David Sherfinski

Judge orders IRS to turn over more info on Lerner’s emails

A federal judge is demanding more information from the IRS on how it tried to recover data from former agency official Lois G. Lerner's hard drive when it crashed. Published August 17, 2014

Harry Reid shifts funds in effort to maintain Democrats’ Senate majority

Senate Majority PAC, far and away the biggest-spending super political action committee of the election cycle — at nearly $25 million — has begun pouring millions of dollars into Michigan, Iowa and Colorado, signaling just how quickly Democrats have shifted to defense heading into November's elections. Published August 15, 2014

McDaniel sues to overturn Mississippi Republican primary

State Sen. Chris McDaniel formally filed a legal challenge Thursday to the results of the June 24 Republican primary runoff in Mississippi's Senate race, which he lost to incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran. Published August 14, 2014

DCCC, NRCC up with first ad buys of campaign cycle

The campaign arms for Democrats and Republicans in the House are out with their first independent expenditure ads of the cycle, signifying an early unofficial start to the fall campaign season. Published August 12, 2014

As Eric Cantor steps down, Virginia election officials worry about voter confusion

Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's decision to quit Congress early is producing headaches back home, where elections officials worry that voters will be confused when they go to the polls on Nov. 4. Published August 11, 2014

Bloomberg super PAC wades into Milwaukee sheriff’s race

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Independence USA super PAC is spending $150,000 in ads in an effort to oust pro-gun Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke. Published August 11, 2014

Romney pollster to GOP: Don’t bank on ‘enthusiasm gap’

Neil Newhouse, the pollster for 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, said in a new memo that signs are pointing toward a possible Republican wave in the fall — but cautioned the party that relying too much on "voter enthusiasm" could be perilous. Published August 11, 2014

GOP ads aim nationally, Democrats locally

All politics is local — at least for vulnerable Senate Democrats seeking to survive a tough election year and headwinds from their party leader, President Obama. Published August 10, 2014

Andrew Cuomo ethics questions trip up re-election campaign in N.Y.

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's recent ethics problems have at least complicated his path to re-election this year and potentially his hopes for higher office in 2016. Published August 7, 2014

Gun battles in states rely on ballots, not bullets

Gun-control advocates insist public sentiment is on their side, but ballot initiatives in the states paint a much muddier picture. Published August 6, 2014

House Democrats gripe but cooperate in Benghazi investigation

Democrats may have agreed to participate in the Benghazi probe, but they're not exactly treating it as a legitimate pursuit. Published August 5, 2014

Williams: First lady didn’t discuss her relationship with husband

The prosecution's star witness in the corruption trial of former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife testified Friday that virtually all of his correspondence with the first lady dealt with business and that they never discussed her relationship with the governor. Published August 1, 2014

Williams: Maureen McDonnell’s high-dollar requests seemed excessive

The prosecution's key witness in the case against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife testified Thursday that at times even he was taken aback by the scope and breadth of high-dollar items the first lady asked him to buy for the family. Published July 31, 2014

Star witness in Bob McDonnell corruption trial refutes ‘crush’ defense

The prosecution's star witness in the public corruption case against former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife took the stand on Wednesday and quickly undercut the McDonnells' long-standing story that tens of thousands of dollars in gifts, loans, clothes and golf outings he provided them were motivated by friendship. Published July 30, 2014

Trips, loans for McDonnell family detailed at trial

A longtime aide to businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. said Wednesday that she couldn't speak to reports of a borderline inappropriate relationship between her boss and former first lady Maureen McDonnell, but she provided details about a number of trips and events she helped plan for the McDonnell family on behalf of the wealthy businessman. Published July 30, 2014

Defense lawyer: McDonnell’s wife had ‘crush’ on CEO

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's marriage had broken and his wife developed a crush on a wealthy CEO who heaped expensive gifts and attention on her, defense attorneys said Tuesday in a startling opening to the couple's federal corruption trial. Published July 29, 2014

Wilder, Cuccinelli may be called as witnesses in McDonnell trial

Published July 28, 2014

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s trial to test definitions of political corruption

The defense of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has always hinged on several key arguments. For example, the more than $165,000 in loans and gifts from businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. might have been unseemly — even worthy of an apology to the state — but it wasn't illegal. Published July 27, 2014

Half can’t name political party of their member of Congress, poll finds

Only about half of registered voters in a recent survey were able to identify even the political party of their own member of Congress. Published July 25, 2014

Mich. congressman returns Commerce award after group endorses opponent

Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, Michigan Republican, is returning an award given to him in March by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce after the chamber threw its support behind his primary opponent, Dave Trott. Published July 25, 2014