Pearce to challenge decision to limit use of campaign cash

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce is going to court to challenge a state official's ruling that Pearce can't use all of his federal campaign war chest of approximately $1 million in the New Mexico race for governor. The Albuquerque Journal (https://goo.gl/b3RGDx ) reports that Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver decided that Pearce's use of his federal campaign cash is subject to a $5,500 contribution limit. Toulouse Oliver is a Democrat, and Pearce contends that her decision is politically motivated and that he has a First Amendment right to use his federal campaign cash in the state race. Deputy Secretary of State John Blair told Pearce in a letter that the decision that the $5,500 limit applies is based on a review of state campaign laws and a 1996 court decision.