PUEBLO, Colo.—A Republican who lost a primary bid for Congress last month says he’s not done fighting, now challenging federal elections officials.
Bob McConnell lost the Aug. 10 GOP primary in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to Republican state Rep. Scott Tipton. More than a week later, the Federal Election Commission asked McConnell to elaborate on donors to his campaign.
McConnell tells The Pueblo Chieftain newspaper that he won’t comply. He calls the FEC request “the hill I’m willing to die on.”
“I’m going to be a trendsetter,” McConnell told the paper.
McConnell, a conservative from Steamboat Springs, was endorsed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and courted tea party supporters. But McConnell lost to Tipton 56 percent to 44 percent. Tipton faces Democratic Rep. John Salazar in November.
The FEC asked McConnell on Aug. 19 to elaborate on five donors who are listed as “self-employed.” McConnell has until Thursday to reveal this information, but said he already has sent a letter informing the FEC he will not comply further with its request.
“This is my first act of civil disobedience,” McConnell said.
Despite fines and other problems his stance could cause, McConnell said he will hold firm to his pledge.
“I’m not going to give in,” he said. “I complied with the statute. I provided names and addresses of people who said they were self-employed.
“I find it irksome that some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., objects to someone being self-employed. I refuse to follow their regulations.”
The FEC enforces federal campaign finance laws.
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Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain,
