Pa. GOP files complaint against McGinty over Rendell's spending predictions

WASHINGTON - Pennsylvania Republicans filed a Federal Election Commission complaint Tuesday against Democratic Senate candidate Katie McGinty, accusing her campaign chairman, former Gov. Ed Rendell, of improperly working with independent political groups.

The complaint cites public comments by Rendell, who in several interviews predicted that groups backing McGinty would spend heavily to help her win the April 26 primary, sometimes forecasting spending beyond what the groups had publicly announced.

Independent super PACs are barred from directly coordinating with candidates - though in practice many campaigns send none-too-subtle signals to their allies.

"Katie McGinty's campaign chairman blatantly discussed coordinating with outside groups in violation of election laws," said Megan Sweeney, a spokeswoman for the GOP state committee.

McGinty is one of four Democrats running to challenge Republican Sen. Pat Toomey this fall.

The complaint cited Rendell's predictions of help from EMILY's List, a group that supports Democratic female candidates, and the League of Conservation Voters.

McGinty's campaign had no comment on the filing.

An EMILY's List spokeswoman said Rendell "was clearly speaking on his own accord, and not on behalf of EMILY's List - nor is he authorized to do so."

She said the Pennsylvania GOP "would rather waste time playing petty politics than deal with Sen. Toomey's deeply unpopular" record.

- Jonathan Tamari