Mark Renaud Discusses Super PAC Spending on Gubernatorial Elections

D. Mark Renaud, a partner in Wiley Rein’s Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, was interviewed by Politico for a January 5 article on Super PAC spending on state elections.

This year’s gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia may prove to be the most expensive in history, in part because of a series of court rulings that freed outside groups such as Super PACs to spend unlimited funds on advertisements supporting candidates, according to the report. Both elections have the potential to attract unprecedented amounts of money, Mr. Renaud—who advises corporations, trade associations, campaigns and political action committees on election law matters—told Politico.

“In Virginia, it’s a foregone conclusion that it’s going to be an expensive race,” he said. “In New Jersey, it really depends on who the Democratic challenger is” to Republican Governor Chris Christie. “But I think it will be a very expensive race.”

In Virginia, where Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is expected to run against former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, election rules do not limit contributions to campaigns and committees. New Jersey has strict campaign finance laws and campaign contribution limits for individuals, corporations and unions, but Super PACs may still emerge there in the coming months, Politico reported.

“I don’t know why there wouldn't be candidate-oriented Super PACs,” Mr. Renaud said.