CLC Alleges Wisconsin Candidate Used Straw Donors to Raise “Soft Money”

On September 9, 2024, Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that André Jacque, a Wisconsin legislator and 2024 candidate in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, used a straw donor scheme to direct or transfer soft money from his state campaign committee, Jacque for Senate, to political allies and family members who used those funds to make “reciprocal” contributions to Jacque’s federal campaign committee, Jacque for Wisconsin. CLC’s complaint alleges that this scheme violated federal laws that prohibit the use of “straw donors” to make contributions, and further prohibit federal candidates from directing or transferring “soft money” in connection with a federal election.