PDC staff alleges McCauley failed to file C3/C4 reports; commissioners discuss termination form as remedy

PDC staff presented case 158260 alleging that Matthew McCauley, a 2024 candidate for state representative, failed to timely file candidate registration and required C3/C4 reports and did not make campaign books of account available for inspection. Tabitha Blacksmith told commissioners the respondent paid a filing fee that triggered full reporting, then said he withdrew due to health reasons but did not submit the formal statement of termination by the June 30 deadline.

Blacksmith described mitigation (first-time, small unsophisticated campaign, limited expenditures) and aggravating factors (public deprived of timely information during sensitive preprimary period). Commissioners discussed the administrative 'statement of termination' used to relieve filing obligations if signed by a candidate and noted the form requires the candidate to certify they will not campaign, solicit or accept contributions or accept office if elected. The commission agreed it could include conditional language in an order allowing McCauley to submit the termination within a short window before the general election in exchange for suspending most penalties; commissioners emphasized that if the candidate later campaigns or accepts office, enforcement would resume and missing reports would be pursued.