Georgia Democrats sue to overturn law allowing unlimited campaign cash, saying GOP unfairly benefits

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Democrats are suing to overturn the ability of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and others to raise unlimited political contributions and spend them on behalf of any political cause.

The Democratic Party of Georgia on Thursday filed suit against the governor in federal court in Atlanta. The lawsuit asks a judge to declare that a 2021 law that created leadership committees is unconstitutional because it unfairly gives unlimited fundraising powers to some people but not others.

The party is asking a judge for a preliminary injunction to freeze fundraising and spending under the law while the suit moves toward trial. That could limit the ability of Kemp and others to raise and spend money on legislative races this fall. Kemp has pledged his leadership committee will raise and spend $1.5 million to support some Republican legislative incumbents and seek to defeat some Democratic incumbents.

While Democrats say they don’t expect to win enough seats to control the 180-member state House, they’re aiming to cut into the Republicans’ current 102-78 majority.

Right now, legislative candidates are limited to raising $3,300 apiece for a primary and general election from contributors, and $1,800 apiece for runoffs after the primary and general. That means candidates can raise between $3,300 and $10,200 depending on how many elections are held.

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