The hottest Campaign Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Congressman urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court is backed by major law firms

Popular Information • 11203 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law Elections Policy Campaign Finance
  1. Congressman Chip Roy is urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court due to a specific ruling he opposes
  2. Major law firms and corporations are financially supporting Roy's re-election campaign
  3. Other Republican politicians like Oklahoma Governor Stitt and Congressman Higgins have also challenged the authority of the Supreme Court

No Labels makes its choice

Popular Information • 13050 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Campaign Finance Political parties Government regulations
  1. No Labels, a centrist organization, has been supporting Republicans and conservative Democrats for its potential 2024 presidential candidate.
  2. No Labels faced challenges in Arizona when two candidates filed declarations to run in their primary elections.
  3. No Labels has kept its donors secret and could face pressure to disclose them if forced to comply with state laws.

Charles Koch's audacious new $5 billion political scheme

Popular Information • 11419 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Advocacy Campaign Finance
  1. Billionaire Charles Koch exploited a loophole to donate $5 billion for political advocacy without paying gift or capital gains taxes.
  2. Koch's rebranded image as non-partisan is contradicted by his continued extensive financial support for Republican candidates aligned with Trump.
  3. Another billionaire, Barre Seid, used a similar loophole to avoid taxes and donate $1.65 billion to a political advocacy group.

Welcome to the Oligarchy

antoniomelonio • 250 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Power Democracy Oligarchy Campaign Finance Social justice
  1. The U.S. has always been a place where a small number of wealthy people hold most of the power, which is called an oligarchy. This system is getting more obvious as many are unbothered by it.
  2. Voting may feel like we're making a difference, but it's really just a way to make us feel involved while the wealthy keep control. They are the real decision-makers behind the scenes.
  3. Real change can't happen just by waiting for elections; it needs a collective awakening where people demand better from the system. Otherwise, the oligarchs will continue to profit and ignore the real needs of the public.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

EXCLUSIVE: Fani Willis Campaign Funds Appear To Be Money Laundering Scheme

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 4146 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Finance Money Laundering
  1. The Fani Willis campaign funds are suspected to be involved in illegal money laundering called 'smurfing'.
  2. There are concerns raised about individuals unknowingly used to make campaign donations, which is structured as money laundering in politics.
  3. Over $160,000 worth of suspicious donations have been identified in the Fani Willis campaign, all through the illegal 'smurfing' method.

Nikki Haley’s Last Song, Dance, and Supper With the Big Donor Devils

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2751 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Campaign Finance Political Influence
  1. Nikki Haley's political run exposes the ugly reality of Big Donor politics.
  2. Big Donors are trying to take down Trump to further their own financial interests.
  3. Republican politicians like DeSantis, Scott, and Haley are influenced by Big Donor money rather than grassroots support.

Is Elon Our First True Oligarch?

Nonzero Newsletter • 361 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Power Elections Campaign Finance Public Opinion Government Regulation
  1. Elon Musk has a lot of power and influence, particularly in politics and media. His actions can affect major political campaigns and decisions.
  2. Wealth concentration in America is causing political power to be held by a few people, which worsens inequality. This is a widespread issue that goes beyond just one individual.
  3. When a single person, like Musk, can sway political outcomes significantly, it raises concerns about the shift towards oligarchy, where a small group controls much of the power.

The rich are controlling our government

The Novelleist • 608 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Finance Political Influence Wealth Inequality
  1. Wealthy individuals and organizations have a lot of control over politicians through campaign donations. This creates a system where elected officials might favor the interests of their donors over the general public.
  2. Dark money in politics makes it hard to track where campaign funding comes from, which gives even more power to wealthy donors. This lack of transparency can lead to policies that mainly benefit the rich.
  3. To change this system, we can either amend laws to limit corporate donations or create grassroots movements to support independent candidates. Building a political party that truly represents the public, not just the wealthy, is essential for a fairer democracy.

How the nursing home lobby uses it's political prowess to kill would-be regulations and line the industry's pockets

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare policy Lobbying Regulation Campaign Finance
  1. The nursing home lobby uses its influence to protect its profits and avoid regulations. This means that they can get away with poor care for residents.
  2. There is a strong connection between nursing home companies and politicians, with money flowing back and forth. This cozy relationship can lead to decisions that favor the industry over the needs of elderly residents.
  3. Many countries do a better job of caring for seniors than the U.S. does. There's a call for the U.S. to change how we think about and treat older adults, emphasizing their needs and quality of care.

What Happened Was...

SHERO • 491 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Violence Economy Investigation Legislation Campaign Finance
  1. There were seven separate mass shooting incidents in the United States last week, resulting in seven deaths and 22 injuries.
  2. The US economy added 353,000 jobs in January 2024 despite facing the highest interest rates in two decades.
  3. Former President Trump's political fundraising group spent over $50 million on legal expenses last year due to numerous lawsuits and criminal charges.

The top 10 recipients of campaign cash from seven health insurance industry PACs

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 639 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Insurance Industry Campaign Finance Medicare Advantage Political Influence
  1. Health insurance companies are heavily funding politicians, especially those in powerful positions. This gives them influence over healthcare policies, especially Medicare.
  2. A lot of Medicare-eligible people are being pushed towards private insurance plans called Medicare Advantage, which can lead to worse care for patients.
  3. There's a lot of money involved in keeping the status quo for insurance companies, including political campaign contributions and lobbyists working to protect their interests.

Whither the Democrats?

KERFUFFLE • 51 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Policy Analysis Political strategy Campaign Finance
  1. The Republican Party is firmly under Trump's control, with no opposition left inside the party. This makes it hard to predict where the party is headed, as Trump often changes direction.
  2. The Democratic Party lacks a clear leader or owner, making it complicated to assess its future. Many different groups have a stake in the party, but none can steer it effectively.
  3. Some people believe the Democrats have become a liability and might be better off switching to the Republicans, where they see more potential for success.

Putting the fun back in fundraising

City Hall Watcher • 275 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
💼 Business Finance Events Campaign Finance Fundraising Government
  1. City Hall Watcher celebrates its 250th issue with a focus on fundraising events in Toronto's mayoral by-election.
  2. Swanky cocktail parties played a significant role in funding candidates, with some raising millions through ticketed events.
  3. Analyzing campaign finance data shows the impact of fundraising strategies on the mayoral contenders and their success in the election.

It couldn't have gone much better

Worcester Sucks and I Love It • 255 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Analysis Political strategy Campaign Finance
  1. Overall turnout for the election was low at 9.1%, similar to past preliminaries.
  2. The chosen candidates from Worcester Sucks for different districts performed well and are advancing to the general election.
  3. Progressive candidates like Bilotta and Haxhiaj have strong chances in the upcoming elections, potentially leading to a shift in power dynamics within the City Council.

Why Nikki Haley’s Supporters Stood by Her

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 55 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Campaign Finance Republican party
  1. Nikki Haley suspended her campaign for president without endorsing Donald Trump, continuing to use her voice for her beliefs.
  2. Despite the writing being on the wall, many of Haley's donors kept supporting her because they believed she represented the values and ethics a Republican candidate should have.
  3. Haley's supporters, though possibly in the minority, could still sway the November election by either supporting a third-party candidate or voting for Biden.

Letter from Cheyenne: We Make History re Clean Elections

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 2 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Election Integrity Campaign Finance
  1. State Senator Tim Salazar and State Senator Bo Biteman are co-sponsoring the Clean Elections Bill, which is a significant step towards election transparency and integrity.
  2. The visit to Wyoming's statehouse showcased the accessibility and historical importance of these public buildings, emphasizing civic engagement and the need to protect agricultural and food security.
  3. The dedication of leaders like Senator Salazar and Senator Biteman in Cheyenne demonstrates a commitment to upholding constitutional values and serving the public in challenging times.

Trump '23/'24

Wide World of News • 0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Trump Supporters Polls Campaign Finance Indictment
  1. Many Republican figures and donors are showing support for Donald Trump following his indictment.
  2. A poll conducted after Trump's indictment shows him with a significant lead over potential Republican challengers like Ron DeSantis.
  3. Speculation on the impact of Trump's indictment on his political future suggests uncertainty about potential legal repercussions.

On political donations

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 26 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Finance Election Strategy Local Politics Political Impact Political engagement
  1. When donating to political campaigns, small donations help candidates show broad support, while big donors provide most of the funding. So, if you give a small amount, it mainly helps them look good in statistics.
  2. Local and state elections often have a bigger impact on daily life than national ones. Your money can go further in local races, like school board elections, which can be decided by a small number of votes.
  3. Many people focus too much on national politics, forgetting that local issues are often more important for their communities. If you want to make a real difference, consider running for a local position like the school board.