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Federal Election Commission | United States of America
  • Press Release

James E. Trainor III sworn in as Commissioner

June 5, 2020

WASHINGTON—James E. Trainor III was sworn in today as a member of the Federal Election Commission.

Commissioner Trainor was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on May 19, 2020. He was appointed to a term ending April 30 2023, and replaces Commissioner Matthew S. Petersen, who departed the agency on August 31, 2019.

“We welcome Trey to the Commission and look forward to working with him. His extensive practical experience working with candidates and committees will be very valuable to the Commission,” said Chair Caroline C. Hunter, who noted that the Commission would hold the first open meeting with its reconstituted quorum in a teleconference scheduled for June 18, 2020.

Commissioner Trainor, of Driftwood, Texas, has practiced law for two decades, particularly in the areas of election law, campaign finance law and ethics. He has served as General Counsel to the Texas Secretary of State and Counsel to the Texas House Committee on Regulated Industries, and has represented the Texas Republican Party and two presidential campaigns. Commissioner Trainor has also served on the Advisory Board of the United States Election Assistance Commission.

Commissioner Trainor graduated from Texas A&M University (Corps of Cadets member) in 1997. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves in 2000 and earned his law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law in 2002.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

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This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.