LaMarche Clean Elections Appeal Reaches Supreme Court
By Associated Press
The state supreme court on Tuesday heard Green Independent candidate Pat LaMarche's expedited appeal of an ethics commission ruling that denied her extra Clean Elections funding.
The appeal focused on state rules that say outside advertising more than 21 days before an election will trigger matching funds for publicly funded candidates if the ads "expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate." |
LaMarche contends she is due more money to offset spending by the Maine Democratic Party and the Republican Governors Association for TV ads that appear to promote Democratic Gov. John Baldacci and Republican challenger Chandler Woodcock.
The court session began with six justices watching the six TV ads — two for Woodcock, four for Baldacci — on a screen in the courtroom.
The appeal focused on state rules that say outside advertising more than 21 days before an election will trigger matching funds for publicly funded candidates if the ads "expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate."
Lynne Williams, LaMarche's attorney, urged the court to use its own standard for a reasonable definition instead of deferring to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, which voted on Sept. 22 against providing extra money....
LaMarche has three new TV ads and two new radio ads that were recorded last weekend. All she needs is money to put them on the air, she said.
"I would gladly not take more money if the other guys would just play fair," said LaMarche, who attended the court session.
