Pro-Whitmer Group To Pay $37K Fine To Resolve Ad Complaint

LANSING (AP) — A political nonprofit that backed Gretchen Whitmer for governor will pay a $37,500 fine after Michigan's top election official concluded it violated campaign-finance law by "expressly" advocating for her election in TV ads.

Build a Better Michigan, which spent millions supporting Whitmer, was organized by her allies under section 527 of the U.S. tax code. Unlike an independent "super" political action committee, such organizations can't advocate explicitly for one's election or defeat but can coordinate more closely with candidates.

Whitmer appeared in the ads.

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released a letter Friday concluding Build a Better Michigan should have complied with campaign-finance registration and disclosure requirements because the ads included the words "Gretchen Whitmer, candidate for governor."

Benson entered a conciliation agreement with the nonprofit and Whitmer's campaign.

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