To: SDEC Members, County Chairs
From: Boyd Richie
Date: November 16, 2006
Re: TDP's Support of Ciro Rodriguez
Because I've received many calls & emails on this topic, I wanted to let you know what the TDP is doing to support Ciro Rodriguez in the run-off in CD-23.
I assure you the TDP will do everything possible to help Ciro win this election and increase the Democratic majority in congress. However, I want you all to be aware of the limitations put in place by the Federal Elections Committee (FEC).
Because Ciro is a federal candidate, the TDP and all political committees & groups are limited in how they can directly support his campaign by federal election law, specifically, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
Federal election laws limit the amount of money the TDP can contribution to Ciro's campaign to $5,000 - half of which will be used as an in-kind contribution for use of our online voter file (VAN). The other half will be used to send our Deputy Communications Director to the campaign to organize an aggressive communications plan in both English and Spanish media outlets.
FEC regulations prohibit state parties from making contributions to county parties or third party groups for use in federal election activity. Since this run-off involves a seat for US Congress, all activity is considered federal election activity and is regulated by the FEC. Translation, we cannot legally make a contribution to a county party or third party group in this runoff election.
Additionally, through the State Partnership Program with the DNC, the TDP will assign regional field staff to the campaign to assist with field operations and to support our county chairs in the 23rd congressional district.
The TDP is committed to doing everything we can to send Ciro back to Washington, DC. If you have any questions, please call me or Ruben Hernandez, TDP's Executive Director, at (512) 478-9800.
