With elections fast approaching, allegations of illegal campaign contributions have become more heated in the states.  

Take Wisconsin, for example.  In 2005, Richard and Barbara Schiffrin donated $10,000 and $5,000 to embattled Governor Jim Doyle (D) and Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager (D), respectively, at a campaign function.  Later that day, Richard Schiffrin sought state business with the Wisconsin Investment Board at meetings established by a Lautenschlager aide and the Doyle campaign's chief fund-raiser.  

Though Schiffrin's law firm was not hired by the state, the Wisconsin Ethics Board is now reviewing whether the campaign contributions were "met with promises to help obtain state business."  Political rivals themselves, Doyle and Lautenschlager must now fend off charges of ethics violations from their Republican challengers.

Meanwhile, Missouri Democrats are outraged at Governor Matt Blunt (R) for what they see as a blatantly illegal campaign contribution.

According to a recent financial report, Blunt's campaign committee received $38,982 from the Republican National Committee in April, an amount that rises well above state contribution limits from party committees.