The Federal Election Commission is demanding that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s reelection campaign explain or return nearly $1 million in campaign contributions that appear to violate federal law.
U.S. law bars individuals from giving more than $3,300 to a candidate’s election committee, and the Nov. 3 FEC letter raises concerns that nearly 200 third-quarter contributors to the Texas Republican’s campaign exceeded that limit — some by thousands of dollars. The letter includes a 97-page list of donations to Ted Cruz for Senate that blow past that ceiling.
Cruz’s campaign was unavailable Monday for immediate comment on the letter.
The federal inquiry comes as Cruz faces scrutiny over a controversial deal to distribute his podcast which has so far pumped hundreds of thousands in corporate dollars into a super PAC focused on his reelection. Watchdog groups filed at least two FEC complaints arguing the senator’s syndication deal with San Antonio-based media group iHeartMedia breaks federal campaign finance laws.
The FEC’s Nov. 3 letter also follows a similar letter the agency sent the Cruz campaign on Aug. 7 raising questions about 45 donations made during the second quarter of this year in excess of federal limits.
Cruz’s tight race against U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a North Texas Democrat, has been among the priciest in the Senate this election cycle, according to nonpartisan government transparency group Open Secrets. The candidates’ campaigns and outside groups have pumped a combined $205.5 million into the contest.
It’s not uncommon for the FEC to send letters to campaigns flagging contributions that exceed federal campaign contribution limits. However, observers said the sheer scope of the agency’s latest letter to the Cruz camp is noteworthy — especially in light of other concerns raised about its fundraising.
“Yet again, Ted Cruz is playing fast and loose with campaign finance laws because he believes rules don’t apply to him,” said Jonas Edwards-Jenks, communications director of End Citizens United, one of the watchdogs that filed a federal complaint over Cruz’s podcast deal.
The latest FEC letter gives Cruz’s campaign until Dec. 9 of this year to either refund all the donations included in its list or offer a detailed explanation for them. Failure to meet the deadline could prompt an audit or enforcement action, regulators warned.
“If you have not already done so, please inform the Commission of your corrective action immediately in writing and provide photocopies of any refund checks and/or letters reattributing or redesignating the contributions in question,” the letter states.
The Current’s Adam Doe contributed to this report.
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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.
