Vermont Democratic Party

For Immediate Release
February 23, 2012
Contact: Jesse Bragg

VDP Chair Speaks About Election Law Violation by “Campaign for Vermont”

Montpelier, VT – This morning, Vermont Democratic Party Chair Jake Perkinson held a press conference to describe a potential election law violation committed by Bruce Lisman and the organization he calls “Campaign for Vermont.”  Lisman’s organization released a radio advertisement with a likely expenditure of more than $500 (based upon widely known production and broadcast costs in the state of Vermont) explicitly advocating for a specific election outcome in the 2012 gubernatorial election.  The Vermont Democratic Party filed a formal complaint with Vermont Attorney General, asking the Attorney General’s office to investigate “Campaign for Vermont” and its advertisement.

“The complaint is in response to a Campaign for Vermont advertisement aired on and around February 6, 2012 on a number of Vermont radio stations, constituting a likely expenditure greater than $500.  The content of Campaign for Vermont’s ad is a clear attempt to influence the outcome of the upcoming gubernatorial contest in 2012,” said Vermont Democratic Party Chair Jake Perkinson.  “Campaign for Vermont’s failure to register as a political committee violates Title 17, Section 2831 of the Vermont State Statutes.  The Vermont Democratic Party has asked that the Vermont Attorney General investigate Campaign for Vermont’s advertisement to make a determination about this potential violation of state law, and impose the appropriate penalties if Campaign for Vermont has indeed violated state election law.”

Chairman Perkinson stated, “our Democracy is being assaulted by the influx of gross amounts of money from corporations, private organizations and individuals designed to unfairly impact and influence the choices made by ordinary citizens in the voting booth as well as their elected representatives.  It is critical that we ensure that the few protections left to us to protect our right to make free and informed choices as citizens are vigorously enforced.”

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see complaint letter here