Rep. Joe Kennedy III’s campaign said it used $1.5 million worth of donations for the general election improperly during the last weeks of the Massachusetts Democratic primary, which he lost to Sen. Ed Markey.
Kennedy said he didn’t know the campaign had used the funds. After the alleged violation was brought to his attention, Kennedy reimbursed the campaign with his own money.
According to campaign finance laws, candidates are not allowed to use funds for the general election on the primary.
“After an internal review, I believe it was an honest mistake by those involved, resulting from misinformation, not malintent,” Kennedy told the Boston Globe. “But as the candidate, I take full responsibility for the error that occurred and have worked to rectify it as expeditiously as possible.”
Kennedy said the campaign self-reported the violation to the Federal Election Commission earlier in October.
“I apologize for — and deeply regret — the error and believe that strict transparency and accountability in campaign finance are the cornerstone of fair elections,” said Kennedy. “I have taken these rules seriously my entire career and remain as committed as ever to the cause of electoral integrity — particularly at this moment in time.”
Blame for the violation fell on campaign manager Nick Clemons and the treasurer, Gemma Martin. The campaign said that Clemons and Martin thought they could use the general election funds if they were repaid after the primary. Both Clemons and Martin have left the Kennedy campaign.
According to FEC rules, campaigns that fail to advance beyond the primary must return funds to donors by Nov. 1. The Kennedy campaign told the Boston Globe that all funds have already been returned to donors, well ahead of the FEC deadline.
“All current obligations to staff, donors, vendors, and creditors have been met. Any remaining campaign expenses this year will be fully paid,” Kennedy said.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Kennedy campaign for comment.
