McKenna Long & Aldridge Election Law Specialist Available for Comment on FEC Policies and Procedures Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC (January 13, 2009) - In anticipation of the FEC Policies and Procedures hearing slated for January 14, 2009, Charlie Spies from McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP's Political Law practice is offering initial comment and will be available for further comment during and following the hearing.  Mr. Spies offers a unique perspective on election law issues due to his experience working at the Federal Election Commission (as Counsel to Chairman Darryl R. Wold in 1999 and 2000)  as well as serving as Election Law Counsel for the Republican National Committee during the successful Bush-Cheney re-election campaign in 2004 and then General Counsel for the Republican Governors Association working on 38 Governors races in 2005 and 2006.

"Too often with the FEC, the enforcement process has been the punishment, even for Respondents that were ultimately vindicated.  The Commission is to be commended for holding this hearing and taking comment regarding some of the agency's long-standing enforcement procedures," said Charlie Spies.  "The Commission should pay special attention to the comments of practitioners who represent clients participating in campaigns and exercising their constitutionally protected free speech, while at the same time attempting to comply with the cumbersome federal election law statutes and regulations."

Mr. Spies will be attending the hearing at 10:00 AM on Wednesday the 14th and will be available for comment throughout the day at (202) 496-7878.

Based in Washington, DC Charlie Spies recently joined the Political Law practice at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP.   Most recently he served as Chief Financial Officer and Counsel for the Romney for President campaign.  McKenna Long & Aldridge's national Political Law team represents corporations, trade associations, candidates and political parties before federal and state regulatory and enforcement agencies, including the Federal Election Commission.