Politics
James Talarico files FEC complaint alleging Ken Paxton violated dark money rules in Texas Senate race
The complaint alleges Paxton's campaign treasurer used an undisclosed Virginia nonprofit to route over $1 million to a supportive super PAC.
The short version
- Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico filed an FEC complaint accusing Republican nominee Ken Paxton and his treasurer of illegally channeling dark money to a super PAC.
- Corporate filings show Paxton's campaign treasurer incorporated Preserve Texas, Inc., a nonprofit that donated over $1 million to the pro-Paxton PAC Lone Star Liberty.
- Preserve Texas and Lone Star Liberty stated they comply with all laws, arguing the treasurer's role is purely administrative.
- The FEC is unlikely to act before Election Day because it currently lacks the quorum required to vote on opening investigations.
Key facts
- Democratic candidate James Talarico's campaign filed a complaint with the FEC alleging Republican nominee Ken Paxton and his campaign treasurer, John Plishka, violated federal campaign finance laws.[CBS News]
- Plishka incorporated Preserve Texas, Inc., a Virginia nonprofit that sent over $1 million across four checks to pro-Paxton super PAC Lone Star Liberty.[CBS News]
- Federal rules prohibit candidates and their agents from establishing, financing, maintaining, or controlling entities that raise or spend funds outside federal contribution limits.[CBS News]
- Preserve Texas stated it operates independently as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization and that Plishka's role was strictly limited to administrative and back-office support.[CBS News]
- The FEC is unlikely to launch an inquiry before Election Day due to a lack of sufficient seated commissioners to vote on new investigations.[CBS News]