Caroline C. Hunter to depart Federal Election Commission

WASHINGTON – Former Federal Election Commission Chair Caroline C. Hunter is stepping down from the Commission after 12 years of service, effective July 3, 2020. Ms. Hunter submitted her resignation to the White House today.

“Serving on the Commission has been a great honor,” Ms. Hunter said. “Because the Commission administers laws regulating political speech, its actions implicate core constitutional rights. My record reflects my strong belief in the need to protect Americans against unnecessary and overzealous government intrusion. My primary goal has been to ensure the Commission administers the laws as written by Congress and interpreted by the courts — not as some might wish them to be — in an open, fair, and nonpartisan manner, and with due regard for First Amendment freedoms. I’m proud of the success we have had in achieving that goal.”

Ms. Hunter’s tenure on the Commission coincided with a period of significant changes in campaign finance law, due in part to the landmark Supreme Court decisions Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. FEC. In addition to serving three times as Commission Chair, Ms. Hunter joined with her colleagues to issue hundreds of advisory opinions, rulemakings, enforcement decisions, audit determinations and reforms to improve due process at the Commission, and she published more than 150 official public statements.

“Caroline earned the highest regard among her peers for her solid and professional leadership skills. She has been an ardent and effective advocate of her views on campaign finance and the duties of the FEC and a conversation with her invariably led to a better result. Her dedication and sense of humor made her one of the most effective and respected Commissioners,” said Vice Chairman Steven T. Walther.

Ms. Hunter plans to join the legal team of Stand Together, a philanthropic organization. “Stand Together’s work in our communities to improve people’s lives is extremely important,” she said, “particularly during this unprecedented time of crisis for so many Americans. In my new position, I look forward to advancing Stand Together’s mission to help people discover and apply their unique gifts to achieve their potential and meaningfully contribute to the lives of others.”

Ms. Hunter was nominated to the Commission by President George W. Bush in May 2008 and received Senate confirmation shortly thereafter. Previously, she had served as Vice Chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, Executive Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, and associate counsel and deputy counsel at the Republican National Committee.

Ms. Hunter received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Pennsylvania State University and graduated cum laude from the University of Memphis School of Law.