Running for the payoff
A complaint about liquor taxes becomes a plan to run Dennis for comptroller, then collect a bribe for withdrawing.
Supporting source ↗CASE FILE · S02 E08
The Gang Runs for Office
S02 E08Photograph not available
Frank offers the gang his political wisdom, which unsurprisingly involves bribery. Then Dennis decides to run for office himself.
THE SHORT VERSION · SPOILERS AHEAD
INSIDE THE CASE.
Campaign props
A clipboard marks whoever currently manages the campaign. Homemade signs, an American flag and a novelty banknote furnish the gang’s improvised political operation.
Supporting source ↗The smear tape
Frank and Mac attack Dennis’s reputation. Charlie trades his prized Garbage Pail Kids collection for the tape, only for Dennis to quit voluntarily.
Supporting source ↗Everyone wants a cut
Dee’s approach to Jack Stanford turns into an unpleasant date. Mac’s pursuit of a payoff ends with police demanding one from him.
Supporting source ↗THE EVIDENCE
THINGS IN THIS EPISODE.
Characters
Charlie Kelly180 other recorded episodes
Charlie operates the camcorder for Dennis’s campaign advertisement.Source ↗
Dee Reynolds179 other recorded episodes
Dee sits opposite the comptroller in a pink dress.Source ↗
Dennis Reynolds176 other recorded episodes
Dennis stands before the patriotic backdrop in his campaign suit.Source ↗
Frank Reynolds171 other recorded episodes
Frank displays the trading-card collection he obtained from Charlie.Source ↗
Jack StanfordOnly recorded here so far
Jack Stanford meets Frank and Dee in his office.Source ↗
Jack Stanford’s wifeOnly recorded here so far
The dark-haired woman confronts Dee at the restaurant.Source ↗
MarvinOnly recorded here so far
Marvin sits beside Mac in the car during the threatening meeting.Source ↗
The mother at the mallOnly recorded here so far
The mother in a pink shirt objects when Mac approaches her stroller.Source ↗
Locations
Atlantic City1 other recorded episode
Mac proposes an Atlantic City trip; none is shown.Source ↗
Camp CumberlandOnly recorded here so far
The smear ad names Camp Cumberland; Dennis disputes its allegation.Source ↗
Charlie’s apartment48 other recorded episodes
Charlie’s apartment becomes a makeshift campaign studio.Source ↗
Paddy’s Pub147 other recorded episodes
Campaign signs are assembled and worn inside the bar.Source ↗
Objects
American flags2 other recorded episodes
An American flag hangs behind Dennis during filming.Source ↗
Camcorders17 other recorded episodes
Charlie films with a large shoulder-held video camera.Source ↗
Clipboards2 other recorded episodes
Mac claims campaign authority while holding a clipboard.Source ↗
Garbage Pail KidsOnly recorded here so far
Charlie shows Frank the cards arranged in his collection binder.Source ↗
Homemade signs5 other recorded episodes
A handwritten board advertises Dennis’s campaign.Source ↗
Newspapers7 other recorded episodes
Newspaper pages cover the table during campaign planning.Source ↗
Novelty banknotesOnly recorded here so far
An oversized imitation banknote decorates Dennis’s campaign backdrop.Source ↗
Police cars3 other recorded episodes
Mac sits in the rear of a marked police car with two officers.Source ↗
Schemes
Bribery5 other recorded episodes
Mac tries to secure a payment for withdrawing Dennis from the election.Source ↗
Political campaignsOnly recorded here so far
Dennis runs for a local comptroller position.Source ↗
Smear campaignsOnly recorded here so far
An attack advertisement uses a stark photograph of Dennis.Source ↗
Running jokes
Charlie’s illiteracy22 other recorded episodes
Dennis cannot make sense of the campaign speech Charlie wrote.Source ↗
Costumes
Trench coats1 other recorded episode
Frank wears a belted trench coat and hat for a clandestine meeting.Source ↗
Miscellaneous
Hillary Clinton referencesOnly recorded here so far
Dee names Hillary Clinton as a politician (mention only).Source ↗
John F. Kennedy referencesOnly recorded here so far
Mac compares Dennis’s appearance to JFK (mention only).Source ↗
FOLLOW THE THREAD
CONNECTED EPISODES.
S05 E07 
Connected through American flags, Police cars, Paddy’s Pub and 5 more.
S10 E05 Connected through Trench coats, Paddy’s Pub, Frank Reynolds and 4 more.
S01 E02 Connected through Clipboards, Homemade signs, Paddy’s Pub and 4 more.
S06 E11 Connected through Atlantic City, Frank Reynolds, Dennis Reynolds and 3 more.
SOURCES & NOTES.
Tags document researched occurrences, not every appearance. Read the research notes and attribution.