State says Schweikert can use federal cash for governor's race
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Election officials said Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert is permitted to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars from his federal committee to his campaign for governor.
Why it matters: In deciding an unsettled area of campaign finance law in Schweikert's favor, the Secretary of State's Office approved the financial boost for his cash-strapped campaign while also giving Republican rival Andy Biggs a green light to do the same.
- And other members of Arizona's congressional delegation who might be considering runs for state office now know they can count on leftover federal funds for their campaigns.
Catch up quick: Schweikert, a seven-term U.S. House member who's seeking the Republican nomination for governor, transferred nearly $600,000 from his congressional campaign committee to his gubernatorial campaign last year.
- A Chandler woman filed campaign finance complaints with the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and Secretary of State's Office, arguing that Arizona law prohibited the use of federal campaign funds for state races.
- Arizona candidates for state office had historically operated on the assumption they couldn't use federal campaign cash. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, who ran for governor in 2002 and 2022, told Axios he was always told it was prohibited.
Driving the news: The Secretary of State's Office on Tuesday told Lisa Dearing, who filed the complaint, that it found "no reasonable cause to believe state statute was violated" by Schweikert's fund transfer.
- Clean Elections dismissed the complaint after reaching the same conclusion in March.
Between the lines: Schweikert's legal counsel told the Secretary of State's Office that it could attribute transferred contributions to individual donors, and that all complied with Arizona campaign contribution limits.
What we're watching: Biggs, a five-term House member and front-runner for the GOP nomination for governor, appears to now have the option of using money from his congressional campaign committee as well.
- As of the end of March, he had about $364,000 on hand. It's unclear how much he would be able to transfer.
- Biggs spokesperson Drew Sexton wouldn't say whether he'll transfer his federal funds but acknowledged the campaign is "aware of the Secretary of State's ruling."
The other side: Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs had nearly $7.2 million on hand as of the end of March.
What's next: The primary is July 21.