WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rebecca Bennett likely has some explaining to do,.
The New Jersey Republican State Committee is asking the Federal Election Commission to investigate the Democrat challenging Congressman Tom Kean Jr., alleging that her campaign’s joint fundraising operation with House Majority PAC crossed the line into impermissible campaign advertising.
At issue: $1,055,300 in television advertising booked through the Bennett House Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee combining Bennett’s campaign and the Democratic super PAC.
According to the complaint, signed by NJGOP Executive Director Luke Ferrante and dated October 5th, the advertising was scheduled to run in the New York market from September 29th through October 12th. Republicans describe the spots as opposing Kean.
The legal question concerns how that advertising was financed.
The FEC’s 2024 Team Graham advisory opinion permitted a candidate’s campaign to participate in joint fundraising with a super PAC under specific conditions, including compliance with federal fundraising restrictions and safeguards against prohibited coordination. It also required participants to pay their properly allocated fundraising expenses.
Republicans argue that Bennett’s operation went beyond the fundraising solicitations, invitations and event announcements contemplated by that opinion. They also question whether House Majority PAC is covering expenses properly attributable to Bennett’s campaign, potentially creating an illegal in-kind contribution.
“Broadcast advertising extends well beyond the event-related fundraising activities the Commission blessed in the Team Graham Advisory Opinion,” the complaint states.
The complaint acknowledges that forming a joint fundraising committee with a super PAC is itself legal. It asks the FEC to investigate whether this committee’s advertising and expense allocation violated federal requirements.
Bennett’s public answer so far? According to the New Jersey Globe, she responded to questions during a Friday appearance with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries by emphasizing her rejection of corporate PAC donations.
“I’m not taking a single dollar of corporate PAC money,” Bennett said, the Globe reported.
That answer leaves the central question unresolved.
The complaint challenges how a seven-figure advertising buy was financed through her campaign’s partnership with a super PAC. Repeating a pledge about corporate PAC checks doesn’t explain who paid which share of those television ads.
Critics say Bennett could start by providing the allocation agreement and a clear accounting of the spending.
