Democratic Donors Will Gather to Plot Ways Forward Under Trump
From The New York Times:
Following the party’s losses in the 2024 election, major donors from the Democratic Party are already planning to meet to strategize for the 2026 and 2028 elections. American Bridge, a network including a Super PAC and several nonprofits, claims that it raised approximately $150 million last year, and is planning to bring together 150 donors at a luxury hotel in Palm Beach. Leading politicians, campaign officials, and journalists are expected to speak at the event.
House ethics watchdog unfurls campaign finance allegations against two members
From POLITICO:
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has released two reports finding “substantial reason to believe” two members of Congress violated campaign finance regulations. One report found that Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) reported a $320,000 loan to his campaign in 2022, which was later amended to a $20,000 loan. According to Ogles’ personal financial disclosure, he could not have reasonably afforded a loan in excess of $300,000, leading the OCE report to state that he “may have accepted excessive contributions that were reported as personal loans and contributions from the candidate.” Another report found that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) may have made undisclosed contributions to a state PAC, and did not properly report payments to staff and donations to her campaign.
Trump Has Reeled in More Than $200 Million Since Election Day
From the New York Times:
Since winning the election in November, President-elect Trump has raised more than $200 million, funds that will support his inauguration and future presidential library, as well as political operations during his term. Many major companies have pledged donations to his inauguration, including $1 million each from Amazon and Meta. Make America Great Again Inc. (Trump’s super PAC) and allied nonprofits have also raised significant amounts of money, which will allow Trump to financially support his allies and attack his opponents.
Billionaires, dark money dominate record-setting Michigan election spending
From Bridge Michigan:
Michigan saw massive amounts of spending by dark money groups and billionaire donors in the 2024 election. One major source of funding was the billionaire DeVos family – members donated more than $4.4 million in total. The Republican State Leadership Committee spent more than $4 million from an account that did not disclose its donors. On the other side of the aisle, the Michigan Democratic Party spent nearly $13 million from an account with no disclosure requirement.
Kyrsten Sinema Spent Campaign Cash on Stay at French Castle
From The Intercept:
An ethics complaint placed by the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) claims that former Senator Kyrsten Sinema violated campaign finance law by spending more than $100,000 of campaign funds on personal travel in the last few months of her term. Sinema did not seek re-election in 2024, but her campaign had more than $5 million in cash. The complaint alleges that she spent campaign funds on trips around the world, including a stay at a castle in French wine country, which would be illegal if those expenses had no connection to a campaign or her official duties as a Senator. According to CREW, they can find no evidence that these trips had any such connection.
