The city of Little Rock filed a lawsuit Thursday asking a judge to rule that two mayoral candidates have fundraised outside the city’s restricted window.
Little Rock named candidates Warwick Sabin and Frank Scott Jr., both men’s exploratory committees and the Arkansas Ethics Commission as defendants in the lawsuit.
The city is asking a Pulaski County judge to make the commission enforce a city ordinance that restricts candidates from collecting campaign donations until June 1 of an election year. The Little Rock mayor position and six Board of Directors seats are up for election in November.
The lawsuit asks for a declaratory judgment on whether the city’s restriction on campaign fundraising is justified under state law and whether the Ethics Commission has to enforce it. It also asks the judge to order the commission to sanction anyone who has violated the ordinance.
Little Rock’s attorney said a state law gives the city the authority to set its timeline; therefore, its rule falls under the jurisdiction of the commission, which enforces state campaign laws.
The lawsuit also argues that the commission’s rules currently cause an uneven playing field for incumbents in municipal races in the city, who can’t being fundraising until June of an election year.
A spokesman for the Sabin for Mayor campaign said Mayor Mark Stodola is using the city to sue his political opponents.*
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has reached out to Scott’s campaign for a comment.
Graham Sloan, executive director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission, said the city is entitled to seek a court ruling on the commission’s actions and that the commission stands by its previous advisory opinions.
Both Sabin and Scott created exploratory committees last year and began raising funds, which will be turned over to the candidates once they formally file to run for office.
Read Friday's Democrat-Gazette for more information.
*CORRECTION: A spokesman for the Sabin for Mayor campaign said Mayor Mark Stodola is using the city to sue his political opponents. A previous version of this story misstated his quote.