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October 31, 2019

This week in money-in-politics

GOP heavy hitters, Trump cabinet members revealed as donors to anti-Obama ‘dark money’ group

Former “dark money” giant Americans for Job Security has walked out from the shadows, disclosing its donors last week following years of complaints and lawsuits filed by ethics watchdogs.

Between 2010 and 2012, the group raked in at least $65 million from billionaires, corporations and nebulous groups that don’t disclose their own sources of funding, recent filings show. Many of the group’s top donors have now lined up behind President Donald Trump, cutting big checks to his reelection bid.

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Republican retirement opens up top spot on sought-after House committee

With the impending retirement of Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the top Republican on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the most profitable positions in Congress is up for grabs.

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Education field gives more to Bernie Sanders than other 2020 Democrats

As education reform rises to center stage in Democratic presidential debates, more candidates are putting forward plans to address some of the key issues raised by educators, competing for support from the education industry.

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Retirees, lawyers and investors powering House Democrats in Trump-won districts

For many of the 31 House Democrats declaring victory last November in districts President Donald Trump won in 2016, the path to reelection in 2020 appears treacherous. But they're getting a cash infusion primarily from retirees, lawyers and investors.

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Big Pharma continues to top lobbying spending

The pharmaceutical industry is holding on to its title as the top lobbying force in Washington amid pressure from lawmakers at all ends of the ideological spectrum.

Drugmakers have spent more than $129 million through September, slightly down from nearly $133 million at this time last year, but still far more than any other industry.

The larger pharmaceutical / health products industry, which includes medical devices and dietary supplement companies along with drugmakers, spent $228 million through the third quarter of 2019, a record-breaking pace that is up $10 million from this time last year.

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OpenSecrets in the News

See where we've been cited by media outlets around the nation this week.

Democratic Voters, Donors Give Buttigieg a Fresh Look (The Wall Street Journal)
Shortly after 12 presidential candidates stepped off the debate stage earlier this month, roughly two-dozen influential Democrats at a watch party held an informal survey to see which White House contenders made an impression during the three-hour event.

If You’re A Politician Who Needs A Lot Of Cash, Joint Fundraising Committees Are The Way To Go (Colorado Public Radio)
Joint fundraising committees are the vogue way of raising big bucks these days. According to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, Republican Sen. Cory Gardner is involved in 12 of them. Democratic Rep. Jason Crow has five.

Major Trump donor plans private fundraiser with Romney (CNN)
Stephen Schwarzman, an informal adviser and donor to President Donald Trump, is hosting a fundraiser with Sen. Mitt Romney in support of several Republicans colleagues seeking reelection, according to two people with knowledge of the event.