WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) — Federal Election Commission attorneys said politicians can be bound by fundraising restrictions even if they’re not declared candidates, but are simply “testing the waters” for a possible run.
In a draft legal opinion, FEC lawyers said some of the aggressive fundraising tactics used this campaign season by so-called super PACs and the candidates should not be allowed under federal law. A politician must abide by fundraising restrictions even if a super PAC or another organization is being used as a proxy to raise money, attorneys said.
The draft opinion did not review any particular candidate but said the issue of politicians’ use of “testing the waters” without declaring candidacy was widespread earlier this year. Campaign watchdog groups contend several presidential hopefuls, including Republicans Jeb Bush, Rick Santorum and Scott Walker and Democrat Martin O’Malley, raised millions through outside groups before declariing their candidacy.
The FEC, made up of three Republicans and three Democrats, will review the legal opinion Thursday to consider adopting the findings.
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.