Texas Democrats File FEC Complaint Against Cruz

Texas Democrats have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission claiming the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz violated federal election law.

Announced Monday, the complaint asks the FEC to investigate an incident in which a Cruz fundraiser reportedly suggested at a campaign-hosted event that supporters give unlimited donations to a super PAC. Under federal election law, campaigns and their agents cannot solicit contributions above the federal limit of $5,000. 

"If you hit your max then we have a table for you that is the unlimited table," Cruz bundler Keet Lewis said at a campaign fundraiser Dec. 30 in Dallas, according to Politico, which obtained a recording of Lewis' remarks. "It can take corporate dollars, it can take partnership dollars, and that’s the super PAC, Stand for Truth, so pick up some of that information."

The complaint by the Texas Democratic Party, which is dated Friday, says Cruz's campaign "disregarded the law and brazenly asked supporters to give both unlimited contributions and contributions from corporations to a Super PAC supporting Senator Cruz's campaign." 

"He’s got to face the consequences, own up to it and make it right," party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said on a conference call with reporters. "We’ve already seen that Ted Cruz will lie, cheat and say anything to get into power." Cruz's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the complaint. 

Jordan Rudner contributed reporting.