Anti-redistricting PAC targeted in campaign finance complaint

A political action committee running ads opposing changes to congressional redistricting rules has been targeted in an anonymous campaign finance complaint, according to a copy obtained by The Banner.

The complaint, filed over the weekend with the Maryland State Board of Elections and Office of the State Prosecutor, argues that the PAC, Truth for Maryland, has not disclosed its donors as required by law.

The elections board and the state prosecutor have policies not to discuss potential or pending investigations.

Truth for Maryland began running ads last week encouraging Marylanders to vote “yes for Wes” and also vote against Question 3, which would change the state constitution’s requirements for congressional redistricting. The ads mimic Moore’s campaign colors and branding.

As a political action committee, Truth for Maryland is required to file reports showing contributions and expenses within 48 hours each time it spends at least $10,000. Truth for Maryland filed one such 48-hour report on Oct. 23, listing $100,000 spent with a media firm. The report did not list any donors.

That report was filed after state elections officials sent letters to Truth for Maryland on Oct. 23, reminding the group that a 48-hour report was required after its ads went up on Oct. 20. Elections officials warned Truth for Maryland that the group could face a “potential” violation of campaign finance laws.

Andrew Brightwell, Truth for Maryland’s chair, did not respond to voicemail and email messages on Wednesday.

Brightwell is a Republican strategist whose prior campaign work includes the campaigns of former Gov. Larry Hogan and Ed Hale Sr., a retired banker ran in the Republican gubernatorial primary this year.

Maryland Democrats say the group should release its donors.

“Marylanders deserve to know who is funding this dark money organization as they push the MAGA agenda in Maryland,” said Steuart Pittman, chair of the Maryland Democratic Party and Anne Arundel County executive, in a statement.

Democratic leadership in the state has been eager to discredit Truth for Maryland as the fate of Question 3 remains unclear as Election Day approaches.

The group’s ads have ruffled the feathers of Gov. Wes Moore, a chief proponent of Question 3 who has pumped more than $1 million from his own campaign funds into pro-Question 3 ads. Moore’s lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter asking Truth for Maryland to take down their ads and website; the group has kept them up.

The main group supporting Question 3, Fight Back Maryland, has received more than $2 million in contributions, including nearly $1.4 million from national Democratic political action committees.

The opposing committees have been at a huge financial disadvantage. In addition to Take Back Maryland, another group called Protect Maryland Votes has been advocating against Question 3 with a budget of about $200,000 so far. The Maryland Republican Party also has been sending out mailers against Question 3.

Question 3, if approved, would change the state constitution to make it clear that requirements that districts are compact and respect natural boundaries apply to General Assembly maps and not congressional plans. That change would eliminate legal obstacles that have blocked previous Democratic gerrymandering efforts, clearing the way for lawmakers to try to draw Maryland’s only congressional Republican, Andy Harris, out of a job.

The ballot question could be the most contested item of Maryland’s general election, with polls showing voters divided and political groups spending money both for and against the issue.

Moore’s campaign rolled out a TV ad this week featuring former President Barack Obama telling voters to support Question 3.

Marylanders have already begun casting their ballots. Through Tuesday, more than 322,000 had returned mail ballots and nearly 389,000 had cast ballots in early voting. Early voting runs through Thursday, with traditional Election Day voting on Tuesday.