To understand money's pernicious role, don’t think of candidates receiving briefcases of bribes. Think of the "Pyramid of Money."

Rosenblum recused herself from the investigation into disgraced cryptocurrency executive Nishad Singh, whose $500,000 donation to the Democratic Party of Oregon was falsely reported as coming from a Las Vegas company. Rosenblum should have ensured independence long ago, considering the cozy relationship she and former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan have had with the Democratic Party.

Fagan resigned May 8 amid a controversy over a $10,000 a month side gig she took consulting with a cannabis company.

Oregon's new elections director worked for the Democratic Party of Oregon but will nonetheless oversee an investigation of the party's large cryptocurrency donation.

Letter to the editor

Democratic state Sen. Jeff Golden of Ashland is among the Oregon Legislature’s most vocal proponents of campaign contribution limits. His fellow Democrats and their political allies independently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Golden's reelction.

The Portland City Auditor on Wednesday reversed its October determination that Rene Gonzalez’s city council campaign violated campaign finance limits by accepting a subsidized $250 monthly rent for over 3,000 square feet of office space and two designated parking spots in downtown Portland owned by campaign supporter and real estate mogul Jordan Schnitzer.

In just three years, the FTX co-founder built a massive operation to woo politicians, regulators and nonprofits to support his crypto goals.

Political spending on the Oregon governor's race nearly doubled from four years ago. The state is one of just five in the nation without campaign contribution limits.

Taking FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s money was already a bit of a controversial subject. Now it’s looking downright scandalous. But Democrats aren’t speaking up.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight has shaken up the Oregon governor’s election, which could result in the state’s first Republican leader in more than three decades.

Multnomah County’s highest elected role is between two similar candidates with different approaches.

Hoping to influence regulations, cryptocurrency executives and startups are providing a fresh pool of financing for candidates heading into November’s congressional elections.

A complaint filed Wednesday with the IRS, Oregon Secretary of State and Oregon Department of Justice alleges that the political nonprofit Oregon Pathfinder might have exceeded federal elections spending limits and illegally coordinated with Republican Bridget Barton's campaign for governor. The complaint was filed by the campaign manager for Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan.

Oregon's first Republican gubernatorial primary debate featured 11 of the 19 candidates running. Even with so many participants, the debate surfaced few policy differences among the candidates.

Find out the latest big donors, and see what candidates say that support shows about their priorities and whom they'd listen to as governor.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who has a history of supporting Republican candidates in Oregon, gave another $250,000 on Friday to longtime moderate Democratic lawmaker Betsy Johnson, who is running for governor this year without any party.

With a leveled financial field, name recognition and endorsements can all weigh heavy in the outcome.

“They just need to show us where the money is coming from and who is behind it," a union lobbyist said.