WRF Election Law Attorneys Successfully Defend Alleged Excessive Contribution on Constitutional Grounds

Washington, DC—Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP Election Law attorneys garnered an important victory for The Coca-Cola Company in Colorado. An Administrative Law Judge in Colorado's Division of Administrative Hearings granted summary judgment to Coca-Cola in a case brought by the Green Party candidate for Attorney General. This petitioner accused Coca-Cola and other parties of making excessive contributions to the re-election campaign of the sitting Attorney General because Coca-Cola had contributed funds towards an "anti-bullying" public service announcement campaign that was also sponsored by the Attorney General and listed the Attorney General's name. The ALJ ruled that the anti-bullying television ad was not "express advocacy" and therefore could not constitutionally be regulated under Colorado's campaign finance rules.