Lautenberg looks to take advantage of Millionaire's Amendment ruling, Zimmer says

A move by U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg to repay his own campaign debts has drawn the ire of his opponent, former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer.

Lautenberg attorney Marc Erik Elias penned a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) last month arguing that, since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the “Millionaire’s Amendment,” a provision of the law that any personal loans over $250,000 not repaid before the election should be considered nonrefundable – meaning that Lautenberg would be unable to raise funds to repay his own debt after that period.

Lautenberg loaned himself $1.65 million during his June primary campaign against U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews.

While the Supreme Court did not directly touch on that issue in its decision – which focused on giving candidates running against rich self-financers higher thresholds for campaign contribution limits – Elias argued that the same concept applies to repayment of personal loans.

“The personal loan provision of the Millionaire’s Amendment is constitutionally suspect under the Court ruling in Davis,” he wrote.

A press release by Zimmer insinuated that it was disengenous of Lautenberg, who defended the Millionaire’s Amednment in press reports last month, to now try to go against the spirit of the law.

“It is disgraceful that Senator Lautenberg would ask the FEC for special treatment that would benefit him financially. This type of selfish behavior shows that he has completely lost touch with average New Jerseyans,” said Zimmer Communications Director Kristen Hainen. “While New Jerseyans are trying to readjust their family budget to address soaring gas prices and the rising cost of living, Senator Lautenberg is off seeking special treatment to line his own wallet.”

The Lautenberg campaign disagrees with Zimmer's take.

"Once again, Washington lobbyist Dick Zimmer is making partisan attacks that are flat wrong. In light of a new Supreme Court ruling, Senator Lautenberg has simply asked the FEC to clarify its regulations," said Julie Roginsky, a spokeswoman for the Lautenberg campaign. "Washington lobbyist Dick Zimmer well knows that Frank Lautenberg has stood up to the special interests throughout the course of his career, while Zimmer has made a career of representing special interests on K Street."