The Washington, D.C., Office of Campaign Finance has concluded that mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George’s campaign coordinated with labor unions and an independent expenditure committee supporting her candidacy, according to findings released just days before voters head to the polls in the Democratic primary.The findings stem from a complaint filed in April that alleged improper coordination between Lewis George’s campaign, labor organizations including UNITE HERE Local 25 and SEIU 32BJ, Workers Vote, and Safe & Affordable DC, a political committee that has spent more than $1 million backing her candidacy. While the report was finished on June 6, it was released on June 12 after business hours on a Friday night.The findings come as Lewis George competes in a closely watched ranked choice Democratic primary scheduled for June 16. Despite polling indicating a double-digit lead for Lewis George, her principal rival, D.C. Councilman Kenyan McDuffie is expected to benefit from second-choice votes in the ranked choice contest.
After reviewing campaign finance records, audit materials, responses from the parties involved, and supporting documentation, the Office of Campaign Finance’s General Counsel determined that there was sufficient evidence to declare that there was coordination among the campaign, the unions, and the independent expenditure committee.
