Fate, TX – In a critical juncture of the run-off election for the Fate City Council, candidate Cinnamon Krauss finds herself embroiled in a legal controversy over her campaign signage. Investigations by the Fate Tribune have revealed that Krauss’ campaign signs may not comply with Texas state election laws, potentially undermining her campaign efforts.
Texas Election Code, specifically Title 15, Chapter 255, Section 255.001, mandates strict disclosure requirements for political advertising. The law requires that political advertisements must clearly indicate that they are political advertising and must include the full name of the person or committee paying for the advertisement unless the advertisement is authorized by a political action committee (PAC) or a specific-purpose committee.
Krauss’ campaign signs read: “Paid for by CK for Fate Campaign.” However, thorough research by the Fate Tribune has uncovered that no PAC or specific-purpose committee with the name “CK for Fate Campaign” is registered either with the Texas Ethics Commission or the City of Fate. This absence of registration means Krauss’ signs may not meet the legal requirement of disclosing the full name of the person or committee responsible for the political advertising.
According to the Texas Election Code, the specific purpose of this regulation is to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaigns. By failing to disclose the full name of the individual or entity funding the signs, Krauss’ campaign may have breached Texas law. This non-compliance not only calls into question the legality of her campaign advertising but also raises concerns about transparency in her candidacy.
The implications of this violation are significant as Krauss is currently in a run-off election against Codi Chinn. The initial election held on May 4, 2024, did not yield a definitive winner, with Krauss receiving 396 votes (25.19%), Chinn receiving 783 votes (49.81%), and incumbent Heather Buegeler securing 393 votes (25.00%). With the run-off scheduled, the integrity of campaign practices is under intense scrutiny.
The Fate Tribune contacted an expert who indicated to us that the appropriate course of action would be for Krauss’ campaign to rectify the signage immediately to comply with the Texas Election Code. This means Mrs. Krauss would have to either remove the signs, or alter them in some way that provides the correct verbiage. This would apply to every sign that has been posted.
According to section Sec. 255.001 Paragraph (e): A person who violates this section of Texas law is liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount determined by the commission not to exceed $4,000. However, there is no way to predict if or when the State would step in and assess a penalty in this situation.
The Fate Tribune reached out to Cinnamon Krauss for a statement regarding the non-compliance issue, but as of the time of publication, no response has been received.
As the run-off election approaches, voters will be closely watching how this issue is addressed, and whether the Krauss campaign will comply with Texas election law. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and adherence to legal standards in the democratic process.
Early voting for the run-off starts on Monday, June 3rd and runs through Tuesday, June 11th. Election day is June 15, 2024 from 7am to 7pm.