Raffensperger sues over fundraising rules, says opponent has unfair advantage

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is the latest Republican gubernatorial candidate to raise concerns over campaign finance rules which allow one of his opponents, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, more access and flexibility to campaign funds.

Safe Affordable Georgia filed a lawsuit Monday asking an Atlanta federal court judge to allow Raffensperger’s political action committee to work with his gubernatorial campaign in the same way that Jones’ leadership committee can, according to the Associated Press. Safe Affordable Georgia is an independent committee set up by Raffensperger.

“This filing simply asks the court to ensure fairness so that our committee has the same ability to communicate with voters as others already do,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “Equal access to speech isn’t political or complicated — it’s a foundational American principle that must be upheld.”

Georgia’s 2021 leadership committee law allows leadership committees of the governor and lieutenant governor to raise unlimited funds, even during the legislative session, and coordinate with candidates. Critics view the law as protecting incumbents to maintain control of state politics, according to the Associated Press.

A candidate must win their party’s nomination for governor or lieutenant governor before it can establish a leadership committee. They are limited to raising a maximum of $8,400 per donor.

Because Safe Affordable Georgia is an independent committee, it can raise unlimited funds, but Raffensperger does not have access to them. Similarly, supporters of Republican Attorney General Chris Carr have established an independent committee.

Carr filed a similar lawsuit that was dismissed in August. U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert said Carr should have challenged the constitutionality of the Georgia law instead of the actions of Jones’ campaign. 

Carr has reported nearly $3.5 million in contributions to the Georgia Ethics Commission. Raffensperger and Jones have not reported any contributions that are documented in the Georgia Campaign Finance System. Jones entered the race in July, lending himself $10 million.