Christine O’Donnell forms PAC

Christine O’Donnell is about to focus her post-election world on a new poltical action committee.

The Federal Election Commission released the filing of the Friday paperwork.  It’s a six page document signed by Paul Kilgore of Athens, Ga.  He’s listed as the treasurer for the PAC. 

The document makes clear that ChristinePAC “intends to make independent expenditures”, and “raise funds in unlimited amounts.”

Political Action Committees received a lot of attention during the last campaign cycle because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on such donations.  Rulings in the cases of Emily’s List v. FEC,  SpeechNow v. FEC, and Citizens United v. FEC mean that for-profit corporations and unions may now make independent expenditures advocating the election or defeat of federal candidates.  Also, these nonprofit organizations can use funds from any source and without limit to make election-related disbursements so long as they do not use those funds for contributions to federal candidates or parties.

Even though the PAC will be allowed to raise and spend money as it wishes, it will still be required to file information on the expenditures within 24 to 48 hours after the expense is made.

After O’Donnell’s loss to Chris Coons in November’s Senate race she expressed an interest in supporting causes.  The FEC is also investigating a complaint against her campaign over the way she used campaign money.  The formation of this committee does not have any connection with that.

Matt Moran, a spokesperson for O’Donnell says the primary focus for the committe is promote “issue-activism and as an educational resource to empower citizen activist candidates at all levels of government”.  He echoed statements O’Donnell used during her campaign that candidates were responsible to the people and not to “backroom deals and interests.”