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News Tuesday, Sep 20 2011

The Hill: Hoekstra predicts half million dollars for quarter

The Hill reports on Pete Hoekstra's fundraising problems:

Hoekstra has been known as a weak fundraiser in the past, and a half million dollar haul would help change that image. But it will be hard for him to catch up to Stabenow, who has $4 million in the bank for her reelection.

AB Leadership Health Care Wednesday, Sep 14 2011

Bloomberg: Perry’s Merck Donations Raise Questions About Vaccine Mandate

"Texas Governor Rick Perry ‘s decision to require pre-teen girls to be vaccinated against a virus that causes cervical cancer has ignited debate over whether the presidential hopeful used his office to do favors for political allies. Perry, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, received at least $23,500 in campaign contributions from drug-maker Merck & Co., including $5,000 in 2006, the year before he ordered girls throughout the state to take a new Merck vaccine. The drug-maker also has donated about $500,000 to the Republican Governors Association, a group which Perry headed twice and has been among his most generous campaign donors...
Read more after the jump

Josh Mandel Monday, Sep 12 2011

MEMO: Josh Mandel: Raising Money & Raising Eyebrows

Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel has yet to do much in his campaign against Sen. Sherrod Brown. Well, he’s yet to do much besides raise money. And it seems he can’t even do that without raising eyebrows.

Last month it was revealed that 16 employees of Suarez Corporation, most of very modest means, all donated to the $5,000 to Mandel and/or Rep. Jim Renacci. As the Toledo Blade noted, “many of whom have never before given to federal campaigns.” The paper contacted one of the employees and wrote “When asked whether the company provided money or encouraged her to give, she said she couldn't talk about the matter at work.”

Mandel’s campaign has repeatedly skirted the issue and even recently proclaimed they were “proud” of the donations, despite their suspicious nature. Considering that Mandel is the Ohio State Treasurer, he should have a better idea where his money is coming from.

Read the full memo after the jump.

AB Leadership Wednesday, Aug 31 2011

Bloomberg: Perry’s Texas Friends Find Donations Dovetail With Contracts

"When Texas billionaire Harold Simmons wanted to build a radioactive waste dump, one data point that would loom large in the permitting process wasn’t required on the application: He is a major donor to Governor Rick Perry. [...] Simmons, who has donated more than $1.2 million to Perry’s campaigns, was granted the permit over the objections of some TCEQ staffers concerned the site threatened the Ogallala Aquifer, a water source for much of the plains. [...] The permit process for the site, run by Simmons’s company Waste Control Specialists LLC, a subsidiary of the publicly traded Valhi Inc. (VHI), is one example of how Perry’s donors’ close ties to the governor can influence government grants, appointments and permits. [...] “As Americans look past his swagger, they’ll see he represents more of the same lobbyist-run politics as usual that they despise,” said Rodell Mollineau, president of American Bridge 21st Century, a Washington-based Democratic opposition research group.

Josh Mandel Friday, Aug 19 2011

Toledo Blade: Canton firm's workers making unusual donations

Tony Cook breaks a story about questionable donations to Josh Mandel's campaign.

When northern Ohio businessman Benjamin Suarez makes a big campaign contribution, few people are surprised. He owns a direct marketing company that does $100 million annually in sales, and he has a history of giving to Republicans. But in the current election cycle, a large number of his employees and their wives -- many of whom have never before given to federal campaigns -- have contributed to two specific congressional candidates: Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R., Wadsworth), who represents Ohio's 16th District.

News Friday, Aug 12 2011

Rick Perry's Capital Of Cronyism

In Texas, It Pays To Know Rick Perry

In Rick Perry’s office, the revolving door spins both ways: Perry has recruited several senior staffers from the ranks of Austin’s lobbying community, and at least 17 of his former aides have left for lobbying careers. Being close to Perry has its benefits – Perry had appointed nearly a thousand of his donors to boards and commissions, has supported legislation on their behalf, and directed large business incentive grants to their companies. Even Perry himself has profited, thanks to questionable stock and real estate investments involving close allies.

Detailed research after the jump.

AB Leadership Friday, Aug 5 2011

NBC News: Justice Asked To Probe Mystery Donation To Pro-Romney Group

On August 4, 2011, NBC News reported:

"Two campaign reform groups are asking the Justice Department to investigate a mysterious $1 million contribution to a political committee backing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney from an obscure company that shut down shortly after making the donation. The contribution to Restore Our Future, a so-called “super PAC” formed by three former Romney political aides, drew scrutiny following an NBC News report on Thursday . The firm that gave the money, called W Spann LLC, was formed in March – with no listed officers or directors — made the contribution in April, then dissolved itself in July, according to corporate records."
More from NBC News after the jump

News Scott Brown Friday, Jul 22 2011

Huffington Post: Scott Brown Taps Wall Street For Cash In Advance Of Possible Elizabeth Warren Challenge

On July 21, 2011, the Huffington Post reported:

As Democrats urge Elizabeth Warren, one of Wall Street's most public foes, to seek a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts next year, the financial industry is already throwing its support behind the seat's current occupant, Sen. Scott Brown (R), giving him nearly $315,000 in the most recent fundraising quarter.

News Friday, Jul 22 2011

Miami Herald: Feds investigate Congressman David Rivera on casino contract

On July 21, 2011, the Miami Herald reported:

Federal investigators have opened a second criminal probe of U.S. Rep. David Rivera, examining undisclosed payments from a Miami gambling enterprise to a company tied to the Republican congressman, The Miami Herald has learned.

News Wednesday, Jun 1 2011

Boston Globe: Small-scale donations dwindling for Brown

On may 31, 2011, the Boston Globe reported:

The torrent of small campaign contributions from around the country that flooded GOP Senator Scott Brown’s campaign coffers ahead of his special election last year has all but dried up, as the excitement generated by his campaign has faded and some of his votes have disillusioned rank-and-file conservatives.

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