Politics, Parties, Candidates
Here's a look at documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties
Featured Stories
Whatley's Windfalls: Michael Whatley Keeps Pushing for Policies That Enrich Himself & Hurt North Carolinians
RALEIGH, North Carolina, April 21 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
* * *
Whatley's Windfalls: Michael Whatley Keeps Pushing for Policies That Enrich Himself & Hurt North Carolinians
*
DC insider and Big Oil Lobbyist Michael Whatley has repeatedly been exposed for pushing policies that send his personal stocks soaring while hurting North Carolina families:
1\. Whatley actively pushed for a bill that gave "a windfall to pharmaceutical companies," benefiting his up to half million-plus dollars invested in pharmaceutical companies while raising drug prices and
... Show Full Article
RALEIGH, North Carolina, April 21 -- The North Carolina Democratic Party posted the following news:
* * *
Whatley's Windfalls: Michael Whatley Keeps Pushing for Policies That Enrich Himself & Hurt North Carolinians
*
DC insider and Big Oil Lobbyist Michael Whatley has repeatedly been exposed for pushing policies that send his personal stocks soaring while hurting North Carolina families:
1\. Whatley actively pushed for a bill that gave "a windfall to pharmaceutical companies," benefiting his up to half million-plus dollars invested in pharmaceutical companies while raising drug prices andout-of-pocket costs for seniors.
Charlotte Observer: "Whatley helped get the bill across the finish line, and he encouraged North Carolina leaders to support it. But he also may have financially benefitted from its passage."
2\. A "longtime oil lobbyist," Whatley dismissed the sacrifice of service members in Iran as the war spiked his oil and gas investments "by up to $219,660."
Fayetteville Observer: "U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley supports Trump's Iran War. The supply disruption drives up profits for Whatley's oil stock holdings and raises conflict-of-interest questions."
3\. Whatley also cheered on Trump's actions in Venezuela as he reaped up to "$63,000" in a single weekend from his investments in Big Oil companies.
POLITICO: "North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley has praised the Trump administration for its ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, calling it 'a very important step.' [...] What Whatley didn't mention is that he and his family have up to a million plus dollars invested in three major oil companies that saw spikes in their shares..."
***
Original text here: https://www.ncdp.org/media/whatleys-windfalls-michael-whatley-keeps-pushing-for-policies-that-enrich-himself-hurt-north-carolinians/
Republicans Hold Another Desperation Session as They Attempt to Prevent Devastating Midterm Losses
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Republicans Hold Another Desperation Session as They Attempt to Prevent Devastating Midterm Losses
*
In full blown panic-mode, the White House braintrust of Susie Wiles and James Blair summoned " dozens of Republican political consultants" for the second time in as many months to find a new way to sell their failed economic agenda to the public as every poll shows them facing a massive midterm defeat in November.
In keeping with their 'let them eat cake' economic strategy, the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Republicans Hold Another Desperation Session as They Attempt to Prevent Devastating Midterm Losses
*
In full blown panic-mode, the White House braintrust of Susie Wiles and James Blair summoned " dozens of Republican political consultants" for the second time in as many months to find a new way to sell their failed economic agenda to the public as every poll shows them facing a massive midterm defeat in November.
In keeping with their 'let them eat cake' economic strategy, thedesperation session was held at the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. -and we have questions:
Did they discuss skyrocketing gas prices over The Bazaar's exquisite Whole Suckling Pig? ($620.00)
Did they talk about rising health care costs while sipping on a fine glass of 2015 Dom Perignon? ($85.00/glass)
Or perhaps Blair was keen to celebrate his botched redistricting scheme by splitting the meal up into smaller portions. Can I interest you in the Ultimate Tasting Menu? ($225.00)
DCCC Spokesperson Liam Buckley :
"If you need swanky strategy sessions to find a midterm message, you're the problem, not the solution."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/republicans-hold-another-desperation-session-as-they-attempt-to-prevent-devastating-midterm-losses/
NEW: Marty O'Donnell Calls For Eliminating Protections for Nevadans With Pre-existing Medical Conditions
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
NEW: Marty O'Donnell Calls For Eliminating Protections for Nevadans With Pre-existing Medical Conditions
*
O'Donnell says protections for patients with cancer, diabetes, other pre-existing conditions "should be dead and gone"
Extremist Marty O'Donnell can't go a day without proving just how out of touch he is with Nevada families.
While Nevadans are struggling with higher costs at the grocery store, gas pump, and doctor's office, O'Donnell says he wants to repeal landmark legislation
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
NEW: Marty O'Donnell Calls For Eliminating Protections for Nevadans With Pre-existing Medical Conditions
*
O'Donnell says protections for patients with cancer, diabetes, other pre-existing conditions "should be dead and gone"
Extremist Marty O'Donnell can't go a day without proving just how out of touch he is with Nevada families.
While Nevadans are struggling with higher costs at the grocery store, gas pump, and doctor's office, O'Donnell says he wants to repeal landmark legislationthat prevents insurance companies from denying care to Nevadans with pre-existing medical conditions - including cancer, diabetes, and asthma. An estimated 1 in 4 Nevadans under age 65 live with a pre-existing condition.
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly :
"Marty O'Donnell admitted he wants to rip away people's health care and give more tax cuts to billionaires. While bipartisan problem solver Susie Lee fights to lower costs, O'Donnell is championing dangerous ideas that could kick nearly 500,000 Nevadans off their health care and spike costs for everyone. O'Donnell has no business representing Nevadans in Congress."
Read O'Donnell's words for yourself...
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/new-marty-odonnell-calls-for-eliminating-protections-for-nevadans-with-pre-existing-medical-conditions/
MDP Endorses Candidates for Key Statewide Offices
LANSING, Michigan, April 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on April 20, 2026:
* * *
MDP Endorses Candidates for Key Statewide Offices
DETROIT -- Yesterday, the Michigan Democratic Party endorsed several candidates for key statewide positions, as more than 7,200 members showed up at the 2026 Endorsement Convention--the party's largest convention in history.
After the convention, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"Yesterday's record-breaking turnout was more proof that enthusiasm is on our side and that Democrats
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, April 21 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on April 20, 2026:
* * *
MDP Endorses Candidates for Key Statewide Offices
DETROIT -- Yesterday, the Michigan Democratic Party endorsed several candidates for key statewide positions, as more than 7,200 members showed up at the 2026 Endorsement Convention--the party's largest convention in history.
After the convention, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
"Yesterday's record-breaking turnout was more proof that enthusiasm is on our side and that Democratsare energized heading into November. I'd like to thank Michigan Democrats from every corner of the state who showed up and made their voices heard.
"Congratulations to each of the endorsed candidates on their victories. As we now come together as one party, I look forward to working with each of the endorsed candidates as we fight to lower costs for working families and stand up against the Trump administration.
"I'd also like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to every candidate who ran for office. Michigan Democrats are truly proud to have such a deep bench of leaders to choose from, and we're grateful to each candidate for their service to our party."
"Looking ahead, Michigan Democrats are fired up and ready to win up and down the ballot this November."
The Michigan Democratic Party endorsed the following candidates:
* Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State
* Eli Savit for Attorney General
* Megan Cavanagh and Noah Hood for Supreme Court
* Judith Pritchett and Tiffany Tilley for State Board of Education
* Kelly Tebay Zemke and Brianna Scott for Michigan State University Board of Trustees
* Shereef Akeel and Richard Mack for Wayne State University Board of Governors
* Paul Brown and Amir Makled for University of Michigan Board of Regents
* * *
Original text here: https://michigandems.com/mdp-endorses-candidates-for-key-statewide-offices/
ICYMI: Republicans Plan Big Spending to Keep Ohio's Senate Seat - Bribery Scandal Adds to Their Challenges [Associated Press]
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release on April 20, 2026:
* * *
Apr 20, 2026
ICYMI: Republicans Plan Big Spending to Keep Ohio's Senate Seat. A Bribery Scandal Adds to Their Challenges [Associated Press]
Associated Press: "Husted was recently called to testify as a defense witness in the related criminal trial of two former energy executives, testimony he might have to reprise after a hung jury led to a mistrial in the case in March"
*
In case you missed it, new bombshell reporting from the Associated Press is highlighting how
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release on April 20, 2026:
* * *
Apr 20, 2026
ICYMI: Republicans Plan Big Spending to Keep Ohio's Senate Seat. A Bribery Scandal Adds to Their Challenges [Associated Press]
Associated Press: "Husted was recently called to testify as a defense witness in the related criminal trial of two former energy executives, testimony he might have to reprise after a hung jury led to a mistrial in the case in March"
*
In case you missed it, new bombshell reporting from the Associated Press is highlighting howJon Husted has been at the center of "a $60 million bribery scandal that has roiled [Ohio] politics for more than five years." Husted, who was called to testify as a defense witness in the criminal trial of two indicted former FirstEnergy executives, could be "back on the witness stand a week before early voting begins for the November elections" as the case heads to a retrial.
Husted was mentioned nearly 400 times as his key role in the FirstEnergy corruption scheme came into focus during the trial, which revealed phone calls, text messages, and secret meetings between Husted and the indicted FirstEnergy executives. Now, Ohioans are paying $663 a year more in utility costs to pay for the bailout negotiated by Husted.
See for yourself:
Associated Press: Republicans plan big spending to keep Ohio's Senate seat. A bribery scandal adds to their challenges
* As he seeks to retain his U.S. Senate seat this fall, Ohio Republican Jon Husted has been unable to escape the shadow of a $60 million bribery scandal that has roiled state politics for more than five years.
* Husted was recently called to testify as a defense witness in the related criminal trial of two former energy executives, testimony he might have to reprise after a hung jury led to a mistrial in the case in March. A judge in Akron scheduled the retrial to begin Sept. 28, meaning Husted could be back on the witness stand a week before early voting begins for the November elections.
* [...] the vast public record that has emerged from the scandal has raised questions about Husted's dealings with key players who have been indicted or imprisoned in the scheme, which revolved around legislative approval of a $1 billion bailout for the state's two nuclear power plants.
* In a potential sign of concern, Senate Republicans' main super political action committee, the Senate Leadership Fund, recently announced plans to spend $79 million on Husted's behalf. That's roughly one-quarter of its planned national spending in eight tightly contested Senate races.
* Husted calendars that came to light during the recent trial involving executives for the utility, Akron-based FirstEnergy, showed a number of additional meetings or phone calls that he had with former CEO Chuck Jones, with the state's former top utility regulator, who has since died, and with then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. They formed the triangle of influence at the heart of scheme as laid out by federal prosecutors. Husted's calendars were obtained by the Ohio Capital Journal through a public records request and have been reviewed by The Associated Press.
* Jones and former FirstEnergy lobbyist Michael Dowling were charged for their alleged roles in the bribery scandal and will be retried in the fall. Householder is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2023 of orchestrating the scheme, which FirstEnergy has admitted to underwriting.
* The interactions noted in Husted's calendars were around the time the bailout bill was being developed and passed. Evidence presented in various cases showed Jones and Dowling discussing a push by Husted for additional subsidies in the legislation.
* In June 2019, Jones texted Dowling screenshots of a conversation he had with Householder that suggested Husted was working on FirstEnergy's behalf to extend the term of the nuclear plant subsidies from six years to 10 years.
* Jones urged Householder to "negotiate hard" for 10 years of subsidies or he would be forced to revisit the issue again before his speakership ended. "Ugh, that adds $600M," Householder wrote about an additional amount that has not been previously reported. The bill called for charging Ohio ratepayers $150 million a year in nuclear subsidies.
* "Husted called me 2 nights ago and was supposed to get it in the Senate version," Jones replied.
* A longtime Ohio lobbyist told federal agents that FirstEnergy and FirstEnergy Solutions, the subsidiary that owned the nuclear power plants helped by the bailout, funneled dark money to nonprofits that benefited Husted and Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican.
* According to the notes from his Department of Justice interview obtained by The Associated Press and not previously reported, lobbyist Neil Clark identified one of the groups as Freedom Frontier. That was the very group that received a $1 million contribution in 2017 marked internally by FirstEnergy as "Husted campaign." The donation was brought to light through documents filed in a lawsuit by FirstEnergy shareholders and obtained through a records request by cleveland.com. Husted was a candidate for governor at the time.
* Dark money refers to political contributions flowing to certain nonprofit organizations whose donors do not have to be publicly identified. Coordinating between those groups and candidate campaigns is generally prohibited by federal law.
* Internal FirstEnergy communications from 2017 and 2018, which is evidence in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, include discussions involving Jones, Dowling and others about attending Husted events as far back as 2016. They also reflect Dowling's concerns about dark money contributions becoming public.
* Jones and Dowling also discussed strategies to contribute under alternate names. In July 2018, for instance, as the two were planning a DeWine-Husted fundraiser in Naples, Florida, they discussed contributing under one name while covering event costs under another -- so there would be "no cost billed to (the) campaign."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.dscc.org/article/icymi-republicans-plan-big-spending-to-keep-ohios-senate-seat-a-bribery-scandal-adds-to-their-challenges-associated-press/
Derek Tran Calls Out Republicans' Reckless, Cost-Spiking War of Choice
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Derek Tran Calls Out Republicans' Reckless, Cost-Spiking War of Choice
*
Tran is fighting to bring down costs and keep American families safe
This week, Congressman Derek Tran joined CNN and MSNOW to call out Republicans' reckless war of choice that is spiking gas prices and crushing hardworking families from coast to coast, leading the fight against this issue costing American families $1 billion a day.
As a U.S. Army veteran and leader of the House Democrats' national security
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
Derek Tran Calls Out Republicans' Reckless, Cost-Spiking War of Choice
*
Tran is fighting to bring down costs and keep American families safe
This week, Congressman Derek Tran joined CNN and MSNOW to call out Republicans' reckless war of choice that is spiking gas prices and crushing hardworking families from coast to coast, leading the fight against this issue costing American families $1 billion a day.
As a U.S. Army veteran and leader of the House Democrats' national securitytask force, Tran understands the national security implications, domestic costs of war, and the sacrifice servicemembers make to keep our country safe - and he will continue to hold Republicans accountable for giving the president unchecked power on this costly and unnecessary war.
WATCH TRAN'S MSNOW INTERVIEW HERE
REP. TRAN: " I'm all for making sure we vote every single week on a War Powers Resolution to hold all of my colleagues to a vote publicly, condemning the actions of this president." REP. TRAN: "I think there is room for commonsense... this war is not good for the United States of America and for our economy. [If] that's what it's going to take for [my Republican colleagues] to come to the table...that's what we should do."
REP. TRAN: "I'm all for diplomatic solutions... I don't think reckless, haphazard strategy is a strategy at all, and that's what we're seeing from this administration....Instead of investing in a true diplomatic remedy to what's happening... [Trump] is just destroying everything... it's gonna take Congress to get involved."
REP. TRAN: "I am hearing from our allies... and we're talking about the global implications of what this war is doing to oil prices, aluminum prices, fertilizer prices across the globe."
REP. TRAN: "I do believe that there's a solution... that has to be done diplomatically. To put more of our troops in harm's way, that is where I and so many of my armed services colleagues will continue to focus."
WATCH TRAN'S CNN INTERVIEW HERE
REP. TRAN: "I hear about 'the war is gonna end' from the news, but I have not seen any action where there is an off-ramp to what's going on right now."
REP. TRAN: "You have a president that has put out there, publicly, that the deal is not gonna happen, that it's gonna fail. How do they [his team] diplomatically find a resolution... when our own leader - the President of the United States - does not believe in a deal?"
REP. TRAN: " The American people are so focused on costs and affordability and that's something this administration has not been focused on. That is all going to impact the Republicans in the midterms."
DCCC Spokesperson Anna Elsasser :
"As a veteran, Derek Tran knows firsthand what it means to put country over self, and that is why he will stay laser-focused on bringing down costs, protecting our troops, and pushing back against Republicans' reckless war of choice that is only making life more expensive - and less safe - for American families."
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/derek-tran-calls-out-republicans-reckless-cost-spiking-war-of-choice/
CAUGHT LYING: Eric Conroy's "Humble Origins" Story Falls Apart as Financial Disclosures Expose Up To Nearly $1 Million in Personal Assets
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
CAUGHT LYING: Eric Conroy's "Humble Origins" Story Falls Apart as Financial Disclosures Expose Up To Nearly $1 Million in Personal Assets
*
Tiffin Ohio : "Conroy says he doesn't have much money. Federal filings show personal assets up to $966,000 and $287,500 in self-loans."
It didn't take long for Eric Conroy to get caught lying to Southwest Ohio.
New reporting from Tiffin Ohio blows a hole in the humble-origins story Conroy has been telling voters. Despite insisting he "wasn't
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee posted the following news release:
* * *
CAUGHT LYING: Eric Conroy's "Humble Origins" Story Falls Apart as Financial Disclosures Expose Up To Nearly $1 Million in Personal Assets
*
Tiffin Ohio : "Conroy says he doesn't have much money. Federal filings show personal assets up to $966,000 and $287,500 in self-loans."
It didn't take long for Eric Conroy to get caught lying to Southwest Ohio.
New reporting from Tiffin Ohio blows a hole in the humble-origins story Conroy has been telling voters. Despite insisting he "wasn'tborn into privilege or connections" and doesn't "have a lot of money," his own federal financial disclosures reveal a portfolio valued as high as $966,000.
Tiffin Ohio's verdict is blunt: "The financial filings describe a wealthy candidate." Between Conroy's lengthy private school education, over $280,000 in zero-interest loans he made to his own campaign, and a super PAC partially bankrolled by a $90,000 check from his own father, the humble backstory doesn't hold up.
REMINDER: Conroy's political ploy is the everyday reality for hardworking Ohioans. Thanks to Trump and House Republicans' reckless economic agenda, Ohioans are now paying $1,500 more on average for everyday goods from groceries to gas.
DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi :
"Eric Conroy's campaign is built on lies. He's playing dress-up as an everyday Ohioan while sitting on up to nearly a million dollars and a dark money operation funded by his own father. No wonder Washington Republicans are so eager to elect him -he'll be a rubber stamp for more tax cuts for billionaires while Ohio families get crushed by rising costs. Southwest Ohio deserves an honest leader, not another wealthy phony who will sell them out the moment he gets to DC."
Read more:
Tiffin Ohio: Eric Conroy, Trump's pick for Congress in OH-1, claims modest means. Records show up to $966K.
* Eric Conroy, the Trump-endorsed Republican running to flip Ohio's 1st Congressional District in November, told a Cincinnati radio audience in February that he has "been a government employee for most of my life" and doesn't "have a lot of money." His federal financial disclosures tell a different story.
* Conroy's personal financial disclosure, filed with the U.S. House Clerk in August, lists total assets valued between $361,008 and $966,000 -a portfolio built almost entirely on cryptocurrency. He has also loaned his own congressional campaign $287,500 of personal money since late September, Federal Election Commission records show.
* Conroy's campaign has also leaned on claims of humble origins that his resume does not support. In responses to an Ohio Capital Journal questionnaire earlier this year, Conroy told voters, "I wasn't born into privilege or connections." His own campaign biography lists Elder High School -a private Catholic school in Cincinnati -followed by a U.S. Air Force Academy appointment, service as an Air Force captain and CIA case officer, and a graduate degree from Columbia University in 2025.
* The financial filings describe a wealthy candidate. Conroy's three largest disclosed holdings -each in the $100,001 to $250,000 range -are shares of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, and a federal Thrift Savings Plan account. Additional crypto-linked positions in MicroStrategy, a Grayscale Ethereum trust, and two other bitcoin-related funds fall in the $15,001 to $50,000 range, as does a Volkswagen SUV. The filing lists just $4,800 in reported salary income, from a consulting role with Berg Enterprises, along with a deferred federal pension from his time in the Air Force and CIA.
* The three campaign self-loans -$150,000 on September 22, $130,000 on September 25, and $7,500 on September 30 -were booked at zero percent interest and are due by the end of next year.
* Outside money has piled on top. Red Bridge Leadership PAC, an independent committee set up to support Conroy, announced $200,000 raised in an October press release. FEC receipts show its largest donors include $100,000 from Alabama-based First Principles Digital and $93,000 from Ohio-based Fyda Inc. One entry stands out for its timing: a $90,000 contribution from Conroy's father, Gary Conroy, booked September 30 -the same day the candidate's own campaign logged the last of its three personal loans.
***
Original text here: https://dccc.org/caught-lying-eric-conroys-humble-origins-story-falls-apart-as-financial-disclosures-expose-up-to-nearly-1-million-in-personal-assets/