The NYC mayor fundraised for a New York PAC. Now money is going out of state.
From POLITICO:
Striving for a Better New York is a PAC run by Al Cockfield, a close ally of NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The PAC claims to “actively support and contribute to candidates for New York State offices who give a voice to the issues that impact the lives of everyday New Yorkers.” In contrast to this stated mission, the PAC has made contributions to 11 candidates in non-New York elections, totaling more than $15,000, in the past year and a half. Beneficiaries include a candidate for mayor of Baton Rouge and a candidate for county prosecutor in Kansas City. In 2022, the PAC was investigated for making a $60,000 donation to a charter school run by Cockfield, but the investigation was closed after he refunded the donation.
Crypto takes its fight with SEC directly to Biden and Trump
From CNBC:
As they face increasing scrutiny from regulators, crypto industry executives and lobbyists are attempting to curry influence with both potential Biden and Trump administrations, in hopes of securing a more favorable regulatory environment. At a $300,000-ticket fundraising event for Trump in San Francisco, multiple executives complained to him about the SEC taking action against their crypto exchanges. Crypto investors have been naming their own suggestions for a future SEC Chair under a Trump administration. Meanwhile, several Biden allies are suggesting that the current administration loosen its stance on crypto, in order to avoid alienating potential crypto-backed donors.
Influencer running for U.S. Senate challenges campaign finance rules
From the Washington Post:
Campaign finance regulations clash against the world of making a living off social media. Caroline Gleich, the Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Mitt Romney in Utah, is asking the FEC to update its rules around social media posts to accommodate her job as an online influencer. Gleich earns a living by making sponsored posts on social media. However, under current campaign finance regulations, sponsored posts featuring her within 90 days of the election could be considered a “coordinated communication” and would have to be reported as an in-kind political contribution. Many brands simply don’t want to deal with the additional hassle of reporting their ads as political contributions.
Lawsuit challenges Ohio law banning foreign nationals from donating to ballot campaigns
From the Associated Press:
In early June, the Governor of Ohio, Republican Mike DeWine, signed into law a measure that would prohibit foreign nationals and green card holders from contributing to state ballot campaigns, closing a loophole that was opened by the FEC in 2021. Now, a group represented by Elias Law Group, “a prominent Democratic law firm,” is suing to block the law, claiming that it violates the 1st and 14th Amendments. The law was promoted by Ohio Republicans, after multiple state ballot campaigns were influenced by political committees that received money from groups funded by Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss.
Judge McAfee gets $150 campaign donation from Trump co-defendant in Fani Willis case
From Fox News:
Ray Smith III, a co-defendant in the racketeering case against former President Trump, gave a contribution to the campaign of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in 2023. A lawyer representing another co-defendant, John Eastman, also made a $500 contribution to McAfee’s re-election campaign. Judge McAfee went on to win his re-election primary this past May. The court case against Trump is currently on hold, pending a ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals concerning the prosecutor in the case.
