Democrats sue Kemp over leadership committee law

(The Center Square) — Georgia Democrats have filed a federal lawsuit against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, saying a measure he signed three years ago that allows him to effectively "sidestep" campaign finance restrictions.

Kemp signed Senate Bill 221 into law in May 2021. Under the so-called "LC Law," some politicians can chair leadership committees and receive contributions from their members or supporters.

Democrats contend the law violates the U.S. Constitution's First and 14th amendments.

They argue that although Kemp cannot run for reelection, he still benefits from the law.

"The LC law provides a select few incumbent politicians with the ability to avoid campaign finance restrictions by establishing and chairing so-called leadership committees," Democrats said in their lawsuit. "That framework and process monetizes political cronyism to the benefit of the political allies of the incumbent Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the leadership of the House and Senate Caucuses, and to the detriment of essentially everyone else: political challengers; anyone who dares to voice an opinion of opposition; anyone who becomes a political enemy of the very few who can raise unlimited campaign dollars; and, of course, the voting public."

Democrats filed their lawsuit in the Atlanta Division of the Northern District of Georgia. They also asked a judge to issue a preliminary injunction barring the state from enforcing the law.

In 2022, former U.S. senator David Perdue, then running against Kemp in the Republican gubernatorial primary, filed a lawsuit over the law. Spokespeople for Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr did not immediately respond to a request for comment.