‘It’s a very dangerous strategy’: The controversial tactic super PACs used to boost Democrats this year
From POLITICO:
Super PACs connected to the Democratic Party spent more than $5.8 million across over two dozen different races to boost third-party conservative candidates, in an “underhanded” bid to pull votes away from Republican candidates. In one case, a group called Save Western Culture launched vicious attacks on Republican candidates, appearing to come from the far right. Those attacks included claiming that a “Mexican-born” US Representative was working against American interests, and calling Senator Ted Cruz a “cucked-king.” In 3 races, the margin of victory was smaller than the share of the vote received by a third-party candidate.
How Much Did Trump, Biden and Harris Raise? A Stunning $4.7 Billion
From The New York Times:
The presidential campaigns for Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris, along with their allied groups, raised nearly $5 billion over the course of the 2024 election cycle, with a total of $4.7 billion raised. Though it didn’t translate into victory, Democrats raised $1.1 billion more than Republicans, at $2.9 billion raised compared to $1.8 billion. This fundraising total does not include money raised by dark money groups, which do not have to disclose their donors.
Elon Musk spends $277 million to back Trump and Republican candidates
From CBS News:
The final campaign finance filings of the year have revealed the full scope of Elon Musk’s support for President-elect Donald Trump. Musk contributed $239 million to his America PAC, the main vehicle for his political activity. America PAC made the news for offering $1 million per day to a Pennsylvania voter who signed its petition, for which it is now being sued by participants who claim the payment was falsely presented as a lottery.
A Texas jeweler, a steakhouse, airfare: New questions swirl around Mayor Adams’ funds
From The Gothamist:
Ahead of the decision by the New York City Campaign Finance Board on whether NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign will receive matching funds, the campaign is facing a number of questions concerning its poor record-keeping and suspicious transactions. The transactions include unreported expenses such as a purchase from a Texas jewelry store and purchases of airfare and hotels. In total, the transactions flagged by the board come to over $166,000.
Want to launder some money? Just use your Mississippi campaign account
From Mississippi Today:
Multiple elected officials in Mississippi have been indicted by federal prosecutors following an FBI sting operation, in which agents posing as developers intending to bribe the officials in return for preferential treatment. According to the indictment, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens allegedly told agents that the best way to bribe public officials was simply to make campaign contributions, as many officials use their campaign accounts for personal expenses. This behavior has been enabled by a system of campaign finance laws described by the head of Mississippi’s ethics agency as a “jigsaw puzzle that doesn’t fit.”
