Last week, the Federal Elections Committee voted unanimously to approve the draft opinion submitted by Caroline Gleich, professional athlete and content creator. A candidate for U.S. Senate in Utah, Gleich filed a “Request for Advisory Opinion” with the Federal Election Commission on July 11th. This was the final step in the FEC’s official process to seek clarification about campaign finance regulations. The decision by the FEC today opens the door for what could be a significant ruling clearing the way for future content creators to run for office.
As a content creator, a large part of Gleich’s work involves brand sponsorships and promoted content on social media. Outdated and vague FEC rules for federal candidates have severely limited Caroline’s ability to continue doing her job while she runs for office. This decision is the final step and a significant milestone. We now have guidance on how existing campaign finance laws apply to modern-day careers.
“If we want Congress to look more like America, we need to ensure that people of all backgrounds are able to run for federal office,” said Gleich. “As a professional athlete and content creator running for the U.S. Senate, I’ve seen firsthand the way the system favors candidates who are independently wealthy or come from a political dynasty. I am thrilled that our request to the FEC has been passed, paving the way for more people with diverse backgrounds to run for office.”
Caroline’s effort was highlighted in an article by the Washington Post: “Influencer Running for U.S. Senate challenges campaign finance rules”
Gleich, running to become the youngest woman in the US Senate, has already made local and national waves by raising nearly $400k in Q1 (more than nearly every Republican in the race) from grassroots donors, her viral launch video earning her a mention in the New York Times’s top ten 2024 Senate races to watch, and with the release of her viral “Dear Dad” advertisement that garnered millions of views on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.
