West Virginia to continue to cap contributions
August 13, 2012 ·
West Virginia will continue to cap contributions to state candidates and political party action committees.
That's the message
from election officials after a federal ruling that allows unlimited
contributions to independent PACs.
U.S. District Judge
Thomas Johnston blocked that $1,000-per-election cap last week. He says it's
very likely that the cap infringes on free speech.
Secretary of State
Natalie Tennant is West Virginia's elections chief. She has asked Johnston to
revise his ruling to ensure that it only applies to PACs that spend
independently of candidates and political parties.
One such PAC, Stay the
Course West Virginia, and two of its potential donors won last week's ruling.
Their pending lawsuit argues the cap is unconstitutional. They say they don't
object to Tennant's request.