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Ad Watch: Democratic Party says Gilmore ad violated campaign-finance laws

Chris Graham

Item by Chris Graham
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A complaint filed last week by the Democratic Party of Virginia charges that a recent Jim Gilmore TV ad violated campaign-finance laws by failing to show voters in writing that he personally authorized the ad, a requirement under federal “Stand by Your Ad” rules.

“Jim Gilmore should have to play by the same rules as the rest of us,” said Jared Leopold, the communications director for the Democratic Party of Virginia Coordinated Campaign. “Given the preposterous claims in Gilmore’s ad, it’s no wonder he doesn’t want his own name attached to it. We’re asking television stations around the commonwealth to uphold the law and hold Gilmore accountable.”

The ad, titled “Principled,” included a string of negative attacks on Democrat Mark Warner on fiscal issues including Warner’s support of a bipartisan tax increase in 2004.

The complaint from the Democratic Party could lead to a finding under federal law that the Gilmore campaign would forfeit the right to have access to the “lowest unit charge” for TV ads for the duration of the ’08 campaign.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNTVbvIxems]

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].