Center for Competitive Politics

News Center

Have a question or issue in campaign law? Contact us and we'll try to answer you. Enter your e-mail below:

Home » News Center

News Center

CCP submits comments for FEC hearing

Posted On January 6, 2009
by Jeff Patch

The Center for Competitive Politics has submitted comments to the Federal Election Commission in advance of a wide-ranging hearing on agency policies and procedures. The FEC invited the comments for the Jan. 14 public hearing on the commission's compliance and enforcement practice.

A link to CCP's comments by Legal Director Reid Cox is below:

First Amendment group criticizes 'pay-to-play' decision

Posted On December 19, 2008

Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) President Sean Parnell criticized the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut decision on a challenge to so-called "pay-to-play" legislation in Connecticut.

"The U.S. District Court today unfortunately found that some are, in fact, less equal than others when it comes to enjoying the full protections of the First Amendment," Parnell said. "In limiting the free speech rights of those who make a living representing the interests of the Nutmeg State's citizens before their government as well as those who agree to provide services or goods to the government, the court has turned on its head the idea that every American citizen has equal rights under the law."

To read the full release click here.

Appeals court upholds First Amendment protection for petition freedom

Posted On December 19, 2008
by Jeff Patch

Oklahomans and the First Amendment won a significant legal victory as a federal appeals court struck down an Oklahoma law restricting the circulation of ballot or candidate petitions to state residents.

Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) Vice President Stephen Hoersting served as co-counsel to the plaintiff in the case, Yes on Term Limits, along with attorney Todd Graves, a partner with Graves Bartle & Marcus in Kansas City, Missouri. CCP is a nonprofit organization which advocates for First Amendment-protected rights of speech, assembly, and petition.

"The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld important constitutional rights for Oklahomans, and we applaud their decision," said CCP Vice President Stephen Hoersting. "The Center for Competitive Politics now calls upon Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmonson to do the right thing and stop his prosecutions of those who engaged in this First Amendment-protected political activity."

To read the entire release, click here.

First Amendment advocacy group submits testimony on Citizens Election Program

Posted On December 4, 2008
by Jeff Patch

The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) submitted a statement to the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission in advance of Friday's hearing on the state's program of taxpayer-funded political campaigns, officially known as the Citizens Election Program. The testimony by CCP President Sean Parnell features research and analysis weighing the impact of Connecticut's experience in the 2008 election cycle, the first in which it was implemented.

To read the entire release click the headline above

First Amendment advocacy group adds new communications manager

Posted On December 1, 2008
by Jeff Patch

The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) has hired Jeff Patch as its communications manager.

For the full press release click the following link: release

Wisconsin Steps Away from Speech Suppression

Posted On November 3, 2008

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals rejected Judge Thomas Lister's outrageous restraining order suppressing a radio advertisement criticizing a candidate for state legislature. Following is Center for Competitive Politics President Sean Parnell's statement:

"Today's reversal of Judge Lister's unconscionable ruling is a victory for all Americans who believe that free people have the right to speak out on candidates and issues without government censorship. The voters, not government, should be the only ones to determine whether a political statement is true or false."

"Wisconsin took a small step back from direct government censorship of political speech today, but so long as these laws remain on the books, citizens of the Badger State remain threatened by the possibility that they could face jail time for criticizing candidates for office. The First Amendment remains on shaky ground in Wisconsin."

A link to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision is here: http://media.jsonline.com/documents/2008ap2703.pdf

Study undermines key claims about “Clean Elections”

Posted On August 6, 2008

The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) released a study today that undermines claims about the ability of "Clean Elections" to reduce the importance of interest groups in the political process.

CCP research also found that perceptions about what motivates an elected official's vote have little to do with how a candidate's campaign is financed.

"Members of organized interest groups remain instrumental in providing support to candidates participating in these taxpayer-funded political campaign schemes," said CCP President Sean Parnell. "Moreover, replacing private, voluntary contributions with taxpayer dollars had little impact on the public's perception of whether or not their elected officials are responsive to constituent needs."

More after the jump.

District Court Denial of Preliminary Injunction Request Leaves SpeechNow.org Silenced

Posted On July 1, 2008

A federal judge today denied a preliminary injunction request by SpeechNow.org, effectively silencing the citizen group in the midst of the 2008 election season.

SpeechNow.org is an independent group of citizens formed to protect the First Amendment at the ballot box. The group is challenging federal campaign finance laws that say that any time two or more people pool their resources to support or oppose a federal candidate, they become a "political committee" subject to government limits-$5,000 per supporter per year-and bureaucratic red tape.

SpeechNow.org asked for a preliminary injunction so that it could begin its political advocacy immediately and without fear of legal penalties from the Federal Election Commission as the case proceeds. Accepting or spending just $1,000 on speech opposing candidates would trigger those penalties-so the group has remained silent.

More after the jump.

Supreme Court overturns Millionaire's Amendment

Posted On June 26, 2008

The Supreme Court overturned the so-called Millionaire's Amendment provision of the "McCain-Feingold" campaign finance law in a decision issued by the court today.

"The First Amendment secured an important victory today," said Bradley A. Smith, chairman of the Center for Competitive Politics, which filed an amicus brief in the case. "The Court reaffirmed that Congress cannot use campaign finance regulations to ‘level the playing field.'"

More after the jump