Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
Roll Call: Want to Run for Congress? Prepare to Ask People for Money 8 Hours a Day
By Nathan L. GonzalesAs a political analyst, it’s easy to criticize candidates for not raising enough money. But it’s also easy to forget how hard it is to raise money. And it’s no wonder that most potential candidates pause before taking the plunge into a congressional race because of the burden of fundraising.
National Journal: Why Nearly Everyone in Congress Has a Leadership PAC These Days
By Shane GoldmacherOf the new senators elected last November, only one, Maine’s Angus King, doesn’t have one yet. Overall, 94 of the 100 current senators have created such PACs, according to a National Journal analysis of federal records. Roughly two-thirds of House members have them, as well.
FEC
Huffington Post: What Happens When You Break Campaign Finance Law? You Get A Refund
By Paul Blumenthal and Aaron BycoffeRaymond Park is the only excessive donor who has received enough in refunds to bring him down to the legal limit. Park received $47,500 in refunds from Romney Victory and $2,500 from the National Republican Congressional Committee, which brought his party and PAC giving to $70,800 and his overall total to $101,800.When Park originally talked to HuffPost, he said he was unaware of the limits and explained that he gave money in response to the torrent of fundraising appeals he received from being a known political donor. “As far as knowing these guys or getting anything from them, I don’t know them,” he added.
State and Local
Alaska –– Alaska Dispatch: You are here Senate candidate Joe Miller writes $94,000 campaign check to cover legal bills
By Jill BurkeLast month, Superior Court Judge Stephanie Joannides ordered Miller to pay 75 percent of Alaska Dispatch’s some $112,000 in legal fees in the case over whether Miller’s employment record with the Fairbanks North Star Borough should have been made public during the 2010 campaign. In late June, Miller deposited campaign funds with the clerk to cover what Joannides ruled he owes Alaska Dispatch, so he doesn’t have to pay while he pursues an appeal. Alaska Dispatch has brought to the court its concerns about the appropriateness of using of campaign funds, instead of personal funds, to pay the bill.
Arizona –– AZ Daily Sun: Suit aims to block hike in campaign contributions
By Howard FischerPHOENIX — Members of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission asked the Arizona Supreme Court Wednesday to void a new state law that sharply raises — and in some cases blows the cap off — how much candidates can collect in campaign donations from individuals and political action committees.
South Carolina –– North Charleston Patch: Ferguson Trying to Return Campaign Contribution
By Jonathan Allen“At first, I was excited. I thought someone wanted to do whatever they could to support the campaign,” he wrote. “Then I remembered that I sent the letter to a group of attorneys who know, or should know the rules regarding campaign contributions. Since I can’t report the name, address, or occupation of the contributor to the ethics commission, I have to give it back. Look what happened to our Governor. I don’t want to pay a large fine because I spent this much needed dollar.”
Virginia –– Washington Post: Investigators looking into whether Va. first lady got free dental work, 2 people say
By Laura Vozzella and Rosalind S. HeldermanFree dental work would expand the number of gifts that the first family has received and add a new name to what has been a short list of benefactors. It also would fit a pattern of items given to Maureen McDonnell — including designer clothing and accessories — that appear to have been aimed at polishing her image as first lady.
