CIR files suit challenging New York campaign limits

CIR filed suit on behalf of behalf of the New York Progress and Protection PAC (“NYPPP”), an independent election committee that wants to run ads in support of conservative candidates in New York, including Republican candidate Joe Lhota in New York City’s current mayoral campaign. Inexplicably, New York limits “contributions” — including spending by independent campaign committees — to $150,000 per year. The Supreme Court has consistently held that the state cannot regulate independent election speech. Every other court that has considered this question has ruled that the limits don’t apply to independent committees, and we have moved for a preliminary injunction so that NYPPP can participate in the current New York City mayoral campaign.

Photo: “MTA Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota on the Scene” by Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York licensed under CC BY 2.0.