DGA withdraws remaining count in campaign finance lawsuit

The Democratic Governors Association has withdrawn its remaining legal challenge of state campaign finance law. The withdrawal was filed without comment or explanation.

The action was not unexpected as it followed a federal judge’s denial nine days ago of the association’s request for an injunction blocking the enforcement of state campaign finance laws. She concluded that its speculation of possible unconstitutional enforcement action gave it no legal standing to sue.

At issue was the question of potential illegal coordination between the DGA, which is expected to spend millions of dollars to support Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s re-election this fall, and Malloy, who has been raising money for the association in Connecticut and elsewhere.

Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall denied the injunction and dismissed the DGA’s claim that the state law pertaining coordination was unconstitutional, but she left standing a second claim that the state’s definition of what constitutes a campaign expenditure is overly broad and unconstitutional.

The DGA withdrew its challenge to the definition of a campaign expenditure without prejudice, meaning it could raise the complaint again.

“We’re delighted that the Democratic Governors Association has withdrawn this misplaced challenge to the strong coordination and disclosure provisions of Connecticut’s campaign finance laws,” said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut.

Common Cause, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and the League of Women Voters had filed an amicus brief opposing the DGA.