Lee Ann Elliott, Chairman
April 30, 1999 1
Commissioner Elliott was first appointed in 1981 and reappointed in 1987 and 1994. She previously served as Chairman in 1984 and 1990. Before her first appointment, Commissioner Elliott was vice president of a political consulting firm, Bishop, Bryant & Associates, Inc. From 1961 to 1979, she was an executive of the American Medical Political Action Committee. Commissioner Elliott was on the board of directors of the American Association of Political Consultants and on the board of the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group, of which she is a past president. She was also a member of the Public Affairs Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 1979, she received the Award for Excellence in Serving Corporate Public Affairs from the National Association of Manufacturers.
A native of St. Louis, Commissioner Elliott graduated from the University of Illinois. She also completed Northwestern University's Medical Association Management Executive Program and is a Certified Association Executive.
John Warren McGarry, Vice Chairman
April 30, 1995
First appointed to the Commission in 1978, Commissioner McGarry was reappointed in 1983 and 1989. He served as FEC Chairman in 1991, 1985 and 1981. Before his 1978 Commission appointment, Commissioner McGarry served as special counsel on elections to the House Administration Committee. He previously combined private law practice with service as chief counsel to the House Special Committee to Investigate Campaign Expenditures, a special committee established by Congress every election year through 1972. Before his work with Congress, Commissioner McGarry was the Massachusetts assistant attorney general.
After graduating cum laude from Holy Cross College, Commissioner McGarry did graduate work at Boston University and earned a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law School.
Joan D. Aikens
April 30, 1995
One of the original members of the Commission, Commissioner Aikens was first appointed in 1975. Following the reconstitution of the FEC that resulted from the Supreme Court's Buckley v. Valeo decision, President Ford reappointed her to a five-year term. In 1981, President Reagan named Commissioner Aikens to complete a term left open because of a resignation and, in 1983, once again reappointed her to a full six-year term. Most recently, Commissioner Aikens was reappointed by President Bush in 1989. She served as FEC Chairman in 1978, 1986 and 1992.
Before her 1975 appointment, Commissioner Aikens was an executive with Lew Hodges Communications, a public relations firm in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. She was also a member of the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, president of the Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women and on the board of directors of the National Federation of Republican Women. A native of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Commissioner Aikens has been active in a variety of volunteer organizations and was a member of the Commonwealth Board of the Medical College of Pennsylvania and a past President of Executive Women in Government. She is currently a member of the board of directors of Ursinus College, where she received her B.A. degree and an honorary Doctor of Law degree.
Danny L. McDonald
April 30, 1999
Now serving his fourth term as Commissioner, Mr. McDonald was first appointed to the Commission in 1981 and was reappointed in 1987 and 1994. Before his original appointment, he managed 10 regulatory divisions as the general administrator of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He had previously served as secretary of the Tulsa County Election Board and as chief clerk of the board. He was also a member of the Advisory Panel to the FEC's National Clearinghouse on Election Administration.
A native of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Mr. McDonald graduated from Oklahoma State University and attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He served as FEC Chairman in 1983 and 1989.
Scott E. Thomas
April 30, 1997
Mr. Thomas was appointed to the Commission in 1986 and reappointed in 1991. He was the 1993 Chairman, having earlier been Chairman in 1987. He previously served as executive assistant to former Commissioner Thomas E. Harris and succeeded him as Commissioner. Joining the FEC as a legal intern in 1975, Mr. Thomas eventually became an Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement.
A Wyoming native, Mr. Thomas graduated from Stanford University and holds a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He is a member of the District of Columbia and U.S. Supreme Court bars.
John C. Surina, Staff Director
Before joining the Commission in 1983, John Surina was assistant managing director of the Interstate Commerce Commission, where he was detailed to the "Reform 88" program at the Office of Management and Budget. In that role, he worked on projects to reform administrative management within the federal government. He was also an expert-consultant to the Office of Control and Operations, EOP-Cost of Living Council-Pay Board and on the technical staff of the Computer Sciences Corporation. During his Army service, Mr. Surina was executive officer of the Special Security Office, where he supported senior U.S. delegates to NATO's civil headquarters in Brussels. Mr. Surina served as 1991 chairman of the Council on Government and Ethics Laws (COGEL).
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Mr. Surina holds a degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He also attended East Carolina University and American University.
Lawrence M. Noble, General Counsel
Lawrence Noble became General Counsel in 1987, after serving as Acting General Counsel. He joined the Commission in 1977, becoming the Deputy General Counsel in 1983. He previously served as Assistant General Counsel for Litigation and as a litigation attorney. Before his FEC service, he was an attorney with the Aviation Consumers Action Project.
A native of New York, Mr. Noble holds a degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and a J.D. degree from the National Law Center at George Washington University. He is a member of the bars for the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the District of Columbia. He is also a member of the American and District of Columbia Bar Associations.
Lynne McFarland, Inspector General
Lynne McFarland became the FEC's first permanent Inspector General in February 1990. She came to the Commission in 1976, first as a reports analyst and then as a program analyst in the Office of Planning and Management.
A Maryland native, Ms. McFarland holds a sociology degree from Frostburg State College and is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
January
1 - Chairman Lee Ann Elliott and Vice Chairman John Warren McGarry begin their one-year terms of office.
5 - FEC releases audit report on Committee to Elect Michael Patrick Flanagan.
11-12 - FEC holds membership/trade conference in Washington, DC.
23 - Commission releases 1995 year-end PAC count.
25 - FEC releases audit report on Jude for Congress.
31 - 1995 year-end report due.
February
9 - Regulations on public funding of Presidential campaign take effect.
12 - FEC releases audit report on Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party.
13 - Alan Keyes declared eligible for matching funds.
14 - FEC launches home page on World Wide Web.
15 - U.S. district court invalidates regulatory definition of express advocacy. (Maine Right to Life v. FEC)
20 - U.S. appeals court affirms most of district court's decision upholding best efforts regulations. (RNC v. FEC)
28 - U.S. district court dismisses FEC v. GOPAC.
March
8 - FEC holds candidate conference in Washington, DC.
12 - FEC releases audit report on Citizens for Jack Metcalf.
13 - Regulations on corporate/labor communications and facilities take effect.
- FEC releases statistics on Congressional candidate and national party activity during 1995.
15 - Commission approves additional $340,000 cost-of-living payments for national nominating conventions.
- FEC announces 1996 Presidential spending limits and 441a(d) limits.
20 - Open hearing on proposed rules on the staging of candidate debates by cable television stations.
21 - Commission votes to seek $30.8 million FY 1997 appropriation.
April
1 - FEC publishes 1996 Combined Federal/State Disclosure Directory.
- FEC releases audit report on Montana State Democratic Central Committee.
2 - FEC releases audit report on Nevada State Democratic Party.
4 - Commission sends 50 recommendations for legislative change to President and Congress.
- FEC releases statistics on 1995 PAC activity.
9 - FEC releases audit report on Bob Barr for Congress '94.
11-12 - FEC holds regional conference in Chicago.
15 - Quarterly report due.
16 - Commissioner Scott E. Thomas testifies before House Appropriations Subcommittee on $30.87 million FY 1997 budget request.
18 - FEC releases audit report on West Virginia State Democratic Executive Committee.
19 - U.S. district court finds regulations on qualified nonprofit corporations unconstitutional. (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life v. FEC)
24 - FEC releases audit report on The Friends of Conrad Burns.
May
1 - Office of Election Administration publishes Campaign Finance Law 96.
6 - FEC releases audit report on Carol Moseley Braun for U.S. Senate.
8 - FEC releases 15-month report on national party finances.
17 - FEC releases audit report on United Republican Fund of Illinois.
20 - U.S. district court invalidates rules on voting records and voter guides. (Clifton v. FEC)
23 - FEC releases 15-month Congressional election figures.
June
1 - FEC issues 21st annual report.
7 - FEC releases 15-month PAC statistics.
10 - FEC releases audit report on San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee.
- FEC releases audit report on American Hospital Association Political Action Committee.
21 - Regulations on cable television debates and news stories take effect.
26 - Supreme Court rules political party may make independent expenditures. (FEC v. Colorado Republican Campaign Committee)
July
1 - Office of Election Administration publishes Federal Election Law 96.
11 - FEC releases semiannual PAC count.
15 - Quarterly report due.
August
1 - FEC publishes new edition of Campaign Guide for Political Party Committees.
- Office of Election Administration publishes Simplifying Election Forms and Materials.
2 - U.S. appeals court upholds district court's dismissal of FEC v. Christian Action Network.
- FEC releases audit report on Idaho Republican Party Federal Campaign Account.
- FEC releases audit report on Abraham for Senate.
6 - FEC releases 18-month report on Congressional candidate activity.
7 - In response to Colorado Republicans decision, FEC deletes rule banning independent expenditures by parties.
- FEC releases audit report on Republican Campaign Committee of New Mexico.
- FEC releases 18-month report on party finances.
12 - FEC releases audit report on Republican Party of Dade County.
15 - FEC certifies $61.82 million payment of public funds to Dole/Kemp campaign.
- FEC publishes final rules on electronic filing.
22 - FEC certifies $29.055 million payment of public funds to Perot/Choate campaign.
23-24 - FEC Election Administration Advisory Panel meets in Washington, DC.
30 - FEC certifies $61.82 million payment of public funds to Clinton/Gore campaign.
September
11 - FEC releases audit report on Democratic State Central Committee of California-Federal.
27 - FEC releases 18-month PAC statistics.
October
1 - FEC denies requests to suspend matching fund payments to Clinton and Dole campaigns.
- Office of Election Administration publishes Journal of Election Administration, Election Directory 96, Ensuring Accessibility of the Election Process and Recruiting Poll Workers.
2 - FEC publishes list of Presidential candidates on state ballots.
4 - U.S. appeals court upholds district court's dismissal of suits challenging Presidential debates. (Perot and Natural Law Party v. FEC and the Commission on Presidential Debates)
15 - Quarterly report due.
17 - FEC denies request to suspend public funding payments to Perot/Choate campaign.
18 - U.S. appeals court upholds district court decision invalidating regulatory definition of "express advocacy." (Maine Right to Life Committee v. FEC)
24 - Pre-general election report due.
29 - FEC releases pre-general election statistics on political party activity.
November
1 - FEC releases statistics on 1996 House and Senate campaign spending.
5 - General Election.
December
3 - FEC releases audit report on North Carolina Democratic Victory Fund (1993).
- FEC releases audit report on North Carolina Democratic Victory Fund (1995)
4 - FEC releases audit report on Massachusetts Republican State Committee.
5 - Post-general election report due.
9 - FEC releases audit report on Dan Hamburg for Congress.
10 - FEC releases audit report on Friends of Franks.
12 - FEC elects John Warren McGarry and Joan D. Aikens as 1997 Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Click here to access the chart.
This appendix briefly describes the offices within the Commission, located
at 999 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20463. The offices are listed alphabetically,
with local telephone numbers given for offices that provide services to
the public. Commission offices can also be reached toll-free on 800-424-9530
and locally on 202-219-3420. Click
here to access the list.
Summary of Disclosure Files (GIF file)
Download Divisional Statistics for Calendar
Year 1996 (PDF file)
1996-1
Filing Dates for California Special Election, 37th District (61 FR 1933,
January 24, 1996)
1996-2
11 CFR 100, 110 and 114: Candidate Debates and News Stories (staged by cable
television stations); Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (61 FR 3621, February
1, 1996)
1996-3
11 CFR 100, 104, 105, 109, 110 and 114: Document Filing Point-of-Entry Technical
Amendments; Final Rule (61 FR 3549, February 1, 1996)
1996-4
Filing Dates for Maryland Special Elections (61 FR 4666, February 7, 1996)
1996-5
11 CFR 9034 and 9038: Public Financing of Presidential Primary and General
Election Campaigns; Final Rule, Correcting Amendments and Announcement of
Effective Date (61 FR 4849, February 9, 1996)
1996-6
11 CFR 100 and 108: Point of Entry; Final Rule; Technical Amendments (61
FR 6095, February 16, 1996)
1996-7
Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Presidential Committees (61
FR 6245, February 16, 1996)
1996-8
Filing Dates for the Oregon Special Elections (61 FR 6837, February 22,
1996)
1996-9
11 CFR 100, 102, 109, 110 and 114: Corporate and Labor Organization Activity,
Express Advocacy and Coordination with Candidates; Announcement of Effective
Date (61 FR 10269, March 13, 1996)
1996-10
11 CFR 104: Electronic Filing of Reports by Political Committee; Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (61 FR 13465, March 27, 1996)
1996-11
11 CFR 110: Candidate Debates and News Stories (staged by cable television
stations); Final Rule (61 FR 18049, April 24, 1996)
1996-12
11 CFR 110: Candidate Debates and News Stories (produced by cable television
organizations); Announcement of Effective Date (61 FR 31824, June 21, 1996)
1996-13
Filing Dates for Kansas Special Election (61 FR 33508, June 27, 1996)
1996-14
11 CFR Part 110: Coordinated Party Expenditures; Technical Amendment; Final
Rule (61 FR 40961, August 7, 1996)
1996-15
Rulemaking Petition: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee; Notice of Availability (61 FR 41036, August
7, 1996)
1996-16
11 CFR Part 104: Electronic Filing of Reports by Political Committees; Final
Rules; Transmittal to Congress (61 FR 42371, August 15, 1996)
1996-17
Filing Dates for Missouri Special Election (61 FR 45426, August 29, 1996)
1996-18
Filing Dates for Texas Special Elections (61 FR 50298, September 25, 1996)
1996-19
11 CFR Part 104: Recordkeeping and Reporting by Political Committees: Best
Efforts; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (61 FR 52901, October 9, 1996)
1996-20
11 CFR Part 104: Electronic Filing of Reports by Political Committees; Interim
Rules (61 FR 58460, November 15, 1996)
1996-21
Best Efforts; Extension of Comment Period (61 FR 68688, December 30, 1996)
1996-22
Examinations and Audits; Correcting Amendments (61 FR 69020, December 31,
1996)