MARYLAND News (6/13/2024) – Yesterday, Americans for Public Trust (APT) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Angela Alsobrooks (D), a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maryland. The complaint alleges that Alsobrooks used funds from her state-level campaign committee, “Friends of Angela Alsobrooks,” to finance her federal campaign, a potential violation of federal election laws.
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APT’s complaint centers on disbursements made by Alsobrooks’ state campaign committee after she announced her Senate candidacy in May 2023. The complaint specifically points to over $69,000 spent on fundraising consulting while raising only $560 in total donations for her state campaign in 2023. These expenditures raise questions about whether state campaign funds were improperly used to support her federal campaign.
Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of APT, stated, “It’s illegal for a candidate to use pre-existing state campaign funds to jumpstart their race for federal office. Publicly available information suggests this is precisely what Ms. Alsobrooks did, and a pattern of payments like this absolutely warrants an FEC investigation.”
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Alsobrooks, who serves as the County Executive of Prince George’s County, announced her bid for the U.S. Senate on May 9, 2023. She filed a Statement of Organization for her Senate campaign committee on the same day. Despite this, her federal campaign did not report any fundraising disbursements until June 30, 2023, even though substantial amounts were raised for her Senate bid.
According to APT’s complaint, Alsobrooks held at least seven federal fundraising events between May and June 2023, including an EMILY’s List event in New York City and a private gathering hosted by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Despite these events, significant fundraising expenses appeared only in her state campaign committee’s reports.
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The complaint highlights several payments made to Rice Consulting, identified as a top fundraising firm for Democrats in Maryland. Nearly $18,000 in disbursements were recorded from June to October 2023, after Alsobrooks had declared her Senate candidacy. The absence of corresponding federal campaign expenditures during this period raises concerns about the potential misuse of state funds.
Federal election law strictly prohibits the use of state campaign funds for federal races. Under 52 U.S.C. § 30125(e)(1) and 11 C.F.R. § 300.61, candidates for federal office are barred from spending non-federal funds on their campaigns unless those funds comply with federal limits and reporting requirements.
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The FEC will now review the complaint and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to launch a formal investigation. If found in violation, Alsobrooks could face penalties, including fines and restrictions on future campaign activities.
Angela Alsobrooks’ campaign issued a public response denying the accusations of the complaint as featured in Politico. The outcome of the FEC’s review will be closely watched as it may set a precedent for how state campaign funds can be utilized in federal races.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors.
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