Decision’s impact in Georgia limited
The Supreme Court’s campaign finance ruling eventually may have ripple effects at the national level, but legal analysts say the immediate impact is more limited in Georgia.
The decision allows campaign donors to give to as many candidates and political action committees as they wish if they abide by limits on campaign spending, erasing an overall limit of about $120,000 for this year.
Fewer than 650 donors reached that limit this cycle nationally, according to the National Center for Responsive Politics, and they had a negligible role in Georgia political campaigns.
Doug Chalmers, a campaign finance attorney with the Political Law Group, said the removal of contribution limits to political parties could have a far broader impact.
The Federal Elections Commission, lawmakers and the courts will wrangle more over the changes in the months to come.
“We’re in the middle of a major battle, and this isn’t the end,” said Chalmers, who applauded the ruling. “This is just one step in a fight over the proper role of the First Amendment.”
About the Author
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
