Latest Developments:
- California’s November 4th Special Election Those involved will want to review the following from the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission with filing schedules and identification of top donors: November 4, 2025 State Special Election Fact Sheet
- Louisiana Governor Pays Fine to End Probe of Donated Travel The Louisiana Board of Ethics dropped formal charges against Gov. Jeff Landry for failing to disclose flights on a political donor’s private plane when he was attorney general. In return, Landry paid a $900 fine and admitted to 19 instances where he did not report free travel and accommodations – totaling more than $13,000 – as AG and then Governor. He could have faced far more significant penalties. Landry takes deal to drop ethics charges
- State Reform Advocates Seek to Limit Dark Money Reform advocates in Maine and Montana are challenging the Supreme Court’s interpretation of campaign finance laws after Citizens United. Advocates seek to set a blueprint for how states can regulate corporations, unions, and “dark money” groups funding campaigns. In Montana, a ballot measure would amend the state constitution to cap the amount corporations and dark money groups can spend. In Maine, a federal court enjoined a voter-approved measure that set a $5,000 limit on contributions from individuals and entities to Super PACs. States Seeking Dark Money Limits
- Tracking Lobbyists’ Spending in Oklahoma The Oklahoman analyzed lobbyist expense reports, as well as lobbying data compiled by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, from the 2025 legislative session. Where was $460K in lobbying money spent?
Events and Reminders:
- Evann Whitelam of Nielsen Merksamer will moderate From Obscure to Urgent: Why FARA’s Time Has Come (Again), October 15, 2025, at 12 p.m. PDT, an online discussion with three former DOJ FARA Unit enforcement leaders: Jennifer Kennedy Gellie, David Laufman, and Brandon Van Grack. The panel will provide essential future-looking insights into application, trends in enforcement, and the DOJ’s current priorities. Available for CLE credit. Learn more and register online.
- There’s still time to sign up for Corporate Political Activities 2025: Complying with Campaign Finance, Lobbying and Ethics Laws, September 18 and 19 in Washington, D.C., and also available via live webcast. The event features Jason Kaune of Nielsen Merksamer. Hear about “hot topics” in political and election law for the next election cycle and in light of changes under this administration. Sign up here: Corporate Political Activities 2025 – PLI
- The D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability will provide a training session on C. Government Lobbying Registration Requirements and Filing Activity Reports, accessible via Webex on September 24, 2025. Register here: DC Webex Link .
In Case You Missed It:
- Hawaii AG Indicts Former Secretary for False Name Contributions The Hawaii Attorney General’s Office has indicted a former secretary for a prominent engineering firm for allegedly donating $2,000 to Honolulu mayoral candidate Colleen Hanabusa in the names of her sister and niece. The secretary, Terri Ann Otani, was previously acquitted in a federal criminal conspiracy trial. Secretary Indicted for Illegal Political Donations
- Michigan Officials Fail to File Disclosures Board members in charge of Michigan’s billion-dollar economic development strategy failed to file most of their required annual conflict of interest disclosures from 2019 to 2022, according to results of a FOIA request from Bridge Michigan. In 2022, just four of 18 members on the Michigan Economic Development Corp. executive committee signed the documents — and all were filed two months late. Michigan Officials Fail to File
- Puerto Rico Governor Pleads Guilty Former Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation for accepting a promise of a political contribution from a Venezuelan banker in 2020. A federal judge likened it to a “slap on the wrist.” Former Governor Reaches Plea Deal
- Cincinnati Seeks to Align Campaign Reporting Rules A Cincinnati Charter amendment would align city and state reporting deadlines, providing the Cincinnati Elections Commission with much more frequent campaign finance information for local candidates and assisting candidates who find the complex reporting system confusing. Amendment would align campaign finance reporting
- N.J. Election Watchdog OKs Campaign Funds for Security New Jersey’s election watchdog has moved to officially allow candidates to use campaign money to pay for security services and devices, seeking to counter the growing threat of political violence. Campaign Funds Ok for Security