McGavick loan won't trigger rule

WASHINGTON — A $2 million loan by U.S. Senate challenger Mike McGavick to his own campaign does not trigger a "millionaires' amendment" that would allow Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell to raise more money, the Federal Election Commission ruled Tuesday.

The FEC's decision means that Cantwell will have to abide by normal campaign-finance laws, at least until the Sept. 19 primary.

In a unanimous decision, the FEC said the so-called millionaires' amendment — which lifts campaign-donation limits for anyone facing a candidate who self-finances a campaign — applies only to McGavick's Republican primary opponents, not Cantwell.

But the FEC said money donated by either Cantwell or McGavick to their respective primary campaigns could trigger the millionaires' amendment if the money is used in the general-election campaign. Both Cantwell and McGavick are expected to win easy victories for their party's nominations.

The election commission did not specify how pre-primary donations would be counted in the fall campaign, but said "Senator Cantwell and Mr. McGavick must use a reasonable accounting method to determine the amount of personal funds available for use in the general election."

In 2000, Cantwell contributed about $10 million of her own money to her successful campaign against then-Sen. Slade Gorton. Much of the money was in loans that were later repaid to Cantwell, who had earned millions in stock as an executive for RealNetworks.

The millionaires' amendment, adopted in 2002, did not apply to the 2000 election.

McGavick spokesman Elliott Bundy called the ruling expected.

"This is simply more evidence of the Cantwell campaign's efforts to twist the facts for their advantage," he said.

Michael Meehan, Cantwell's chief campaign strategist, said the ruling was unfortunate.

"Whatever sums Mr. McGavick spends [of his own money] between now and Sept. 20 won't allow the Cantwell campaign to be on a level playing field with him," Meehan said.