Also known as: PACs · Political Action Committee
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An organization formed to raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates or to influence legislation.
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Prism Analytics retained Pavel Petrov to handle regulatory filings with a state agency. Petrov formed a PAC and directed substantial contributions to the incumbent governor's reelection campaign. The agency later awarded the firm the engagement after reviewing bids from several competitors.
Platinum Partners established a PAC to produce television ads supporting a federal candidate. The PAC accepted donations only from employees and shareholders. Citizens United later challenged restrictions that would have barred the same corporate speech outside the PAC structure.
A labor union created a PAC to make direct contributions to congressional candidates. Federal law capped the amount the PAC could give per election cycle. The union argued the caps violated its members' associational rights under the First Amendment.
Paragon Construction formed a PAC to advocate for deregulation of its industry. State law required the PAC to register and disclose donors before airing radio spots. The company claimed the disclosure rules imposed an unconstitutional burden on political speech.
Prime Logistics maintained a PAC that funded political advertisements. A shareholder sued, alleging the expenditures were not properly authorized under corporate bylaws. The court examined whether prior judgments against the company precluded relitigation of the authorization issue.
Patrick Phan ran for a state judgeship and accepted contributions from a business PAC. State canons prohibited candidates from personally soliciting funds but allowed PACs to raise money independently. Phan defended the arrangement as protected political association under the First Amendment.
PAC stands for political action committee. It is an organization that pools contributions to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures.
Rule 7.6 prohibits a lawyer or firm from making or soliciting political contributions for the purpose of obtaining government legal work or judicial appointments. Contributions routed through a PAC are still subject to the rule when the purpose is to secure engagements.
Yes. Corporations and unions may establish a PAC to make expenditures for express advocacy or electioneering communications. The decision removed the prior ban on corporate independent expenditures outside the PAC structure.
…a State where a primary election . . . is being held within 30 days,” §100.29(b)(3)(ii). Corporations and unions may establish a political action committee (PAC) for express advocacy or electioneering communications purposes. 2 U. S. C. §441b(b)(2). In McConnell v. Federal Election Comm’n , 540 U. S. 93, 203–209, this Court upheld limits on…