Regulator says court ruling overturns Iowa campaign finance law, urges action

Court ruling overturns Iowa’s law campaign law

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa’s top campaign ethics regulator says a U.S. Supreme Court decision clearing the way for big businesses and unions to spend money to influence elections overturns the state’s ban.

Charles Smithson, executive director of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board warned legislative leaders of the decision’s impact on Thursday, and says they may well need to act.

The high court overturned a law banning businesses and labor unions from spending money to influence an election, such as buying television ads supporting a candidate. It left in place a prohibition on them giving money directly to candidates.

Iowa law prohibited businesses and unions from giving money to candidates, and from using their money to influence an election.

Smithson says the ruling means the state law banning spending to influence elections is stricken.