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Harmon’s campaign finance committee faced a nearly $10 million
fine for violating campaign finance law by accepting donations
in excess of state limits. Records indicate he personally
contributed more than $100,000 to his campaign committee in
January 2023, having the effect of lifting contribution limits
for others to donate, but took campaign contributions in excess
of limits the following election cycle.
Board members were deadlocked on whether to assess the fines
against Harmon’s committee last month.
Tuesday, board Chair Laura Donahue said another stalemate on an
appeal doesn’t address how to interpret the law.
“What does the board do, we’re in kind of a limbo,” Donahue
said. “We won’t have any direction because we’ve had
recommendations from a hearing officer, our general counsel and
we don’t know what an election cycle is defined, and I think it
will be incumbent upon the legislature to either give us that,
or the court or somewhere.”
Harmon’s committee had argued the notice of self-funding should
be based on the office's election cycle, not the day of the next
general election cycle as some Senate terms can be four and six
years. Harmon is up for reelection in 2026.
Board member Jack Vrett addressed the nearly $10 million fine
the board decided to drop.
“I believe that consistency is important and that we ought to
treat this committee the same as we have treated any other
committee that comes before us with these types of fines,” Vrett
said. “If we think that the penalty is extreme then we would
address that in a settlement aspect. Otherwise, comply with the
statute.”
Before Tuesday’s hearing, The Liberty Justice Center, which has
already filed to intervene in the case, said if the board
deadlocks again, they’re stepping in.
“The courts can decide whether members broke state law or compel
them to act,” the group said on their social media.
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