Matthew S. Petersen

Biography

Matthew S. Petersen was nominated to the Federal Election Commission by President George W. Bush on June 12, 2008, and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on June 24, 2008.

From 2005 until his appointment to the Commission, Mr. Petersen served as Republican chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. In this capacity, Mr. Petersen provided counsel on issues relating to federal campaign finance and election administration laws as well as the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Prior to this, Mr. Petersen served as counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration. During his tenure, Mr. Petersen was extensively involved in the crafting of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 ("HAVA") and the House-Senate negotiations that culminated in HAVA's passage. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Petersen specialized in election and campaign finance law at the law firm of Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, DC.

Mr. Petersen received his J.D. in 1999 from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in philosophy from Brigham Young University in 1996. He also received an A.S. with high honors from Utah Valley State College.

Statements and opinions

• Resignation Letter of Vice Chairman Matthew S. Petersen, August 26, 2019 (PDF)

Advisory Opinions

• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2017-12, Take Back Action Fund, December 14, 2017 (PDF)
• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2016-21, Great America PAC, January 12, 2017 (PDF)
• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2016-06, The Internet Association and The Internet Association Political Action Committee, August 2, 2016 (PDF)
• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2015-14 (Hillary for America), February 11, 2016 (PDF)
• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2014-06, Ryan for Congress, July 23, 2014 (PDF)
• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2014-04, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., June 26, 2014 (PDF)
• Statement for Advisory Opinion 2012-19 (American Future Fund) and The Hispanic Leadership Fund v. Federal Election Commission, September 20, 2012 (PDF)
• Statement for Advisory Opinion 2012-11, Free Speech, May 9, 2012 (PDF)
• Statement on Advisory Opinion 2011-23 (American Crossroads), December 1, 2011 (PDF)
• Concurring Statement for Advisory Opinion 2011-01, Robin Carnahan for Senate, March 16, 2011 (PDF)

Enforcement

• MUR 6798, David Vitter, et al., August 30, 2019
• MUR 6792, Sean Eldridge, et al., August 30, 2019
• MUR 7006, Heaney for Congress, August 30, 2019
• MUR 6848, George Demos, August 30, 2019 (PDF)
• MURs 7304 and 7331 (Hillary Victory Fund et al.), August 30, 2019 (PDF)
• MUR 6932, Hillary Rodham Clinton et al., August 30, 2019
• MUR 7416, Unknown Respondent, August 30, 2019
• MUR 7432, John James for Senate, Inc., et al., August 30, 2019
• MURs 6940, 7097, 7146, 7160 and 7193, Correct the Record, et al., August 21, 2019
• MUR 7263, Allen Lucas "Luke" Messer, et al. and Theodore "Ted" Rokita, et al., June 20, 2019
• MURs 6789 (Zinke for Congress, et al.) and 6852 (Special Operations for America, et al.), May 28, 2019
• MUR 7183, The Thornton Law Firm, et al., May 22, 2019
• MURs 6781, 6786 & 6802 (NRCC, et al.), May 22, 2019
• MUR 6928, Richard John "Rick" Santorum, et al., May 20, 2019
• MUR 6334, Aristotle International, Inc., May 16, 2019
• MUR 6596, Crossroads GPS, May 13, 2019
• MUR 6908, National Republican Congressional Committee and Keith Davis, as treasurer, American Action Network, American Crossroads and Caleb Crosby, as Treasurer, May 2, 2019
• MUR 7273 (Robert J. Ritchie p/k/a Kid Rock, et al.), November 23, 2018 (PDF)
• MURs 6969, 7031, 7034 (MMWP12 LLC, et al. and Children of Israel, LLC, et al.), September 13, 2018 (PDF)
• MURs 7135 (Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. et al.), September 6, 2018 (PDF)
• MURs 6968 (Tread Standard, et al.), 6995 (Right to Rise, et al.), and 7014, 7017, 7019, 7090 (DE First Holdings, et al.), July 2, 2018 (PDF)
• MUR 7023, Kinzler for Congress and Raj P. Thakral in his official capacity as treasurer, Illinois Families First and Kristin Kolehouse in her official capacity as treasurer, Illinois Family Action, January 23, 2018
• MUR 7161, Rodoni for Supervisor 2016, January 16, 2018
• MUR 7114, Casperson for Congress and Judi Shradski in her official capacity as treasurer, Tom Casperson, and Tom Casperson for State Senate, November 16, 2017
• MUR 6958, Senator Claire McCaskill, et al., February 28, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6494, Jeannette Schmidt, et al., February 16, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6624, Gould for Congress, February 16, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6462, Donald J. Trump, et al., February 22, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6494, Jeannette Schmidt, et al., February 16, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6624, Gould for Congress, February 16, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6540, Rick Santorum for President and Nadine Maenza in her official capacity as treasurer, et al., February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 5935, Kristin E. Gillibrand, February 16, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6137, Informed Catholic Citizens, February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6529, Gloria Negrete McLeod; Gloria Negrete McLeod for Congress and Gilbert McLeod in his official capacity as treasurer; Gloria Negrete McLeod for Senate 2010; Gloria Negrete McLeod for Supervisor 2014; Lange, Hansen, O'Malley & Miller, February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6543, Unknown Respondents, February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6976, Johnny W. Streets, Jr., City Council Committee, et al., February 14, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6863, Alison for Kentucky and Robert Stilz III; Alison Lundergan Grimes; S.R. Holding Co. Inc. d/b/a signature Special Event Services, February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6747, Rick Santorum for President, Inc. and Nadine Maenza in her official capacity as treasurer, Rick Santorum, Red White and Blue Fund, and William Dore, February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6697, League of Conservation Voters, et al., February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• MUR 6732, North Carolina Democratic Party - Federal, December 8, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6698 (United Ballot PAC, et al.), December 5, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6589R, American Action Network, October 19, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6784, Lizbeth Benacquisto, Lizbeth Benacquisto for Senate and Gary S. Splain in his official capacity as treasurer, and Lizbeth Benacquisto for Congress and Nancy H. Watkins in her official capacity as treasurer, October 4, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6974, Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America and Susan Neithamer in her official capacity as treasurer, August 8, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6952, Fox News Network, LLC, June 28, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6661, Murray Energy Corporation, Murray Energy Corporation PAC and Michael G. Ruble in his official capacity as treasurer, and Robert E. Murray, June 2, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6518, Newt Gingrich, Callista Gingrich, Newt 2012, Inc. and Lisa Lisker in her official capacity as treasurer, and Gingrich Productions, Inc., June 2, 2016 (PDF)
• MURs 6485 (W Spann LLC, et al.), 6487 & 6488 (F8, LLC, et al.), 6711 (Specialty Investments, Inc., et al.), and 6930 (SPM Holdings LLC, et al.), April 18, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6779, Joel Gilbert, Highway 61 Entertainment, LLC, and DFMRF, LLC, April 14, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6911, Lois Frankel for Congress and Janica Kyriacopoulos in her official capacity as treasurer, et al., April 12, 2016 (PDF)
• MURs 6485 (W Spann LLC, et al.), 6487 & 6488 (F8, LLC, et al.), 6711 (Specialty Investments, Inc., et al.), and 6930 (SPM Holdings LLC, et al.), April 1, 2016 (PDF)
• MURs 6470, 6482 & 6484, Free and Strong America PAC and Darrell Crate in his official capacity as treasurer, et al., March 30, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6509, Friends of Herman Cain, Inc., et al., January 19, 2016 (PDF)
• MUR 6603, Ben Chandler for Congress, et al., December 17, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6777, House Majority PAC, et al., December 17, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6801, Senate Majority PAC, et al., December 17, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6870, American Crossroads, et al., December 17, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6902, Al Franken for Senate 2014, et al., December 17, 2015 (PDF)
• MURs 6391 and 6471, Commission on Hope, Growth & Opportunity, November 6, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6678, Mindgeek S.A.R.L. f.k.a Manwin Licensing International S.A.R.L., Fabian Thylmann, Andrew Link, Froytal Services Limited, and No on Government Waste/No on Measure B-Major funding by Manwin USA, April 30, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6691, Lampson for Congress, et al., April 8, 2015 (PDF)
• MUR 6402, American Future Fund, December 23, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6729, Checks and Balances for Economic Growth, October 24, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6589, American Action Network, July 30, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6538, Americans for Job Security, et al., July 30, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6656, Anchin, Block & Anchin, LLP and Evan Snapper, April 29, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6396, Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, March 25, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6396, Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, January 8, 2014 (PDF)
• MUR 6703, WCVB-TV, Channel 5; Hearst Stations, Inc., December 19, 2013 (PDF)
• MUR 6617, Christie Vilsack, et al. and MUR 6667, Cheri Bustos, et al., December 2, 2013 (PDF)
• MUR 6621, American Hotel & Lodging Association, et al, November 19, 2013 (PDF)
• MUR 6346, Cornerstone Action, et al, September 19, 2013 (PDF)
• MUR 5878, Arizona State Democratic State Central Committee, et al, September 19, 2013 (PDF)
• MUR 6081, American Issues Project, Inc., July 25, 2013 (PDF)
• MUR 6459, Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, et al., November 1, 2012 (PDF)
• MUR 6441, Unknown Respondents, August 21, 2012 (PDF)
• MUR 6344, United Public Workers, et al., August 21, 2012 (PDF)
• MUR 5879, Harry Mitchell for Congress and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, February 28, 2012 (PDF)
• MUR 6357, American Crossroads, February 22, 2012 (PDF)
• MUR 6037, Democratic Party of Oregon, DSCC, and Jeff Merkley for Oregon, December 13, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6386, Steve Fincher for Congress, et al., September 15, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6371, Our Country Deserves Better PAC-TeaPartyExpress.org, et al., August 4, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6429, Unknown Respondents, June 23, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6399, Yoder for Congress, June 23, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6296, Kenneth R. Buck, et al., June 14, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6345, Chris Nwasike, March 28, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6348, David Schweikert for Congress, March 24, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6279, U.S. Dry Cleaning Corp. & David Vitter for U.S. Senate, January 28, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6277, Kirkland for Congress, January 28, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6211, Krikorian for Congress, January 24, 2011 (PDF)
• MUR 6225, Friends of Shurtleff, et al., December 1, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6200, Senator John Ensign, November 17, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6038, Doug Lamborn, et al., September 16, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6216, Coakley, September 8, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6207, Mark DeSaulnier, September 8, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6126, RSCC, September 8, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 5908, Hunter for President, Inc., August 23, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6002, Freedom's Watch, Inc., August 13, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6124, SEIU & SEIU COPE, August 9, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 5625, Aristotle International, Inc., May 14, 2010 (PDF)
• MURs 5712 & 5799, Senator John McCain, March 5, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 6206, BASF Corporation, January 13, 2010 (PDF)
• MUR 5996, Tim Bee for Congress, December 3, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6113, Kirby Hollingsworth, December 18, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5903, PBS&J Corporation, December 17, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5724, Jim Feldkamp for Congress, December 11, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5575, Tony Knowles for U.S. Senate Committee, July 27, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6044, Musgrove for U.S. Senate, July 9, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5835, Quest Global Research Group, Inc., July 1, 2009 (PDF)
• MURs 5957 and 6031, Committee To Elect Sekhon for Congress, June 24, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5842, Economic Freedom Fund, June 10, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5937, Romney for President, Inc., June 16, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6020, Alliance for Climate Protection, June 11, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6013, Friends of Peter Teahen, June 11, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5974, New Summit Republicans, June 2, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6056, Protect Colorado Jobs, Inc., June 2, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6096, Americans for Limited Government Research Foundation, et al, May 20, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6047, Vernon Jones for Georgia, May 20, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6020, Alliance for Climate Protection, May 11, 2009 (PDF)
• MURs 5977 and 6005, American Leadership Project, May 1, 2009 (PDF)
• MURs 6051 and 6052, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., April 30, 2009 (PDF)
• MURs 5694 and 5910, Americans for Job Security, Inc., April 27, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5974, New Summit Republicans, April 14, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5598, John Swallow for Congress, Inc., April 9, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5930, Citizens for Schuring Congressional Exploratory Committee, March 20, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6001, Orentlicher for Congress, March 18, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5964, Schock for Congress, March 17, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5945, Kieran Michael Lalor, March 11, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 6029, Missouri Republican State Committee, March 10, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5937, Romney for President Inc., March 10, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5934, Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc., March 10, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5541, The November Fund, January 22, 2009 (PDF)
• MUR 5642, George Soros, January 22, 2009 (PDF)

Policies and procedures

• Statement from the Vice Chairman and Commissioners Hunter and Goodman on the timely resolution of enforcement matters, July 16, 2015 (PDF)

Rulemaking and litigation

• Statement of Chair Caroline C. Hunter and Commissioner Matthew S. Petersen regarding CREW v. FEC, NO. 16-CV-259, September 6, 2018 (PDF)
• Statement of Commissioner Matthew S. Petersen on REG 2011-02 Internet Communication Disclaimers, June 27, 2018
• Statement of Chair Caroline C. Hunter and Commissioner Matthew S. Petersen regarding CREW v. FEC, NO. 16-CV-02255, April 26, 2018 (PDF)
• Statement of the Republican Commissioners regarding “Discussion of Commission’s Response to Alleged Foreign Interference in American Elections”, July 13, 2017 (PDF)
• Statement of Vice Chair Caroline C. Hunter and Commissioners Matthew S. Petersen and Lee E. Goodman on the Proposal "To Launch Rulemaking to ensure that U.S. Political Spending is Free From Foreign Influence", January 12, 2017 (PDF)
• Opening Statement of Vice Chairman Matthew S. Petersen Regarding The Commission's Hearing On The McCutcheon v. FEC Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, February 11, 2015 (PDF)
• Statement of Chairman Lee E. Goodman and Commissioners Caroline C. Hunter and Matthew S. Petersen Encouraging Public Comment on the Commission's Treatment of Online Political Activity, October 29, 2014 (PDF)
• Statement on Commission's Vote to Authorize Defense in Public Citizen v. FEC, April 10, 2014 (PDF)
• Statement Regarding Van Hollen v. FEC, April 27, 2012 (PDF)
• Statement Regarding Citizens United Rulemaking, June 15, 2011 (PDF)
• Statement Regarding Citizens United Rulemaking, January 20, 2011 (PDF)
• Statement Regarding Emily's List v. FEC, October 22, 2009 (PDF)

Media and appearances

• Statement of Chairman Matthew S. Petersen on the Passing of Senator Robert Bennett, May 5, 2016 (PDF)