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Western district candidates allege shady campaign finance activity as primaries wind down

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Western district candidates allege shady campaign finance activity as primaries wind down

In a comparatively quiet main season for Montana’s new western U.S. Home district, accusations of shady marketing campaign finance dealings are flying because the campaigns hit the ultimate stretch earlier than Election Day.

After an out of doors spending group lately started attacking Democratic candidate Cora Neumann as being extra Californian than Montanan, her marketing campaign has responded by portray her main opponent, Monica Tranel, as too intently tied to the political motion committee’s actions.

A disclosure report filed with the Federal Elections Fee final week confirmed that Tranel’s husband, doctor Gregor Lind, contributed $5,000 to Montanans for a Higher Congress, which spent $109,000 in Might on a political advert supporting Tranel and attacking Neumann and GOP candidate Ryan Zinke. As an excellent PAC, the group can elevate and spend limitless cash however should disclose its donors.

Individuals are additionally studying…

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Tranel’s marketing campaign supervisor, Sam Sterling, was fast to level out that nothing within the FEC guidelines forbids a candidate’s husband from contributing to an impartial PAC. Marketing campaign finance legal guidelines forbid campaigns from coordinating with exterior PACs on political actions. However that authorized threshold is predicated on the FEC’s “three-pronged take a look at,” which might require proof of interactions between the 2 entities.

“Monica had no consciousness of Greg’s involvement, and Greg has no involvement within the actions of the tremendous PAC,” Sterling mentioned. He added that Tranel’s husband is a long-time donor to Democratic teams and campaigns, and has not been concerned within the day-to-day operations of his spouse’s marketing campaign.

After the Neumann marketing campaign lately started airing advertisements referring to the surface group as “Monica Tranel’s Tremendous PAC,” Tranel lately responded with a letter to native tv stations asking them to tug the advert, which she referred to as “libelous” for suggesting unlawful coordination.

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That hasn’t stopped Neumann’s marketing campaign from persevering with to hammer on the tremendous PAC subject, although.

“Monica Tranel is benefitting from an excellent PAC operating TV advertisements stuffed with lies about Cora,” her marketing campaign supervisor, Emma Harris, mentioned in an emailed assertion Thursday. “This tremendous PAC … has been funded by her husband and donors with the categorical goal of serving to her win this seat.”

Tranel has additionally turned to marketing campaign finance studies for main ammunition.

“I am in a race proper now the place over 80% of my marketing campaign cash comes from Montana, and I am actually happy with that,” Tranel informed the Montana State Information Bureau in an April 6 interview. “I’ll Congress from Montana and Montanans are sending me there. And my opponents, each within the main and the final, are elevating virtually the inverse proportion from out of state. So whose curiosity do you serve?”

These percentages are troublesome to pin down precisely, with each Neumann and Tranel reporting a large quantity of their particular person contributions as non-itemized, that means the donors didn’t attain the $200 threshold requiring them to be listed on disclosure studies.

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For Neumann, meaning 20% of her complete quantity raised from people aren’t accompanied by the donors’ states of residency, as of the latest FEC studies due final week.

For these which might be itemized, 25% of her complete fundraising {dollars} have come from Montana donors, with 26% coming from contributors in California. However the marketing campaign says that a lot of the non-itemized the rest is coming from in-state.

“The No. 1 supply of our complete {dollars} and the variety of contributions is Montana, and that’s pushed by small-dollar, grassroots contributions from Montanans,” Harris mentioned Thursday.

Neumann additionally holds a considerable fundraising lead over Tranel, which her marketing campaign has argued will make her better-positioned to compete towards the large warfare chest that Zinke has been accumulating, ought to he be the Republican nominee.

Tranel has gotten 82% of her itemized contributions, dollar-wise, from Montanans. These account for about two-thirds of her contributions.

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Tom Winter, a former state lawmaker from Missoula, stays a distant third within the Democratic cash race, having raised slightly below $100,000.

The Republican main has additionally generated solutions of fishy monetary actions by the campaigns. Al Olszewski’s marketing campaign supervisor, Drew Zinecker, pointed reporters on Tuesday to a latest article revealed within the newspaper Roll Name, which detailed the spending patterns of SEAL PAC, a political committee run by GOP candidate Ryan Zinke.

The PAC is devoted to “electing conservative veterans to steer our nation,” based on its web site. The article, revealed Tuesday, particulars the PAC’s spending to help GOP candidates, a few quarter of that are nonveterans, based on Roll Name. The article additionally discovered that most of the incumbent candidates it supported voted towards a measure in Congress to increase well being care advantages to veterans sickened by publicity to toxins throughout their service.

Zinke marketing campaign spokeswoman Heather Swift didn’t dispute the details of the article in an e-mail, however wrote that the previous congressman and Navy SEAL “completely disagrees with the characterization of the article” and famous the PAC additionally helps nonveterans who “are sturdy advocates for veterans and America First protection insurance policies.”

Swift additionally supplied an announcement from Zinke noting that his marketing campaign isn’t related to the spending group.

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“The SEAL PAC acronym stands for Supporting and Electing American Leaders and we’re very clear that we help conservative veterans and different conservatives who help veterans,” he said. “Being a veteran is honorable and I am grateful for all who served. Nonetheless it isn’t the one standards used to find out an endorsement. In lots of instances veterans are operating towards veterans, or a veteran decides to run however has completely no path to victory or legitimacy.”

Olszewski’s marketing campaign supervisor additionally shared analysis that confirmed Zinke benefitting from PACs that had gotten contributions from SEAL PAC within the final two years. FEC information present Zinke’s marketing campaign obtained greater than $29,000 in complete contributions from PACs that had gotten an analogous mixed complete from SEAL PAC since 2021. The marketing campaign has additionally obtained $10,000 instantly from SEAL PAC, based on disclosure studies.

“It is no shock that different like-minded conservative and veteran-aligned PACs help Zinke,” Swift wrote in response. “The marketing campaign isn’t related to the PAC and has nothing to do with PAC giving.”

The opposite Republican candidate to report important fundraising, Mary Todd, loaned her marketing campaign over $250,000, based on the latest finance studies.

Two different Republican candidates who’ve filed for the western congressional seat haven’t reported any fundraising to date: Mitch Heuer of Whitefish and Matt Jette of Missoula.

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Whereas the western district primaries have seen few fireworks to date, Carroll School political science professor Jeremy Johnson mentioned sparring over marketing campaign finance points isn’t too uncommon for a high-profile Montana race.

“Marketing campaign finance has been a difficulty of significance to Montanans for years now,” Johnson mentioned. He singled out the high-profile controversies surrounding Western Custom Partnership, which years in the past helped gas a bipartisan backlash towards so-called “darkish cash” teams working within the state.

“Montana’s actually been on the entrance of a variety of marketing campaign finance points for over a decade now, so it doesn’t shock me that these points would come to the floor,” he mentioned.

However whether or not the last-minute mud-slinging will matter to voters is an open query, Johnson added. As of Thursday, 24% of registered voters had already solid their ballots. Montana’s general turnout for midterm primaries has usually been between 30% and 40% lately.

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GOP Rep. Andy Ogles faces reelection amid FBI campaign finance probe

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GOP Rep. Andy Ogles faces reelection amid FBI campaign finance probe

Andy Ogles, a freshman Republican from Tennessee, is hoping to retain his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives amid an FBI investigation into alleged discrepancies in his 2022 campaign finances.

As the first-term congressman seeks reelection, he will face a strong challenge from Democrat Maryam Abolfazli, a progressive advocate from Nashville, in a district that has become increasingly competitive following recent redistricting.

Ogles, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, confirmed in August that federal agents had seized his cellphone as part of an ongoing investigation into his campaign’s financial filings.

The inquiry stems from reported inconsistencies in Ogles’ 2022 records, including a $320,000 loan he initially reported making to his campaign.

Newsweek has contacted Ogles’ office for comment via email.

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U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles speaks to supporters after being declared the winner in his Republican primary race, Aug. 1, 2024, in Franklin, Tennessee. He is hoping to fend off Democratic opponent Maryam Abolfazli in Tennessee…


Mark Humphrey/AP, file

What is Andy Ogles Accused Of?

Ogles later amended his filings, lowering the figure to $20,000, and explained that the larger amount had been a pledge, not an actual loan, which he claimed was mistakenly included in the reports.

In addition to the phone seizure, FBI agents obtained a warrant to access Ogles’ personal email account.

However, according to court documents, investigators have yet to review the contents of the account.

Ogles has publicly stated that he is fully cooperating with the investigation and believes the discrepancies were the result of honest errors.

Why is Nashville Left-Leaning?

The scrutiny follows an ethics complaint filed in January 2023 by the Campaign Legal Center, which raised concerns about potential violations related to his personal and campaign finances.

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Democratic congressional candidate Maryam Abolfazli
Democratic congressional candidate Maryam Abolfazli greets voters on primary election day, Aug. 1, 2024, at the Christ Church Nashville polling place in Nashville, Tennessee. Abolfazli is from Nashville and started Rise and Shine TN, a…


Jonathan Matisse/AP, file

The nonprofit, which advocates for transparency in political funding, compared Ogles’ situation to that of embattled New York Rep. George Santos, who has faced numerous investigations into his own campaign finances.

Ogles represents Tennessee’s 5th District, a Republican-leaning area that includes a portion of the liberal-leaning city of Nashville and stretches through five more conservative counties.

Although the district remains solidly Republican, the influence of Nashville’s progressive voters, combined with shifting national political dynamics, has created a potentially more competitive race than in the past.

In the 2022 election, Ogles won the seat by more than 13 percentage points, a result bolstered by the Republican-led redrawing of the state’s congressional districts after the 2020 census.

Lawmakers split Nashville into three separate districts, forcing longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper into retirement and shifting the state’s congressional delegation to an overwhelming GOP majority.

Ogles’ district now includes part of the newly drawn 5th District, which spans from the Democratic stronghold of Nashville through more conservative rural counties. The redistricting was seen as a strategic move by Republicans to strengthen their hold on the state’s congressional seats.

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Ogles faces a tough challenge from Maryam Abolfazli, a Nashville-based nonprofit leader and activist.

Who is Maryam Abolfazli?

Abolfazli, the founder of Rise and Shine TN, has been a vocal advocate for stronger gun control in the wake of the tragic shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville in March 2023, which left six people dead, including three children.

Since entering Congress, Ogles has become known for his vocal opposition to the Biden administration and his alignment with the most conservative factions of the Republican Party.

Beyond his financial controversies, Ogles has faced criticism for past statements about his educational background.

After a news outlet questioned his claim of holding an international relations degree, Ogles admitted to overstating his credentials, saying he was “mistaken” about his academic history.

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Ogles, a former mayor of Maury County and state director for the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, remains a staunch defender of conservative policies.

He has filed multiple articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, citing their administration’s policies on border security, the economy, and other issues.

Following Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection in 2024, Ogles introduced new articles of impeachment targeting Harris.

As the race in Tennessee’s 5th District heats up, Ogles’ ability to navigate the FBI investigation, manage his financial controversies, and hold onto his conservative base will be key to his chances of securing a second term.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press

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Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street drifts ahead of US Election Day

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Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street drifts ahead of US Election Day

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares were mixed in Asia early Tuesday after U.S. stock indexes drifted lower a day ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

This week will bring various potential flashpoints, among them Election Day in the United States. But the results may not be known for some time as officials count all the votes, and that could bring sharp swings since markets hate uncertainty.

U.S. futures were virtually unchanged early Tuesday.

Adding to the potential for volatility, the Federal Reserve will also be meeting on interest rates later this week. The widespread expectation is for it to cut its main interest rate for a second straight time.

Investors also hope the Chinese government may announce stimulus for the world’s second-largest economy.

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Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained 1.3% to 38,552.67, reopening after a holiday on Monday.

South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.7% to 2,569.75, while the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia dropped 0.6% to 8,117.30.

The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress is meeting this week, and analysts say the government may endorse major spending initiatives to boost economic growth amid troubles for the country’s real-estate industry.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported that the lawmakers had reviewed legislation to raise ceilings on local government debt to replace existing hidden debts, part of a process to arrange debt swaps to help resolve the financial woes brought on by the pandemic and by a collapse in the property market in recent years.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.1% at 20,597.30 and the Shanghai Composite index picked up 0.4% to 3,323.26.

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On Monday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.3% to 5,712.69, remaining near its record set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6% to 41,794.60, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3% to 18,179.98.

Intel fell 2.9%, and chemical producer Dow sank 2.1% in their first trading since getting notified they’ll no longer be included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway dropped 2.2% and was one of the heaviest weights on the market after reporting a drop in operating profit for the latest quarter.

But the majority of stocks within the S&P 500 rose, including a 2.8% gain for Fox after it reported a stronger profit than expected.

The hope that’s propelled U.S. stock indexes to records recently is that the U.S. economy can remain resilient and avoid a long-feared recession, in part because of the coming cuts to rates expected from the Fed.

The broad U.S. stock market has historically risen regardless of which party wins the White House. And in 2020, U.S. stocks climbed immediately after Election Day and kept going even after former President Donald Trump refused to concede and challenged the results, creating plenty of uncertainty. A large part of that rally was due to excitement about the potential for a vaccine for COVID-19, which had just shut down the global economy.

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University of Phoenix and Goalsetter Launch Financial Wellness Webinar Series

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University of Phoenix and Goalsetter Launch Financial Wellness Webinar Series

Virtual, free series features Goalsetter’s award-winning curriculum along with guest speakers to support financial wellness

PHOENIX, November 04, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–University of Phoenix is pleased to announce a new webinar series with Goalsetter, an award-winning financial education platform dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve financial wellness through engaging and practical resources. The ten-part series will launch with a discussion on “Managing Credit Card Debt and Fostering Good Credit Habits,” on Tuesday, November 19, at 12 p.m. MST. Featuring Tanya Van Court, Founder and CEO of Goalsetter, Kevin Soehner, Senior VP of Operations for iGrad®, and moderated by Chris Conway, Director of Financial Literacy at University of Phoenix, the discussion will focus on building good credit habits, understanding interest rates, and how credit can impact personal finance decisions. Throughout the series, participants will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to manage their finances and plan for a secure financial future, as well as have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session during each webinar.

“At University of Phoenix, we are committed to equipping our students with the knowledge and tools necessary for financial success,” shares Director of Financial Literacy at the University, Chris Conway. “Our collaboration with Goalsetter aligns with our mission to empower students not only in their academic and career pursuits but also in their financial lives by helping them save time and money. This webinar series is designed to provide practical strategies and insights that can help learners make informed financial decisions.”

Each month during the series, University of Phoenix and Goalsetter will offer webinars focused on key strategies for financial wellness:

  • November: Managing Credit Card Debt and Fostering Good Credit Habits

  • December: Paying for School and Scholarships

  • January: The Art and Science of Effective Budgeting

  • February: Stop Overspending: 5 Tips

  • March: Yes! You Can Save Money: Little Actions that Add Up

  • April: Emergency Funds are Critical; How to Create Them, Even If You Think You Canʼt

  • May: Why Credit Scores are Important and How to Improve Them

  • June: How to Plan for Your Eventual Retirement

  • July: Investing in Your Families’ Future

  • August: How to Set Your Kids Up for Future Financial Success

“Our mission is to empower every individual with the financial knowledge they need to secure a strong financial future,” says Van Court. “By working with the University of Phoenix, we are bringing our award-winning financial education tools to a larger audience, helping individuals and families gain the practical skills to make informed financial choices. Together, we aim to create a pathway toward financial freedom that’s accessible, engaging, and transformative.”

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