Defend the Vote, a voting rights advocacy group and political action committee, filed the complaint with the Federal Elections Commission Wednesday. It alleges Low’s state Assembly committee spent money on advertisements to support his federal campaign in Congressional District 16. Candidates cannot use funds from non-federal committees in a federal race unless they abide by federal regulations, such as federal contribution limits and restrictions on contributions from corporations.
The expenditures in question total $45,070, most of which has been spent on producing and dispersing a video advertisement featuring Low in the Sing Tao Daily and its radio. In the video, Low lists his achievements in the state Legislature and thanks his supporters in Assembly District 26, which he currently represents. The committee has received contributions for more than the FEC’s $3,300 maximum amount and from companies such as AirBnB and StubHub, which are not allowed in federal elections.
While there is no explicit mention of his congressional race, Defend the Vote’s complaint contends the video is “a campaign ad in a thin disguise,” citing Low’s repeated use of the phrase, “I’ve fought for you,” and other rhetoric. The complaint also points out that the ad was distributed through Sing Tao’s circulation across the congressional district and not limited to just Low’s Assembly district.
Read the full piece in the San Jose Spotlight
