Nike founder Phil Knight recently donated $3 million to the Bring Balance to Salem PAC, a Republican political action committee in Oregon, representing his largest single contribution to Republican causes in the state. This donation, reported by Willamette Week, brings the PAC’s cash on hand to $3.93 million. With an estimated net worth exceeding $31 billion, Knight’s increased financial support for Republicans, including past donations to Republican candidates and campaigns, could significantly influence the state’s legislative balance, particularly as he has expressed frustration with the state’s Democratic leadership in the past.
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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced on social media that he is seeking donations to fund his transition into office. Having raised $1 million, the campaign needs an additional $3 million to cover expenses like vetting resumes and planning policy implementation. Unlike the campaign, transitions do not receive public matching fees, prompting Mamdani to emphasize his reliance on smaller donations, with an average of $77 per donation so far, in contrast to Mayor Eric Adams’ significantly higher average donation amount. Mamdani hopes to use the funds to ensure a smooth transition, allowing his team to start delivering on day one.
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A recent report reveals that numerous donors who financially contributed to President Trump’s White House ballroom have significant business interests pending before the administration. These interests include involvement in multi-billion dollar government contracts and federal investigations into their respective companies. The government watchdog group’s findings highlight potential conflicts of interest arising from these contributions. The report underscores the intersection of political donations and business dealings within the Trump administration.
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Senator John Fetterman’s fundraising in the third quarter of this year was the lowest since he announced his candidacy. His campaign raised under $330,000 and spent nearly $575,000 during this period, marking the third consecutive quarter where spending exceeded income. This dip, which is noteworthy, has led to speculation that his position among his party’s financial supporters might be in question. Other Democratic figures, such as Brendan Boyle, are also out-raising Fetterman, which could lead to challenges in the upcoming years.
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Netflix co-founder drops $2 million into Gavin Newsom’s redistricting campaign, and it’s certainly generating a lot of buzz. This kind of financial backing is a significant development, especially in the political landscape of California, where redistricting efforts can be a real battleground.
The sheer size of the donation, $2 million, immediately grabs attention. It’s a substantial sum, undoubtedly capable of making a difference in a political campaign. However, when considering the individual making the donation – a co-founder of Netflix, a company with a market capitalization in the billions – the perspective shifts a bit. Some might argue that it represents a drop in the bucket for someone of that financial standing.… Continue reading
Elizabeth Simons, daughter of the late billionaire hedge fund investor Jamie Simons, has donated $250,000 to the pro-Zohran Mamdani super PAC, New Yorkers for Lower Costs, making it the largest contribution to the group. The super PAC has already raised nearly $2 million from almost 300 donations. Simons, who is chairwoman of the Heising-Simons Foundation, is contributing to a campaign of a Democratic socialist, Mamdani, who has expressed that he does not believe billionaires should exist. Other super PACs have also been supporting campaigns of mayoral candidates, including Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams.
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New laws have been implemented in South Australia, marking a significant shift in the intersection of money and politics. These changes, spearheaded by Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas, aim to reshape the political environment. Sarah Ferguson of 7.30 is set to interview Mr. Malinauskas regarding these new measures.
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Kristi Noem, while governor of South Dakota, received $80,000 through her personal company, Ashwood Strategies, from a dark money group called American Resolve Policy Fund. This payment, described as a fundraising fee, was not included on her federal disclosure forms, which experts suggest is a possible ethics violation. The nonprofit, which doesn’t disclose its donors, paid Ashwood Strategies for raising funds, a highly unusual arrangement according to experts. Noem’s lawyer stated she complied with the law but didn’t respond to whether the ethics office was aware of the payment. This arrangement may have also run afoul of South Dakota law, according to some experts.
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President Trump declared that Elon Musk will face “serious consequences” if he funds Democratic candidates opposing Republicans who support the GOP’s budget bill, though he declined to specify them. Trump stated that he doesn’t wish to reconcile with Musk following their public feud, which stemmed from Musk’s criticism of the budget bill and subsequent attacks on Trump. Trump dismissed Musk’s past allegations as “old news” and expressed confidence in the bill’s passage, even suggesting that the conflict inadvertently strengthened its support. Despite previous support for Trump, Musk’s actions are now seen by Trump as disrespectful to the presidency.
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Rep. Crockett and former Sen. Tester highlighted the detrimental effects of large political donations, citing Elon Musk’s substantial contribution to President Trump’s campaign and subsequent benefits, including government contracts. They decried the resulting cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP, arguing these actions prioritize the wealthy at the expense of everyday Americans. This connection between campaign financing and legislative outcomes, exacerbated by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, fuels public distrust in politicians. The congresswoman emphasized the need for increased voter engagement and awareness to counteract the influence of wealthy donors and misinformation campaigns.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood