Eddy illegally solicited campaign cash for a super PAC set up solely to benefit his campaign
Defend The Vote, one of the nation’s leading pro-democracy organizations, has filed an FEC complaint calling for an investigation into congressional candidate Christopher Eddy.
Eddy violated anti-corruption laws by illegally soliciting unlimited campaign donations for a super PAC set up entirely to benefit his campaign. Further, Eddy and his campaign likely again broke the law by coordinating with the super PAC, United for Common Sense, which has made illegal in-kind donations to Eddy through campaign advertisements.
“These anti-corruption laws are in place to prevent candidates from selling their influence to the highest bidder,” DTV Executive Director Brian Lemek said. “In this case, the evidence is in writing and clear as day—Christopher Eddy broke these laws and betrayed the trust of Florida voters. The FEC must investigate and hold him accountable.”
The Facts:
Illegal Solicitation of Campaign Cash
- During the spring and summer of 2024, Eddy for Congress advertised a series of fundraisers on its official campaign website and social media pages, noting the invitations were paid for by Eddy’s campaign.
- The invitations indicated that checks ranging from $200 to $3,300 or more should be made out to Eddy’s campaign committee, “Eddy for Congress.” A separate category of “Diamond Donors,” whose contributions were to exceed $6,601, were instructed to make payments to “United for Common Sense.”
- While super PACs such as United for Common Sense can accept unlimited contributions, anti-corruption laws bar federal candidates like Eddy from soliciting funds greater than $5,000 for these PACs.
- Accordingly, Eddy is in clear violation of the law.
Illegal Coordination and In Kind Contributions
- One hundred percent of United for Common Sense’s reported independent expenditures to date have been in support of Mr. Eddy’s candidacy.
- Until last month, Michael Millner served as treasurer of both United for Common Sense and Eddy for Congress.
- Campaign reports indicate that both Eddy’s campaign and the Super PAC employed the same marketing firm, SJD Media & Marketing. SJD Media & Marketing is listed as a vendor who was paid for “Advertising” supporting Mr. Eddy.
- It is illegal for a Super PAC to run advertisements that expressly advocate for a candidate if it shares a common vendor that conveys nonpublic information about the candidate’s plans, projects, activities, or needs from the campaign to the super PAC.
- The shared vendors and record of expenditures indicate that UCS made, and Mr. Eddy and Eddy for Congress received, illegal and excessive in-kind contributions in the form of coordinated communications.
