Letters to the Editor: Rick Caruso isn’t buying an election. His spending is protected speech
Monday
Mar 17, 2014 at 12:10 PMMar 17, 2014 at 12:15 PM
Caruso was supposed to be on the state ballot in November. But the candidate had to be removed from the ballot. That’s because Caruso is a Democrat who was also running for county auditor. His name appeared on the ballot as an independent candidate.
Caruso’s name appeared on the ballot as an independent candidate
Caruso was supposed to be on the state ballot in November. But the campaign to get him on the ballot as an independent candidate was too strong, and he was removed from the ballot for being an independent candidate.
Caruso’s name appeared on the ballot as an independent candidate
Not only is Caruso an independent for purposes of campaigning, he’s a Democrat for purposes of being on the ballot. The election code doesn’t allow for an independent candidate to be on the ballot if he’s a Democrat.
Caruso’s party affiliation won’t let him get on the ballot as an independent — which is why he is fighting a campaign that the Democrat-controlled election commission wants to prevent him from campaigning on.
Caruso’s spending money as an independent candidate doesn’t conflict with the election law’s campaign financing restrictions. If Caruso wants to be on the ballot as an independent, he needs to change his party affiliation.
Caruso used his election law attorney to help him be an independent candidate. Caruso is an attorney for O’Brien, O’Brien, O’Brien LLP. His firm’s website says he represents individuals and entities in a variety of legal matters. Caruso’s office website says clients include, but are not limited to, individuals, businesses, families, employers, government agencies and organizations. He is a partner at the firm.
Caruso’s lawyers were not involved in the campaign to get him on the ballot as an independent candidate, nor was the attorney representing his campaign.