Appeals Court Upholds Higher Ad Rates for Parties and Super PACs

WASHINGTON

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled 2-1 Tuesday that political parties and super PACs are not entitled to the same low television advertising rates offered to candidates.

Federal Communications Commission regulations require broadcasters to offer candidates the lowest unit charge (LUC) for ad time during campaign periods. The appeals court affirmed that this benefit does not extend to political parties, joint fundraising committees, or independent spending groups.

The decision means parties and joint fundraising committees will continue paying multiples of what candidates pay for the same ad slots.

If a candidate buys a 30-second spot during the local evening news, broadcasters cannot charge that candidate more than they charge any other advertiser for that time. But political parties buying the identical ad must pay substantially higher rates—a distinction the court's majority upheld.

The ruling takes effect Sept. 4 and applies specifically to parties and joint fundraising committees not directly collaborating with individual candidates.

The decision represents a loss for Republicans, who had challenged the FCC's interpretation, and a win for Democrats who supported the existing structure.

WASHINGTON

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled 2-1 Tuesday that political parties and super PACs are not entitled to the same low television advertising rates offered to candidates.

The decision means parties and joint fundraising committees will continue paying multiples of what candidates pay for the same ad slots.

The ruling takes effect Sept. 4 and applies specifically to parties and joint fundraising committees not directly collaborating with individual candidates.

The decision represents a loss for Republicans, who had challenged the FCC's interpretation, and a win for Democrats who supported the existing structure.