End Citizens United (ECU) today filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Senator Tim Scott for failing to file his statement of candidacy within fifteen days of deciding to run for federal office and raising or spending $5,000 in support of his candidacy.
“If Senator Scott’s first act of his presidential campaign is to break federal law, he can’t be trusted to serve in the highest office in the country,” said ECU President Tiffany Muller. “These deadlines serve an important public purpose because it ensures transparency and accountability. Neglecting this basic requirement undermines that important interest. The FEC should investigate Senator Scott and hold him accountable to discourage him and others from disregarding their obligations to public disclosure.”
The violation:
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Federal law sets a clear deadline because timely filing of this form serves a vital public interest of notifying the public about which candidates have begun raising and spending money to seek a position of public trust.
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Senator Tim Scott began exploring a presidential run in February 2023, which included traveling to Iowa and hosting events.
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On April 15, 2023, he renamed his Senate Campaign Committee the “Tim Scott Presidential Exploratory Committee” and informed the Commission that he was no longer a candidate for Senate in 2028.
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On April 30, 2023, Senator Scott told attendees at a Tim Scott-branded rally, “On May the 22nd, in North Charleston, South Carolina, it is time to take the final step. Please, tell your friends, be in attendance, North Charleston, more details coming your way, we will have a major announcement—you’re gonna want to be there.”
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His deadline to file his Statement of Candidacy was likely May 15, 2023—a deadline he missed when he filed the Statement of Candidacy on May 19.
Click here to read the complaint
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