Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has gone to court to challenge a state official's ruling that Pearce can't use all of his federal campaign war chest of approximately $1 million in the New Mexico race for governor.
A suit filed by Pearce in federal court Thursday challenges Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's decision that Pearce's use of his federal campaign cash is subject to a $5,500 contribution limit.
Toulouse Oliver is a Democrat, and Pearce contends that her decision is politically motivated and that he has a First Amendment right to use his federal campaign cash in the state race.
Deputy Secretary of State John Blair told Pearce in a letter that the decision that the $5,500 limit applies is based on a review of state campaign laws and a 1996 court decision.
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Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce is going to court to challenge a state official's ruling that Pearce can't use all of his federal campaign war chest of approximately $1 million in the New Mexico race for governor.
The Albuquerque Journal (https://goo.gl/b3RGDx ) reports that Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver decided that Pearce's use of his federal campaign cash is subject to a $5,500 contribution limit.
Toulouse Oliver is a Democrat, and Pearce contends that her decision is politically motivated and that he has a First Amendment right to use his federal campaign cash in the state race.
Deputy Secretary of State John Blair told Pearce in a letter that the decision that the $5,500 limit applies is based on a review of state campaign laws and a 1996 court decision.