FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 24, 2003

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-225-0100

Pelosi, Daschle Recommend Robert Lenhard for Federal Election Commission

Washington, D.C. -- Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced today that they jointly recommended to President Bush the nomination of Robert D. Lenhard to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The Commission is primarily responsible for administering and enforcing federal election law.

"Bob Lenhard is a respected attorney with broad experience with campaign finance law," Daschle said. "He has been endorsed by an impressive array of civil rights, environmental, women's, and labor organizations and will faithfully administer the new campaign finance reform law in accord with the intent of Congress."

"Bob Lenhard will bring clear-headed, practical experience to the Federal Election Commission," Pelosi said. "Bob has broad support from a broad cross-section of the election reform movement and will effectively enforce campaign finance and election laws. I look forward to his confirmation."

Lenhard is Associate General Counsel at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) where for over a decade he has been responsible for legal issues related to federal and state election law. His duties have included providing advice on federal and state campaign finance laws, and he has represented AFSCME on rulemaking matters before the FEC and in election law-related litigation. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Lenhard graduated from Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

If nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, Lenhard would serve a six-year term. He would replace Scott Thomas, who has served on the FEC for 18 years and whose term is expiring.

"Scott Thomas has made a valuable contribution to our nation's campaign finance laws through his nearly two decades of service at the FEC," Daschle said. "His voice will continue to be heard on these issues in future debates."

"Scott Thomas has been a dedicated public servant whose expertise in campaign finance laws has been essential to the FEC," Pelosi said.

Among the organizations and individuals supporting Bob Lenhard's appointment to the Federal Election Commission are the following:

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi