OpenSecrets.org Newsletter: Final figures for 2014 and more ...

Your weekly newsletter on money in politics.

Final Tally: 2014’s Midterm Was Most Expensive, With Fewer Donors The final figures are in: The 2014 election was the most expensive midterm election in history, costing a grand total of $3.77 billion. But for the first time since 1990, fewer Americans donated money in this midterm election than the one before. Simply put, more money went into the system, but fewer people provided it. On Nov. 5, the Center for Responsive Politics projected the 2014 election would be the most expensive midterm ever based on how much was spent through early October. A new analysis taking into account year-end filings confirms that projection — and finds our estimate was low by roughly $104 million. Among the most significant findings that can now be confirmed is that there were far fewer identifiable donors in the 2014 election than in the 2010 cycle. To read the full report, click here. Share Tweet Forward to Friend

DOJ Announces First Prosecution for Illegal Coordination Between Candidate and Super PAC The U.S. Department of Justice announced this afternoon its first criminal prosecution for violation of campaign finance laws prohibiting coordination between candidates and outside groups working on their behalf. Tyler Harber, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of coordinated federal election contributions, and one count of making false statements to the FBI. According to federal court documents, Harber masterminded a complex scheme to ... read more. Internet Taxation Bill Brings Lots of Love from Telecoms Congress is once again considering whether (and how) to tax the ability of Americans to make late-night Amazon purchases in their underwear, and the companies most interested in the outcome have been generous to the lawmakers leading the charge. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) this week reintroduced the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act. The bill, which has the support of 39 other senators, would make permanent Internet tax regulations that have been ... read more. Schock Campaign’s Travel, Catering Bills Rival Those of Party Leaders Rep. Aaron Schock has had a bad few weeks. He’s been mocked for redecorating his congressional office in the style of Downton Abbey, accused of selling his house to a campaign donor for an inflated price and savaged for his extravagant spending of taxpayer and campaign donors’ money; that doesn’t even include losing a key staff member due to the staffer’s alleged racist remarks. A closer look at Schock’s ... read more.