@andycates
 Austin, TX, USA
Joined July 2009
  • Tweets1.1K
  • Following376
  • Followers516
68Media
This is what happens when legislators defund election regulators: we end up with the FCC making decisions about robocalls that NO ONE wants, and the FEC completely hapless to do anything about it. tinyurl.com/muzu5msb tinyurl.com/4r73fa65

FCC considers allowing more political robocalls before midterms, including those created with AI

The Federal Communications Commission is considering a request to loosen rules on political robocalls, including those with AI-generated voices.

apnews.com
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Must be nice to be in a state where a state official calls out another in his own party for ethics violations. nytimes.com/2026/09/24/nyreg… via @NYTimes

Gov. Mikie Sherrill Calls for the Resignation of Her Lt. Governor

Investigators found that New Jersey’s lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, sought a promotion for his girlfriend and made a sexually charged comment to a staff member.

nytimes.com
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But sure let’s nitpick any attempt to rein in deepfakes and possible election tampering through fake polling groups and prediction markets. I’m sure we’ll be just fine.
Natalie Winters
@nataliegwintersAug 21
EXCLUSIVE: Chinese Institutions Are Building AI Models Of American Voters—And Testing Political Messages On Them. Fudan used 171 MILLION X posts to create a million-account “voter pool.” A government-linked team tested a campaign message on synthetic Pennsylvania voters. 🧵
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Just careening into a Black Mirror episode, I see.
CRSHMARKET
@crshmarketAug 19
What if any livestream could become a prediction market? Will her Uber arrive in under 2 minutes? Will he get her phone number? Will he score the next goal? Markets that have never existed before... until now.
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Don’t be surprised if this ends up being a ploy by someone attempting to discredit traditional polling in favor of prediction markets.
Brett LoGiurato@BrettLoGiuratoAug 18
So this is pretty wild: A polling firm that came out of nowhere to show Francesca Hong with a 23-point lead over David Crowley in the Wisconsin primary has shut down and said its whole operation was bogus
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Inbox this morning - getting quoted in Wired! wired.com/story/election-off…

Election Officials Are Preparing for Prediction Markets to Sow Chaos in the Midterms

From threats to the safety of poll workers to voters who can’t distinguish between odds and results, prediction markets are already scrambling the political process.

wired.com
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Quick Announcement: If you've ever used my book Texas Ethics Laws and found yourself wishing there was a digital version that you could search easily....you're welcome - The online version is now available at books.andrewcates.com.
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This version will be perpetually up-to-date (no more waiting for new book versions) and has convenient links to EVERYTHING: ethics opinions, OAG opinions, case law, and enabling legislation. Price point is $20/mo or $200/yr. Enjoy!
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If you haven't heard yet, the TX Ethics Commission just made a significant rule change and dropped some opinions that could have serious impacts for the rest of this campaign cycle. Read on... 1/6 #txlege
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3. Another opinion confirms that it is not considered bribery under the Penal Code for a candidate, political party or PAC to pay online social media users to engage with a post (incl views, watching videos & completing surveys). 5/6
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It still requires a political advertising disclaimer, but it is not otherwise illegal. This is an expansion of previous paid social media influencer strategies discussed last year, and it could really open up the pay-to-play engagement market in political campaigning. 6/6
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Mr. Craft ought to check PACER once in a while. The Johnson Amendment is still alive and well and his church could be fined or lose their tax status for this bold display of illegal activity. linkedin.com/feed/update/urn… @AngelaMathew13

Judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements | Andrew Cates

Johnson Amendment on Life Support: In late March, despite both parties agreeing to let the court declare that the 501(c)(3) charities involved could endorse candidates and engage in political speech,...

linkedin.com
Dallas Morning News
@dallasnewsMay 13
Keith Craft, lead pastor at Elevate Life Church in Frisco, said his congregation should vote for mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer, who helped build the church. dallasnews.com/news/politics…

Frisco pastor calls Islam 'demonic agenda,' says mayoral race is 'spiritual battle'

Keith Craft, lead pastor at Elevate Life Church in Frisco, said his congregation should vote for mayoral candidate Rod Vilhauer, who helped build the church. 

dallasnews.com
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If they keep this up, the “ineffectual” D’s in Congress who have sat idly by may prove to be geniuses. The GOP just can’t help but do something dumb just as soon as everyone forgot the last insane thing they did. All right before midterms too. Unreal nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/po…

G.O.P. Proposes $1 Billion in Immigration Bill for Trump’s Ballroom Project

The money would go toward security improvements as part of an East Wing construction project, including a new ballroom that President Trump has said would be built with private dollars.

nytimes.com
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Good reminder for candidates out there. Paying your family members to work on your campaign is okay only as long as it’s fair market value. Anything more and you invite a formal complaint. nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/n…
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Let’s just keep this in mind the next time we hear those from the GOP screaming about “CLOSE THE PRIMARIES” and trying to call it election fraud. washingtonpost.com/politics/…

Analysis | Republicans are boosting Jasmine Crockett ahead of critical Senate primary

The Washington Post’s essential guide to power and influence in D.C.

washingtonpost.com
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Well, hate to say I told you so, but I told you this was going to happen. And by invoking @realmitchlittle’s “parody” phrase he used so much on the back mic, there’s nothing she can do about it. youtube.com/shorts/f8r9bDSvH…. Welcome to the new AI campaign hellscape.
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As we move into the midterms, expect the line between "voter" and "investor" to blur. If you are involved in political consulting, compliance, or campaign strategy, you cannot afford to ignore it. linkedin.com/pulse/kalshi-po…

Kalshi & Polymarket as the New Political Polls

Are Prediction Markets the 21st Century Equivalent of Political Polling? For decades, political campaigns and observers have relied on a single source of truth to gauge the electorate: the public...

linkedin.com
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