See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:
Charges Against Cuellar Lay Bare Azerbaijan’s Influence Attempts (The New York Times)
Beyond the payments Mr. Menendez and Mr. Cuellar are accused of receiving, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Qatar have been heavy spenders on traditional Washington lobbying to maintain the flow of United States aid and to win support in disputes with neighbors. From 2015 to the end of last year, Egypt spent $14.3 million on lobbying and Qatar spent nearly $85.9 million, according to analyses by the nonpartisan website OpenSecrets.
Rich people are spending more than ever to run for Congress. A big test is coming in Maryland (NBC News)
Leaning on personal wealth early in the process can be an important accelerant for a campaign, giving it the ability to ramp up things like staff, messaging and advertising quickly without having to wait to build out a fundraising infrastructure. That’s one reason why self-funding is particularly attractive for nonincumbent candidates: A recent OpenSecrets analysis found that 88% of self-funding in 2023 went to candidates running in open seats or challengers, instead of incumbents.
Who is Timothy Mellon, the ultra-wealthy donor bankrolling both RFK Jr. and Donald Trump? (USA Today)
Brendan Glavin, deputy research director for the money in politics organization OpenSecrets, said it’s one thing for a donor to back one candidate during a primary election and switch to supporting another during the general, but that a donor simultaneously backing two is unusual.
