Friday, February 7, 2025

WEC dismisses complaint against Community for All

Posted

A Wisconsin Ethics Commission complaint filed against a group called A Community for All has been dismissed, according to a copy of the dismissal. 

The WEC dismissed the complaint following a closed session in December, according to the document. A citizen named Vada Perkins brought the complaint nearly one year ago, claiming that the group’s activities, which included organizing a fundraiser for then-Mayor Katie Rosenberg’s campaign and putting together endorsement lists of candidates that aligned with CFA’s values, made them either a Political Action Committee or an Independent Expenditure Committee. As such, the complaint argued, they should have been required to register as such and report finances. 

CFA organizers in response said it was a group of individuals who spent their own money, and any donations made by individuals were reported on the appropriate candidates' campaign finance reports. The organization didn’t collect any money, the group argued, and had no bank account of its own. 

The WEC largely agreed with CFA’s arguments, saying the group didn’t meet the threshold of either a PAC and IEC, which has a $2,500 spending threshold. 

“CFA is pleased that the WEC dismissed the complaint,” CFA member Christine Salm said in a statement. “We believe that the Republican Party Law firm along with local Republican Party activists filed the complaint purely to intimidate and silence CFA. We look forward to continuing to advocate for a more inclusive and welcoming community.”

But Perkins’ attorney, Lana Ruhland, hinted that further action might come from the complaint. 

“True grassroots groups should be fully protected by the First Amendment but overtly partisan groups must be accountable to our campaign finance laws,” Ruhland said in a statement. “There cannot be a loophole where groups can effectively operate as a PAC in supporting candidates, hosting fundraisers and engaging in express advocacy without abiding by these laws. Groups cannot skirt these requirements when they’ve so blurred the lines between advocacy and partisan politics. My client will carefully review all available avenues.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here