A provision of Wyoming law that restricted third-party political candidate fundraising is unconstitutional and can’t be enforced, a federal judge has ordered. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson on Tuesday approved a settlement agreement ending a lawsuit challenging the fundraising restriction. Jennifer Young of Torrington, running for secretary of state as a Constitution Party candidate, and one of her supporters, Donald Wills of Pine Bluffs, sued the state. They challenged a state campaign finance law that limited fundraising for candidates whose parties don’t participate in primary elections. Johnson approved a settlement agreement that the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office reached with Young and Wills. The order states the fundraising restriction is unconstitutional and can’t be enforced.
The contested provision barred third-party candidates from accepting political contributions before the primary election, held Aug. 19 this year. Major party candidates faced no such restriction.
Cheyenne lawyer Steve Klein with the Wyoming Liberty Group and represents Young and Mills.
Klein says the settlement means Young and other third-party candidates may begin fundraising immediately. Klein says his group wants the Legislature to amend state law to reflect the settlement.
Full Article: Judge approves settlement in campaign finance suit – SFGate.