Texas Democratic Party

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What Texans Are Reading: “Cruz at Center of FEC Complaint”

AUSTIN, Texas – Yesterday, End Citizens United and Campaign Legal Center “called on the Federal Election Commission to investigate and potentially sanction” Ted Cruz.

Here’s what Texans have been reading and watching about the scandal:

Austin American-Statesman: Watchdog groups say Texas Sen. Ted Cruz 'brazenly violated' Federal Election Campaign Act

  • Two campaign finance watchdog groups on Tuesday formally asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, over possible violations connected to more than $630,000 in corporate contributions from iHeartMedia to Cruz's 2024 reelection campaign.

  • Cruz's office and iHeartMedia representatives did not respond to the American-Statesman's requests for comment Tuesday. A representative for the Truth and Courage PAC could not be reached.

Dallas Morning News: “The Federal Election Commission was asked to examine potential legal violations after $630,000 went to a pro-Cruz operation.”

  • Two advocacy groups on Tuesday called on the Federal Election Commission to investigate and potentially sanction U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for more than $630,000 in advertising revenue that has flowed from his podcast to a super PAC backing his reelection.

  • The complaint said that would violate prohibitions on federal candidates soliciting or directing donations to super PACs that come from corporations or exceed certain limits.

Houston Chronicle: Ted Cruz at center of FEC complaint over podcast payment

  • End Citizens United and the Campaign Legal Center filed the complaint with the Federal Elections Commission on Tuesday and are seeking a formal investigation. They say Cruz ‘appears to have brazenly violated’ campaign finance laws by soliciting donations to the Truth and Courage PAC from iHeartMedia, which picked up the ‘Verdict with Ted Cruz’ podcast in 2022.

Texas Tribune: “U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is facing a formal campaign finance complaint over money sent from the company that syndicates his podcast to a political action committee supporting his reelection bid.”

  • The complaint, filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission, alleges Cruz may have improperly directed radio distribution and marketing firm iHeartMedia to send over $630,000 to the Truth and Courage PAC, a group dedicated to Cruz’ reelection effort.

Spectrum News 1 San AntonioWATCH:

  • “Cruz and iHeartMedia have said that the Texas Republican was not being compensated for his time and effort – but now Cruz faces a formal campaign finance complaint, after the Houston Chronicle reported that iHeartMedia has given more than $630,000 in payments to the Truth and Courage PAC, a group dedicated to reelecting Cruz.”

FOX 26 Houston – WATCH:

  • “Texas senator Ted Cruz is now facing a formal campaign finance complaint. It’s over money sent from the company that syndicates his podcast to a group supporting his reelection bid.”

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