Mayoral Candidate Challenges Austin's Campaign Finance Limits in Federal Court

Mayoral candidate Doug Greco and his campaign, along with a Bexar County resident who supports Greco's candidacy, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the provision of the Austin City Charter that limits campaign contributions from individuals living outside the city limits. The plaintiffs are seeking to have the court declare the contribution limit unconstitutional and issue a temporary and permanent injunction against its enforcement.

Empowering Grassroots Campaigns and Protecting Voter Integrity

Challenging the Contribution Limit

Greco, a longtime social justice advocate and former Austin teacher, has argued that the current contribution limit of $47,000 from non-Austin residents prevents his relatives and supporters from outside the city from contributing to his campaign. He believes this infringes on his First Amendment rights and his ability to run a grassroots fundraising campaign.The lawsuit contends that the contribution limit "restricts the First Amendment rights of out-of-Austin donors and is neither closely drawn nor narrowly tailored to any legitimate government interest, it is unconstitutional." The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Holt Lackey and Rebecca Webber, who have stated that similar campaign finance rules have been struck down in other jurisdictions.

Protecting the Integrity of Local Elections

The City of Austin has defended the contribution limit, stating that it was part of a voter-approved initiative in the late 1990s to "maintain the integrity of the City's local council elections" and prevent the influence of outside special interests. The city has pledged to respond to the lawsuit through the appropriate legal channels.Former Council Member Kathie Tovo, who is also running for mayor, has expressed her support for the contribution limit, arguing that it was intended to give Austin voters more of a voice in local elections and prevent the dominance of outside money. She believes the law should be upheld to protect the integrity of the city's political process.

Potential Impact on the Mayoral Race

The lawsuit has the potential to significantly impact the upcoming mayoral election on November 5th. Greco has criticized his opponent, Mayor Kirk Watson, for having a fundraising lead, and has also noted that other candidates, such as Tovo, are able to loan their campaigns money, making them less dependent on contributions.If Greco were to prevail in his lawsuit, it could allow him and other candidates to raise more funds from outside the city, potentially shifting the dynamics of the race. However, the city has indicated that it will defend the contribution limit, and the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain.The case is being closely watched by political observers, who are interested to see how the court will rule on the balance between protecting the integrity of local elections and the free speech rights of donors. The resolution of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for campaign finance regulations in Austin and beyond.