Wolves of K Street: A Conversation with Brody and Luke Mullins
Those who pay attention to Washington politics know K Street as the domain of federal lobbyists and influence peddlers seeking to advance the priorities of their clients and even entire movements.
But how did this industry transform from a barely relevant entity to the powerhouse we know today?
CLC Speaks Out Against Efforts to Spread Disinformation Ahead of Trump-Johnson Press Conference
WASHINGTON – Today, former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are expected to hold a joint press conference on “election integrity” at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla.
Trevor Potter, president of Campaign Legal Center, released the following statement ahead of the expected press conference:
“It’s unfortunate that self-interested politicians, including the former president and current House speaker, continue to spread disinformation about how the election process works, all under the guise of ‘election integrity.’ Of course, the security of our elections is already the central focus of U.S. election officials. It is a disservice to our democracy when leaders who should know better choose to peddle falsehoods about voting for personal and political gain. Their efforts seek to destroy the integrity of our elections, not uphold it.
“Campaign Legal Center has been at the forefront of the movement to combat efforts to sabotage our elections, working with state and federal lawmakers to protect the freedom to vote and ensure all votes are counted. With yet another contentious election year well underway, voters should rest assured that significant steps have been made toward guaranteeing the safety and security of the election process.”
Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United file FEC Complaint Regarding Potential Soft Money Violation by Sen. Cruz and iHeart Media
Washington, DC: Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Sen. Ted Cruz violated provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act that prohibit federal candidates or officeholders from soliciting or directing “soft money” in connection with a federal election.
Specifically, the complaint alleges that Cruz violated FECA by entering into an agreement with iHeartMedia, Inc., a publicly traded corporation, through which iHeartMedia transferred corporate funds—totaling over $630,000 to date—from its ad sales associated with Cruz’s podcast “Verdict with Ted Cruz” to a federal super PAC, Truth and Courage PAC, supporting Cruz’s 2024 reelection efforts.
Erin Chlopak, Campaign Legal Center’s Senior Director of Campaign Finance, issued the following statement: There is a reason why federal candidates are legally prohibited from using ‘soft money’ - that is, money raised outside the scope of federal election law - to power their campaigns. This type of funding risks putting the priorities of wealthy special interests above everyone else and makes our political process more vulnerable to corruption. Yet all available information makes it seem that a partnership between Texas Senator Ted Cruz and iHeartMedia has produced such an illegal transfer, with over $630,000 in ‘income’ from Cruz’s podcast moving to a super PAC supporting his reelection. To give Texas voters clarity, the Federal Election Commission must swiftly investigate this matter and determine whether Sen. Cruz played a role in directing this transfer.
(See the complaint here)
Removing Financial Barriers to Running for Office
Across partisan lines and other divides, American voters overwhelmingly believe the cost of political campaigns makes it hard for candidates who represent their values and life experiences to run for office. Looking at our elected officials — most of whom are independently wealthy — it's hard to disagree. In fact, the number of candidates self-funding their campaigns is on the rise.