Democrats File Complaint Against Anti-Cicilline Group

Democrats File Complaint Against Anti-Cicilline Group

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Americans for Common Sense Solutions, which has been running advertisements against David Cicilline over his vote on Megan’s law and his record as Providence mayor.

Cicilline is the Democratic candidate for the First Congressional District seat, which is currently held by Patrick Kennedy.

“Just when Rhode Islanders thought they'd seen the worst forms of misleading, negative campaigns, the Americans for Common Sense Solutions 527 organization races even further to the bottom,” said Shripal Shah, Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

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He added: “Our filing with the FEC demands that this pattern of anonymous attacks by shadowy 527 groups end right now. This group is running despicable advertisements based on lies that are completely baseless. In our democracy, people must be held accountable for the assertions they make, but Americans for Common Sense Solutions is operating without even a hint of transparency as they spread lies without making the disclosure required by law.”

The DCCC alleges that Americans for Common Sense Solutions has not complied with the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which requires that it file reports with the Federal Election Commission, disclosing its financial sources of support. (Click here to view one of their ads.)

“This group has been viciously and shamelessly lying about and distorting David’s record. The reason you see no citations on their disgusting mail piece is because they know (as do the seniors that have received them) that they are baseless and false,” said Cicilline Campaign Manager Eric Hyers. “Rhode Islanders deserve to know who this group is, who donates to them, and their motivations for trying to buy elections with lies.”

Cara Cromwell, the campaign manager for Cicilline’s Republican opponent, John Loughlin, declined to comment.