Mike Coffman Sues Aurora Over First Amendment Violation
Public Trust Institute Representing Mayor in Challenge to City’s New Campaign Law
Aurora’s mayor has sued the city, alleging a recent revamp of its rules governing political campaigns violates his rights to free speech and association. Mayor Mike Coffman is being represented by the Public Trust Institute, a nonprofit public- interest law firm that litigates to advance liberty and individual rights in Colorado.
The new ordinance prohibits many former and future candidates from pushing for ballot issues or helping other candidates with their campaigns. The restrictions apply even when the former or future candidate’s name won’t appear on the ballot in the next election. Coffman argued numerous times during the debate over the measure that these provisions violated the First Amendment, but the sponsors turned a deaf ear.
“A person doesn’t give up his rights just because he decides to run for office. Mike Coffman has a constitutional right to encourage his friends and neighbors to vote a particular way, to volunteer for other people’s campaigns, and to voice his opinions on the issues just like anyone else,” said Dan Burrows, the Institute’s legal director. “If you think it’s okay for the government stop someone from doing that, I’m not sure how you got through high school civics.”
Coffman believes the restrictions were specifically targeted at him, in a bid to stop the voters who elected him from mobilizing in support of other candidates. “I agree with the contribution limits placed on candidates in this ordinance,” he said. “But under the cover of campaign finance reform, the sponsors of this proposal, Council Members Nicole Johnston and Juan Marcano, have blatantly violated both the Colorado and U.S. Constitutions by inserting unrelated provisions designed to silence me.”
“There’s nothing corrupt or nefarious about one candidate helping another,” said Burrows. “It’s a natural part of coalition building. Frankly, our country could do with more cooperation between politicians these days, not less.”