SAVANSA, Ga. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday filed a lawsuit against a major rival in the 2026 GOP nomination that one of Georgia’s top Republican officials claimed to have. Unfair benefits in campaign financing.
Judge’s decision allows Republicans Lieutenant Colonel Burt Jones Continuing to raise unlimited campaign funds using special leadership committees granted to Georgia officials’ selection groups under the 2021 Act. The lawsuit was filed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Kerrthe committee says that it gives Jones an advantage that violates Carr’s constitutional rights to freedom of speech and equal protection.
As Kerr and Jones compete as the leading candidates for the Republican nomination as a replacement for term limits, Kerr filed the lawsuit as a candidate rather than his official ability as the Attorney General. Governor Brian Kemp. The GOP primary will be in May next year.
Kerr’s case, filed in Atlanta on August 7, asked a US District Court judge to block his ability to collect and use his leadership committee. This is a special fundraiser vehicle that allows only a small group of governors, lieutenant colonels and legislative leaders to raise unlimited funds.
The law does not have access to Carr to that type of committee. Instead, he should resort to a regular campaign committee limited to raising $8,400 from each primary donor to raise $4,200 for the primary runoff.
In Thursday’s ruling, U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert wrote that Jones’s leadership committee is “uncontroversial” as it is giving him the benefits of fundraising.
She still dismissed the lawsuit, and although Kerr has not challenged the constitutionality of the law itself, he instead sued Jones and his campaign to “do exactly what Georgia law can do.”
The judge wrote that by Jones attempting to condemn the disparity rather than the funding law, Kerr had asked the court to “twist the logical pretzels.”
The favorable ruling against Jones comes two weeks after the lieutenant governor has received political backing from President Donald Trump. He supported Jones’ candidacy For the governor.
Julia Matsquarn, a spokesman for Kerr’s campaign, said the firing was “based on procedural technicality, not merit.” She said the campaign is looking at further legal options.
Jones’ campaign calls Kerr a hypocrite as Kerr’s office defended the same financial laws that Jones sued to block use in 2022. Kerr said he has an obligation to comply with the laws challenged as Attorney General, even if he personally opposes it.
Kerr announced his run for the governor last year, saying that he is not personally wealthy so he needs to start raising money. There is a car campaign He raised concerns for several months Jones uses his leadership committee and family wealth to win the primary.
Jones has already provided $10 million in loans to his leadership committee. Failed To investigate the National Ethics Committee.
Carr’s lawsuit was cited Federal judge’s ruling in 2022 That Kemp’s leadership committee could not spend money to help him win the Republican primary that year. US District Judge Mark Cohen discovered that the “unequal campaign finance scheme” violated challenger David Perdue’s right to free speech.
However, Kerr had sought Jones’ Leadership Committee for more restrictions than Cohen ordered. For example, they are trying to cut off both fundraising and spending by Jones’ committee until the primary election is over.
