Wertheimer Political Report, October 29, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21 NEWS
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA) announced today they will introduce legislation to close a major loophole in the campaign finance laws.
Democracy 21 strongly supports the Van Hollen/Garcia bill, which will close the massive loophole in the government contractor ban by extending the ban to cover contractors’ executive officers, major shareholders, and affiliated corporations.
If you believe that Elon Musk and other billionaires in similar situations must be curbed in their efforts to buy influence over our elected officials, this legislation is an important step toward that goal.
Government contractors are currently banned from making campaign contributions to prevent corrupting pay-to-play arrangements. But the current law simply does not work in this era of billionaires heading companies with government contracts and making huge campaign contributions to super PACs.
Elon Musk is the poster child for why the government contractor ban must cover executive officers, major shareholders and affiliated corporations if it is to prevent pay-to-play arrangements.
Musk is the biggest campaign contributor in American history. In 2024, Musk reportedly gave more than $250 million to support President Trump and other Republican candidates.
In 2026, Musk, together with his company United States of America, Inc. reportedly has given more than $483 to political committees to support Republican congressional candidates. This includes reportedly pouring at least $168 million into the Texas Senate race to support Republican Ken Paxton. Musk appears out to buy his own personal Senator in Texas.
Musk’s total campaign contributions in 2024 and 2026 add up to some three-quarters of a billion dollars. Musk’s companies, meanwhile, have a reported $38 billion in government contracts.
You need go no further than Elon Musk to understand why this new anti-corruption legislation is essential to protect the interests of the American people.
The legislation also prevents contractors from using dark money groups as pass-throughs for spending money to influence federal elections and prohibits political committees from accepting banned federal contractor contributions
Democracy 21 strongly commends Senator Van Hollen and Rep. Garcia for the valuable national leadership they have provided with this essential government integrity legislation.
— Fred Wertheimer 
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
Nvidia Chief Seen as Target of Chinese Spy Plot.
“A Chinese businesswoman who had a close relationship with Jensen Huang was found to be passing intelligence to Beijing. President Trump was briefed and took no action.” — The New York Times
Trump’s Elections Czar.
“Conservative powerbroker Cleta Mitchell has raised a grassroots army to transform American voting systems and worked closely with the administration to enact her plans. No one besides Trump himself has done more to overhaul elections.” — ProPublica
Judge Rejects Federal Government’s Demand to Sequester 20,000 Calif. Ballots.
“U.S. District Judge David Carter called the DOJ’s TRO request evidence of “a broad, ongoing pattern of attempted election interference.” — Law
Trump’s arch would cast shadow on Arlington Cemetery.
“The monument would darken the nation’s premier military burial ground early in the morning on more than 280 days a year, a Post analysis finds.” — The Washington Post
Trump could be a ‘super-lame duck’ if things go badly for the president on Election Day.
“Political prognosticators are heralding the possible end of the Trump era.” — MS NOW
Trump says it’s his money to control. The law forbids it.
“The president’s hold over MAGA Inc. flies in the face of U.S. campaign-finance laws.” — The Washington Post
Kennedy to Allow Broad Use of Unapproved Peptide Injections.
“In a unilateral declaration by the health secretary, several injections promoted by online influencers will become widely available. The F.D.A. had advised against the move.” — The New York Times
Trump’s Firing Of Prosecutor Maurene Comey Was Unlawful, Judge Rules.
“Judge Jesse Furman said centuries of legal precedent applied to his decision.” — Huffpost
DC judge orders new golf course hearing after Trump vows to push ahead with redevelopment. — The Hill
Reopen Watergate? Of Course Trumpworld Is Intrigued. — The New York Times
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
Capitol agenda: House GOP eyes Jordan vs. Scalise. If Republicans lose the House next week, some GOP lawmakers are skeptical Speaker Mike Johnson would stay on as the top Republican in the chamber. — Politico
Defense priorities tied up in lame-duck jumble. Trump’s moves away from Ukraine and toward Russia could endanger his agenda. — Roll Call
Fifty-fifty, Fetterman and filibuster: What could a split Senate look like? Party control has flip-flopped in the past. Is that in store for the 120th? — Roll Call
Massie vows ‘week one’ vote in lame duck to impeach Hegseth. ‘It would be soon after we return — if he’s still in the job,’ Massie says. — Roll Call
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
Key election stakeholders have lawsuits prepped and are ready to hit ‘send’ on Tuesday — and beyond — if needed. — MS NOW
Democrats in striking distance: New CNN polls in four states highlight party’s path to Senate majority. — CNN
Big Changes to Makeup of the Biggest Midterm Donors. Since Citizens United, the composition of the top 40 donors in the midterms has shifted dramatically: more money, more support for Republicans, less transparency, and new industries like crypto surging while older sectors like labor disappear. — Brennan Center for Justice
The sharp divide in how Democrats and Republicans get campaign cash. Small-dollar contributions account for 31 percent of money sent to Democratic campaigns, compared with 16 percent of Republicans. — The Washington Post
Voters in Michigan, Arizona, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have a rare opportunity to give Democrats unified control of their state governments. — MS NOW
Billionaires shatter spending record to fight California wealth tax. It’s a striking and historic show of unity from a notoriously hard-to-organize donor class, a POLITICO analysis shows. — Politico
The seven races that will decide control of the Senate. Polls show tight races in a handful of states, making it hard to tell whether Democrats or Republicans will prevail next week. — The Washington Post
The 10 most vulnerable House members less than a week before Election Day. Republicans dominate final list as Democrats’ appear favored to flip chamber. — Roll Call
