A political action committee created to block Hillary Rodham Clinton’s path to the White House has been ordered by the Federal Election Commission to stop using the Democrat’s name — or else.
Stop Hillary PAC has until June 1 to decide if it will fight the FEC, a battle others in similar situations have tried and failed at.
“Your committee’s name includes the name of a candidate; however, your committee does not appear to be an authorized committee of that candidate,” said the FEC letter sent to Dan Backer, treasurer of Stop Hillary PAC.
AP Photo
The PAC sent out an email to supporters this week asking for advice on what to do and money to put up a fight.
“You may ask what is our crime? Well, we had the audacity to use ‘Hillary’ — Mrs. Clinton’s precious, but rather common first name — in naming our organization to oppose her ‘Stop Hillary PAC,'” said the email.
The committee is known for its video of Clinton taking the oath of office as the names of past family scandals flash.
The group said that the FEC is in Clinton’s pocket, but the same letter has been sent to Democratic groups in the past and is fairly common.
For example, it has been used to make a PAC change its name from “Team Pelosi” to “Team Majority.” And groups using Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., have also been told to adjust or change their name.
Stop Hillary PAC makes the case the “Hillary” is a common name, but one expert said that it is clear which “Hillary” the group means. A photo of Clinton is used on their website.
But they might still have a case. Typically, the FEC targets groups that are trying to piggyback off candidates in a way that supports those candidates. “Draft” groups are typical, for example.
In the case of Stop Hillary PAC, it is clear they are fighting Clinton.
Below is the key paragraph from the FEC letter, sent April 27:
Your committee’s name includes the name of a candidate; however, your committee does not appear to be an authorized committee of that candidate. If your committee is authorized by a candidate, please amend your Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) and choose the correct “Type of Committee.” Otherwise, you must amend your Statement of Organization to change the name of your political committee so that it does not include the candidate’s name and/or provide further clarification regarding the nature of your committee. (52 U.S.C. §30102(e)(4) (formerly 2 U.S.C. §432(e)(4)) and 11 CFR § 102.14)
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
