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DCCC Takes Another Whack at Freedom’s Watch

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is accusing Freedom’s Watch of failing to disclose more than $600,000 worth of television ads in Louisiana and Mississippi special elections.

The conservative group immediately denied the DCCC’s allegations, claiming that it has complied with Federal Election Commission’s rules on reporting its advertising.

“We in fact have submitted all required documentation to the FEC as required,” Freedom’s Watch spokesman Ed Patru said in an e-mail Wednesday.

“You will have to ask the FEC why the reports aren’t posted.”

But in an FEC complaint filed Wednesday, the DCCC alleges that the outside conservative group “aired multiple electioneering communications without filing reports with the commission,” specifically television spots starting April 22 and April 29 that “clearly identified, and advocated the defeat” of now-Rep. Don Cazayoux (D-La.).

Cazayoux defeated ex-state Rep. Woody Jenkins (R) last Saturday in a special election to replace retired Rep. Richard Baker (R-La.).

The DCCC also alleges a similar misdeed by Freedom’s Watch in neighboring Mississippi, where “on May 2nd, Freedom’s Watch began to air a television advertisement that clearly identified, and advocates the defeat of, Congressional candidate Travis Childers (D).”

Childers, a Prentiss County chancery clerk, will square off May 13 with Southaven Mayor Greg Davis (R) to fill the seat of now-Sen. Roger Wicker (R).

The complaint filed Wednesday marks the fourth time in a month the DCCC has asked federal regulators to investigate the activities of Freedom’s Watch, a “social welfare” organization that files under section 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code.

— Matthew Murray

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