Emails suggest Kansas GOP candidate skirted campaign finance rules, watchdogs say

WASHINGTON -- Kansas Republican congressional candidate Amanda Adkins may have skirted federal election law by representing herself as a candidate before filing the appropriate paperwork, campaign finance watchdogs say.

Federal election rules include a “testing the waters” provision allowing prospective candidates to conduct a limited amount of preliminary activity. They are required to file with the Federal Election Commission if they make or authorize statements referring to themselves as a candidate and spend or raise at least $5,000.

Adkins, a former Kansas GOP chair, officially filed for Kansas’ 3rd congressional district on Aug. 30 and held a kickoff event this week at the Prairie Fire Museum in Overland Park. She will compete with fellow Republican Sara Hart Weir for the opportunity to challenge Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids in November 2020.

But emails obtained by The Star show that a full month before the FEC filing, political consultants referred to Adkins unequivocally as a candidate.

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