Boyda's Independent Campaign: D.C. Group Pulls Ads from Kansas Airwaves

AT BOYDA’S REQUEST, DCCC PULLS RESERVED AD TIME IN KANSAS SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 

TOPEKA, KS – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), responding to a public request by Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District), today canceled $1.2 million in reserved airtime for campaign commercials on Kansas television stations. Congresswoman Boyda said, “This is terrific news for anyone who believes that Kansas voters should control Kansas campaigns.  By canceling their ads, the DCCC has given Kansas the chance to run our election without Washington interference.” 

Under federal election law, political organizations may run so-called “independent expenditure” ads in an effort to influence elections.  These organizations are not subject to the fundraising rules and limits that apply to candidates, and they often have no connection to the state or district where their ads run.

Federal law prohibits candidates from communicating directly with any organization that runs independent expenditure ads, even to request that an ad be taken off the air.  Because Congresswoman Boyda could not directly decline the DCCC’s support, she issued a public request through the media:  “Get the heck out of my race,” as the Topeka Capital-Journal reported on July 19, 2008.

Congresswoman Boyda said, "The Washington special interests are treating this election like a chess piece in a political game – but it isn’t.  It's an opportunity for Kansans to choose our voice in Washington.”

She added, "I hope my opponent will join me to demand that these out-of-state groups keep out of Kansas.  Together, we can make this a different kind of campaign:  a Kansas campaign, free of the Washington special interests."

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