ICYMI: Wisconsin Democrats Accuse Van Orden Campaign of Violating FCC Rules in Recent TV Ad
September 16, 2024
MADISON, Wis. — Last week, the La Crosse Tribune reported that Derrick Van Orden is being called out for violating federal law by running an attack ad without the disclosure required by the FCC.
In failing to follow the letter of the law, Derrick Van Orden is once again disrespecting the rule of law, decency, and fair play. Insurrectionist Van Orden crossed police lines at the Capitol on January 6, attempted to bring a loaded firearm onto a plane in Iowa, has berated teenage Senate pages and library volunteers, and even tweeted anti-semetic Nazi references to a Jewish former Cabinet secretary.
Key points from the report are below.
La Crosse Tribune: Wisconsin Democrats accuse Van Orden campaign of violating FCC rules in recent TV ad
By: Gavin Michaelson
- Wisconsin Democrats have accused U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s campaign of violating FCC rules with the release of a television political advertisement targeting opponent Rebecca Cooke.
- For televised advertisements, the FCC requires a political candidate’s image to appear at the end of the advertisement, accompanied by a clear, printed statement identifying the candidate and authorizing committee for “a period no less than 4 seconds.”
- Van Orden and the National Republican Congressional Committee jointly funded the ad Democrats have called into question.
- At the end of the 30-second spot, Congressman Van Orden appears and states, “I’m Derrick Van Orden and I approve this message.” However, Democrats say the ad violates federal rules as Van Orden only appears for about 2.5 seconds.
- When asked about the accusation, a Van Orden campaign spokesperson accused Cooke of working on a dark money board supporting defunding the police.
- William Garcia, chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democrats, is calling on television stations that have aired the spot to enforce FCC rules and charge Van Orden’s campaign the full price for the advertisements, as opposed to the discounted prices that political ads receive 60 days prior to an election. “Here in western Wisconsin, we value decency and fair play, and it’s a shame Derrick Van Orden doesn’t respect that. Running attack ads without the required disclosures is the kind of sleazy, DC politics that we’ve all come to expect from Derrick Van Orden, and it’s time to turn the page,” said Garcia. “When you break the rules, there need to be consequences — which is why we’re calling on stations airing this advertisement to act according to federal law and charge Van Orden’s campaign the full market rate for these advertisements.”
- Cooke’s campaign manager, Alex Obolensky echoed Garcia’s statement. “This is just the latest instance of Derrick Van Orden showing he thinks he’s above the rules and that they don’t apply to him as they do everyone else in Wisconsin,” said Obolensky. “While Van Orden runs on lies and smears instead of results, Rebecca is running for Congress to lower prices, improve healthcare access, and protect our freedoms.”
- The FCC rule states any candidate who does not meet the requirements “shall not be entitled to receive” the discounted rate for the rest of the 60 days ahead of the election.
- In a letter sent to television stations airing the ad, Garcia states the stations must charge Van Orden and his campaign the same rate for broadcast time that it charges non-political advertisers for the ad in question as well as all future political ads paid for by the Van Orden campaign ahead of the November election.
