FEC approves advisory opinion

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today approved an advisory opinion and discussed an effort to speed the completion of certain open audits.

 Advisory Opinion 2018-09 (Clements for Congress). The Commission approved an advisory opinion in response to a request from Clements for Congress (the Committee), the principal campaign committee of Paul Clements, a 2018 primary candidate for Michigan’s 6th Congressional District. The Commission concluded that it is permissible for the Committee to use campaign funds to pay for legal expenses incurred in seeking to gain access to the ballot in an upcoming congressional election because the expenses would not exist irrespective of the campaign of the candidate. During the discussion, the Commission heard from the candidate.

 Disposition of Open 2014 Audits. Chair Caroline C. Hunter announced that the Commission had discussed in executive session a solution to speed the completion of audits of committees for 2014 election cycle activity. She said that the solution would benefit both the Commission and the audited committees and that more details would be forthcoming.