Experts React to Michael Cohen's 'Stunning' Guilty Plea on Campaign Finance Violations
Legal experts weigh in on what these revelations might mean for Trump.
Campaign Finance
Where Did All the Money Come From in the Alabama Senate Race?
Super PACs dedicated to the country's top national politicians are spending the most in the Alabama special election.
Flush With Timber Money, Congressman Works to Loosen Forest Protections
Representative Bruce Westerman has received more than $100,000 in timber industry campaign donations. Now, he is pushing a bill that relaxes environmental regulations on the same industry.
Where Did All the Money Come From in the Georgia House Race?
Democrat Jon Ossoff raised a lot from small, individual donations, while dark money groups gave about one-fifth of all the money in the race.
America's Most Pro-Clinton and -Sanders Zip Codes
Data shows Hillary Clinton supporters boast a significantly higher average income than Sanders supporters.
The Playbook for Keeping 'Dark Money' Dark
In internal memos, groups opposing tighter state campaign finance rules coach their local supporters on how to battle disclosure of political donors.
The Problem With Political Lobbying Laws
Research shows voters trust political messages that appear to come from relatively unknown groups, a tactic at least one powerful interest group has used to its advantage.
The Influence of a Few: There's Been a Rapid Rise in the Number of Super PACs Controlled by Single Donors
Super PACS that get nearly all of their money from one donor quadrupled their share of overall fundraising in 2014.
Libertarians Are Raking in Small Donors
For candidates like Ted Cruz, it's no longer about the single cash cow donor.
How Political Consultants Took a Texas Oilman on a Wild Ride
The head of a Texas oil dynasty joined the parade of wealthy political donors, aiming to flip the Senate to Republicans. By the time consultants were done with him, the war chest was drained and fraud allegations were flying.
The Koch Brothers' Influence Will Go Way Beyond the 2016 Campaign
The Koch brothers are reportedly raising nearly $900 million for the 2016 presidential election. Recent research suggests this money could impact politics at every level.
Parties Are Networks, and You Want Them on Your Side
Even a very loose network of candidates, activists, donors, and interest groups can exert a powerful influence over elections.
Don't Fear the Zombie Candidates: The Not-So-Promising Rise of Paul
Money, even lots of it, isn't enough to win a presidential nomination if party insiders want someone else.
The 30 Top Thinkers Under 30: David Broockman, 25, Political Science
For the month of April we're profiling the individuals who made our inaugural list of the 30 top thinkers under 30, the young men and women we predict will have a serious impact on the social, political, and economic issues we cover every day here at Pacific Standard.
What If We Just Got Rid of All the Money in Political Campaigns?
Three states have already put in place alternatives to standard fundraising practices, but what they've found might surprise you.
What to Do About Campaign Finance
Unlimited political contributions are the new reality. Once we accept that maybe we can start to figure out the complicated relationship between money and politics.
The Continuing Erosion of Campaign Contribution Limits
The Supreme Court appears poised to overturn existing restrictions on campaign finance after hearing arguments in McCutcheon v. FEC this Tuesday. The question will likely be how deeply the justices will cut.
How Our Political Parties Beat Campaign Finance Reform
Did the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 have any of its intended effects?
Just How Much of a Problem Is Campaign Money?
Wait a minute. Last year was supposed to be the one in which big donors bought the election—but that didn't happen. So why are we still getting worked up over the Citizens United decision?