Bruning Plays Fast and Loose with Election Law

Sep 01, 11:47 AM CST

As Nebraska’s top lawyer, I’d like to think we could trust Jon Bruning to stand up for the law. Unfortunately, it appears that he doesn’t deserve that trust.

This advertisement appeared on page 10 of the “Go!” section in Thursday’s Omaha World-Herald:

At first I thought, “Gee, Jon’s such a nice guy.” Then I noticed the “paid for” at the bottom.

This ad was financed with soft money – money collected without adhering to the rigorous standards required by the FEC in federal elections. State-level and lower candidates use only soft money for their campaigns.

The problem is that Mr. Bruning has announced – three times, no less – that he’s running for a federal office. And I think even a lawyer as practiced as Jon Bruning would be hard-pressed to convince Nebraskans that this ad is not intended to help his numbers in his bid for Senate.

Did Mr. Bruning violate the letter of the law? I don’t know. But he certainly violated the spirit of the law, and that’s not exactly what I like to see from an Attorney General.

Now he wants a promotion?

– by Eric Van Horn | Send this to a friend

  1. The solution is very simple: file a complaint with the FEC.

    It can’t be done online, but there are instructions available at this website on how to file a complaint.

    While Mr. Bruning may not have violated the law (if he hasn’t filed paperwork, maybe he technially is not a candidate yet), the compaint would be made public and force him to explain himself.
    — Paul Biler    Sep 02, 10:29 AM CST #
  2. What is it with Republican Attorney Genrals breaking the law?

    Don’t ask him about it though, he may not recall!
    — Mike Nellis    Sep 02, 01:27 PM CST #
  3. Paul-

    We fully intend to explore all avenues, including a possible FEC complaint. Thanks!
    — Eric Van Horn    Sep 02, 06:44 PM CST #
  4. Hate to play grammar cop, Mike, but it’s “Attorneys General.”

    Paul, Bruning has filed his papers and is a candidate for Senate.
    — Dave Sund    Sep 03, 03:42 AM CST #
  5. He’s filed for the Senate and he’s using soft money to build name recognition? Let the complaint filing begin!!
    — Paul Biler    Sep 04, 10:06 PM CST #

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