One of the top Republicans running for Georgia governor on Thursday sued the other leading GOP candidate, challenging the legality of the rival’s campaign funding.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr sued Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in federal court in Atlanta, asking a judge to permanently cut off Jones’ ability to spend money from Jones’ leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that allows Georgia’s governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders to raise unlimited funds.
Carr argues that the leadership committee violates Carr’s First Amendment right to free speech as well as his 14th Amendment right to equal protection by setting up a campaign finance structure that favors Jones and limits how much Carr can spend on his campaign.
Jones’ campaign called Carr a hypocrite because his office in 2022 defended the same law he is now challenging.
Carr’s position has been that the attorney general is obligated to defend challenged laws even if he personally disagrees with them. Parker did not address the substance of Carr’s lawsuit.
