These ideas come from California Watch investigative reporter Chase Davis, who has written about campaign finance in five states. He's happy to point you in the right direction as you pursue these stories in your own community. Contact him at cdavis@californiawatch.org.
Follow the (soft) money
A campaign contribution is a campaign contribution … except when it’s not. If you really want to keep tabs on the special interests backing your local candidates, don’t just look at their campaign accounts: Watch out for independent expenditure committees, party committees and political action committees, too. If you hear TV or radio ads, pay attention to who sponsors them. If you’re at a campaign rally, look for signs, banners and even key people who might offer clues as to who is pouring money into your local races. You can always look them up on Cal-Access to find out for sure.
For a good cause? Politicians and charities
Many politicians, or their close relatives, either operate or have close ties with charitable organizations. In the best cases, this provides a wonderful outlet for officials to use their public profile to better their communities. In the worst cases, it can be yet another scheme to rake in cash from special interests. Pay close attention to the charities your local politician supports and pull their tax forms on GuideStar. How much money have they raised? How much have they spent on charitable causes? Unlike campaign contributions, donations to charities are not public information. Have any local business leaders suddenly taken an interest in your politician's cause?
Big contracts, bigger favors
Ever notice how every time a road gets resurfaced along your drive to work, it always seems to be done by the same company? Government contracts are big business for local contractors, and one of the best ways for businesses to get an edge is to get close with the men and women who decide which companies get public business. Check out the contractors that seem to be getting a lot of business: Have they been sued? Have they been barred from doing federal business? Do local politicians or their family and friends have a financial stake in the company? Contracting decisions are a great way for politicians to pay back their friends and supporters.
