Money in Politics Archives | Page 2 of 28 | American Democracy Minute

Former Congressman George Santos, Who Defrauded Voters and Donors, Has 7 Year Sentence Commuted by President Trump

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

After serving less than 4 months of a 7 year sentence, disgraced New York Congressman George Santos had his sentence commuted by President Donald Trump on October 17th. Santos had pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August 2024.

Wisconsin Voters Face Another Bonkers State Supreme Court Election in April 2026, and More Campaign Spending Records

October 19, 2025October 19, 2025

Wisconsin voters need to brace themselves for another bonkers state supreme election. April 7, 2026 voters will replace Justice Rebecca Bradley, who didn’t seek reelection. Campaign spending for another seat earlier this year reached $115 million dollars, the highest ever for a state supreme court race. Elon Musk’s SuperPAC spent over $21 million in the race.

U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Equal Protection Clause vs. the Voting Rights Act, and Revisits Big Money Campaign Funding Limits for Political Parties

October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

Two U.S. Supreme Court cases this term may allow the conservative majority to strike down Voting Rights Act protections of minority voters, and one of the few remaining limits to big money campaign spending in federal elections.

Bipartisan Bill Introduced Banning Members of Congress from Owning or Trading Individual Stocks and Bonds, but Gives Tax Benefits to Them, Too

September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

A bipartisan bill banning members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks has been introduced in the U.S. House. It appears the reform could pass, due in no small part to a tax break sweetener just for members.

Missouri’s Special Session was Called to Gerrymander Another GOP Seat, But There May Be More Voter Suppression Ahead

September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

We reported recently on the Missouri governor’s call for a special legislative session to gerrymander another GOP Congressional seat. What didn’t make the headlines was the governor’s additional request to make the citizen ballot initiative process harder, and limit the power of the voters to check a hyperpartisan legislature.