Case challenges some political contribution limits in Alaska

  • Thursday, November 12, 2015 12:38am
  • News

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An Anchorage state Republican party district and others are suing Alaska Public Offices Commission leaders, challenging the constitutionality of certain campaign contribution limits.

Plaintiffs’ attorney Kevin Clarkson says he plans to ask a judge to block enforcement of those limits pending a decision on the case’s merits.

The federal lawsuit challenges as too low the $500 annual limit on individual contributions to candidates and to groups that aren’t political parties.

It also challenges the annual aggregate limit a candidate can solicit or accept from non-residents and the annual aggregate limit on what political party units combined can give a candidate.

Suing are District 18 of the state GOP, Aaron Downing, Jim Crawford and David Thompson, described in the lawsuit as a Wisconsin resident and brother-in-law to Wasilla Rep. Wes Keller.

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