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IRE/NICAR Tipsheet No. 98

Basic Resources For Campaign Finance Stories
By: Chuck Babcock


Campaign Money: The Federal Election Commission, office of public records, 999 E St. NW, Washington, (202) 219-4140; The Center for Responsive Politics, and the affiliated National Library on Money and Politics (202) 857-0044.

Personal Money: Each member of Congress, most senior member of their staffs, and executive branch officials have to file annual personal financial disclosure statements by May 25 for the preceding year. The Clerk of the House (202-225-1300) and the Senate's office of public records (202-224-0762) keep six years worth of the filings. (The House also prints them up so they are available back to 1979).

Experts: Besides the above sources, several attorneys and academics are usually willing to answer technical questions about the campaign laws and/or be quoted on issues about money and politics and ethics. This is by no means a comprehensive sample.

(all numbers area code 202 unless another listed)

Herb Alexander - USC prof, presidential money, (213) 743-5211

Jan Baran - Republican Party lawyer, 429-7330

Robert Bauer - Democratic Party Attorney, 434-1602

Kent Cooper - Executive Director, Center for Responsive Politics, 857-0044

Chuck Lewis - Executive Director, Center for Public Integrity, 783-3900

Kenneth A. Gross - former FEC enforcement counsel, 371-7007

Michael Josephson - ethics institute, (213) 306-1868

David Magleby - Brigham Young University, (801) 378-3432

Thomas Mann - Brookings Institute, 797-6050

Fred Wertheimer - Common Cause, 833-1200

Favorite Tip - There are many ways a special interest group can help a politician. So when looking at a public official, look at all his/her money, personal finances, favorite charity, real estate holdings (which often don't have to be reported on a financial disclosure statement) as well as campaign money. There may be connections there worth exploring. Good hunting.


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