Watchdog group accuses Ron DeSantis of breaking campaign finance law
WASHINGTON (AP) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing allegations of breaking campaign finance law. The nonpartisan government watchdog group, Campaign Legal Center, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Monday, claiming that DeSantis illegally communicated about TV spending decisions with Never Back Down, a big-dollar super PAC supporting his bid for the White House. The complaint points to recent reporting by The Associated Press and others to support their claim.
According to Campaign Legal Center, the level of coordination and communication between DeSantis’ campaign and Never Back Down crossed a legal line set by the Supreme Court over a decade ago. The complaint argues that when a super PAC illegally coordinates its spending with a candidate’s campaign, it effectively becomes an extension of the campaign. This circumvents contribution limits and reporting requirements, granting special interest backers, including corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals, an alarming level of influence over elected officials and policymaking.
Saurav Ghosh, the director of federal campaign finance reform at Campaign Legal Center, stated, When a super PAC like Never Back Down illegally coordinates its election spending with a candidate’s campaign, the super PAC effectively becomes an arm of the campaign.
DeSantis’ spokesman, Andrew Romeo, quickly dismissed the complaint as baseless and rooted in unverified rumors and innuendo. Romeo criticized it as another example of attempts by the Left to impede DeSantis’ progress, adding, The Left is terrified of Ron DeSantis and will stoop to anything to stop him.
The complaint comes at a time of internal turmoil within DeSantis’ political operation as he faces low polling numbers ahead of the Iowa caucuses next month. Departures of top-level strategists from Never Back Down have been publicly aired, adding to the upheaval.
Recent reporting by the AP revealed that DeSantis and his wife, Casey, expressed concerns about the messaging of Never Back Down, the largest super PAC supporting the governor’s campaign. In particular, they were unhappy about an advertisement that criticized one of DeSantis’ Republican rivals, Nikki Haley, for her past actions as governor of South Carolina. Members of Never Back Down’s board, including Florida-based individuals with close connections to DeSantis, were informed of the couple’s concerns, which were then relayed to the super PAC staff responsible for executing strategies.
The DeSantis campaign has denied attempting to influence outside groups supporting his candidacy, citing federal laws prohibiting coordination.
However, immediate consequences for DeSantis seem unlikely. The Federal Election Commission typically takes years to resolve complaints, and the board often reaches a deadlock on campaign finance enforcement matters. When a deadlock occurs, it effectively establishes a new precedent that sanctions the activity addressed in the complaint.
As the allegations against DeSantis unfold, the coming months will reveal whether the accusation of breaking campaign finance law has any impact on his bid for the White House. For now, the governor’s team remains defiant, dismissing the complaint as an attempt to hinder DeSantis’ momentum.
