Georgia senator Loeffler possibly violated ethics rules with campaign fundraising ask
The Republican politician appeared to solicit monetary donations from viewers while making a television appearance from a federal building.
During an appearance on Fox News, Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler asked viewers to financially support her campaign, possibly violating guidelines set by Senate ethics rules and federal law.
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As a guest on America’s Newsroom hosted by Sandra Smith, Loeffler asked for donations, claiming her Democratic opponent Rev. Raphael Warnock was receiving funding from “liberals” outside of the state. Lawmakers are prohibited from asking for campaign contributions on federal property. During the interview, she was standing in a Senate building.
The subject was introduced when Smith highlighted the out-of-state contributions earned by her opponent Rev. Raphael Warnock. Those donations are running at 80% for Warnock compared to Loeffler’s 35%.
“Look, we know that hundreds of millions of dark, liberal money is pouring into our state,” she remarked. “That’s why it’s so important that everyone across the country get involved. They can visit Kelly for Senate dot.com to chip in five or 10 bucks and get involved, [and] volunteer.”
She continued to assert the Peach State will remain Republican territory.
“We have to make sure what Georgians do is vote at the polls on Jan. 5 or before. this is our state, our election and we’re not going to let them buy it. Not California, Not New York.” Loeffler said. “We are a red state and we’re going to keep it red.”
The Democratic Party of Georgia filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee after the broadcast, requesting an investigation.
“I submit this sworn complaint regarding Senator Kelly Loeffler’s blatant violation of federal law and Senate ethics rules. While present in an official U.S. Senate building on official Senate business, Senator Loeffler made a direct plea for campaign contributions for her runoff election campaign. Using the trappings of her office to garner financial support for her own campaign is a clear violation of federal law and the ethics rules of the U.S. Senate,” read the letter.
“Senator Loeffler’s request for campaign contributions is not in any way related to her official duties as a Senator or the Senate’s official actions, and this campaign solicitation while standing in the Russell Senate Office Building Rotunda was a flagrant violation of federal law and Senate rules.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Loeffler’s proudest supporters, recently faced his own accusations of ethical violations. According to theGrio, Georgia’s secretary of state Brad Raffensperger accused the South Carolina Republican of pressuring him to illegally trash valid ballots in the 2020 election.
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Loeffler and Warnock will contend in the runoff election at the top of 2021. As per theGrio, the results of the Georgia runoffs could have a significant impact on President-elect Joe Biden’s administration. If Warnock defeats Loeffler and Jon Ossoff earns more votes than his opponent, Republican Sen. David Perdue, Democrats would gain control of the U.S. Senate due to the rule that the vice-president of the US holds the tie-breaker vote when the Senate is deadlocked. Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris would then be able to put any Democratic legislation over the top.
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