5 things you need to know from The Bee’s CA campaign finance investigation
From The Sacramento Bee: An investigation by The Sacramento Bee has uncovered how ballot measure committees in California are used by politicians and donors to transfer large amounts of money with little oversight. In many cases, committees are overseen by legislators, who are able to spend most of the money they receive on fundraising, consultants, and personal expenses, rather than actual ballot measure campaigns. In one case, former state Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire spent $40,000 from a ballot measure committee on a trip to the Super Bowl.
Exclusive: Transparency questions about Adams campaign spending
From NBC New York: Expense disclosures from former NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign have raised concerns with a watchdog group in New York. $600,000 worth of expenses reported by the campaign to the city’s Campaign Finance Board were listed as going to LLCs with little identifiable information available. NBC New York was unable to identify websites or CEOs for them. Multiple businesses are registered to the same Wyoming address. Adams’ campaign did not violate any disclosure laws, but the Campaign Finance Board could subpoena the campaign for more records to prove the money was spent for campaign purposes.
AG race heats up with candidates reporting millions in campaign funds
From The Arizona Capitol Times: The race for Attorney General in Arizona is already seeing millions of dollars in fundraising. Republican Rodney Glassman has raised more than $3.3 million, although $1 million of that is from his own contributions to his campaign. Senate President Warren Petersen, also running for the Republican nomination, gave himself a $123,500 loan, and Republican Greg Roeberg gave himself $400,000 of his total $426,000 raised. Incumbent Democrat Kris Mayes has raised more than $3.7 million with no reported self-funding.
A Financier’s Twist on Buying Influence: Bankrolling Ballot Measures
From The New York Times: A Seattle-based hedge fund founder, Brian Heywood, has spent more than $11 million since 2022 backing ballot initiatives in Washington State, in an effort to promote conservative policies in an overall liberal state. The state allows initiatives with enough signatures to be sent to the Legislature or directly to the ballot. Heywood has backed more than 20 initiatives, using paid signature-gatherers after several efforts with volunteers failed. Heywood backed 6 initiatives in 2024, of which three were passed by the legislature and three were rejected by voters.