The Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA) thanks former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Commissioner Caroline Hunter for her years of public service on the FEC. Ms. Hunter resigned from the FEC earlier this month.
Ms. Hunter was nominated to the FEC by President George W. Bush in May 2008 and was quickly confirmed by the United States Senate. Prior to her appointment to the FEC, she served as Vice Chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, executive officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, and deputy counsel at the Republican National Committee.
RNLA President David Warrington praised Ms. Hunter: “Throughout her service at the FEC, Caroline demonstrated her commitment to public service, to protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans, and to ensuring due process and fair procedures for everyone who is regulated by the FEC. She refused to bow to political pressure, even when she was the sole voice standing up for the rule of law as the only Republican on the Commission.”
Two former FEC Chairmen who are members of the RNLA Board of Governors and who served with Ms. Hunter on the FEC agreed. Matt Petersen said: “For 11 years, I had the privilege of serving alongside Caroline at the FEC. Not only was Caroline an esteemed colleague, she was also a valued friend. As she departs the Commission, Caroline will leave behind a legacy of principled decision-making, keen judgment, and a commitment to the rule of law. Those characteristics will serve her well in the next chapter of her career, and I wish her all the best.”
Lee Goodman added: “Caroline was a stalwart defender of the First Amendment for citizens and limited government. She served long and well and left a lasting imprint on the agency.”
FEC Commissioners have an exceptionally important duty to enforce campaign finance laws without impinging on Americans’ First Amendment rights of political speech. As Ms. Hunter said in her letter of resignation to President Trump: “My record at the FEC reflects my strong commitment to the oath I swore upon taking office, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. As Commissioner, I fought to protect Americans’ First Amendment rights to free speech and association, and to administer the laws as written by Congress and interpreted by the courts, rather than as some wished them to be. I fought against unnecessary government regulations and unfair enforcement actions; to promote transparency and consistency in the FEC’s operations; and to ensure due process in its dealings with the American people.”
The RNLA thanks Ms. Hunter for taking her oath seriously and for faithfully serving the American people on the FEC for so many years.
This press release can be viewed and downloaded here.