democratic leaders this week escalated their calls for more transparency from campaign donors amid a presidential election that’s sure to be the most expensive in the nation’s history.
Politico: Democrats push for campaign finance disclosure, again
By TOMER OVADIADemocrats launched another push for campaign finance transparency on Thursday, aiming to combat the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling as Republicans outraise them on the campaign trail.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Political donors hiding their IDs
EditorialAt the least, lawmakers should require more disclosure, so voters can know which corporations are spending what on candidates.
Candidates and parties
USA Today: 25% of Romney bundlers hail from finance sector
By Fredreka Schouten and Gregory KorteMore than 300 people — or nearly a quarter of the roughly 1,200 individuals USA TODAY has identified as Romney fundraisers — come from the world of finance, more than any other sector. More than a dozen come from the ranks of a single company, investment powerhouse Goldman Sachs, which spent nearly $4.4 million to influence Washington policymakers last year.
National Journal: Dem Senate Candidates Winning Money Race: Does it Matter?
By Sean SullivanSenate Democratic candidates have announced some very impressive second quarter fundraising hauls this week. But the financial strength of Republican-aligned outside groups threatens to level the playing field for under-funded GOP candidates running underwhelming campaigns.
