Evan Low’s congressional campaign has been surrounded by speculation regarding where it’s getting its funding, especially because of past controversies. This particular controversy, however, has just arisen.

What happened?

Ann Ravel, a former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair appointed by President Obama, filed a complaint claiming that Low’s campaign improperly used a nonprofit organization's email server and contact list. 

Specifically, the issue stems from a February email sent by Low's campaign to a list associated with Stand With Asian Americans (SWAA), with an unsubscribe link that directed users to a SWAA-hosted website. 

Ravel argued that this use of a nonprofit's resources could constitute a prohibited contribution to the campaign since tax-exempt organizations like SWAA are not allowed to support political campaigns directly.

What was the response?

Evan Low denied the allegations, asserting that it was a mistake by a volunteer who used the wrong hyperlink, and he stressed that the email list was legally purchased and reported. In a statement, Low’s campaign said “Sam Liccardo is once again deploying his supporters to make false accusations against our campaign - and distract from his own shady conduct. This is simply a case of a volunteer working in their personal capacity using the wrong hyperlink. The email list was purchased from the county registrar and reported by the campaign."

SWAA responded strongly against Ravel’s complaint, labeling it as politically motivated and unsubstantiated. They criticized Ravel for not contacting them before making the allegations and suggested that Ravel's actions were an attack on minority advocacy groups.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Liccardo’s campaign criticized Evan Low’s political conduct, saying “Evan Low will do anything to further his political career, whether it’s breaking the law or taking money from Oil Companies, PG&E, or Private Prisons - It’s gotten so bad Barack Obama’s former FEC Chair is now calling him out, four years after the FPPC opened a still-ongoing investigation into him. Voters deserve better."