FEC allows Caroline Gleich to keep influencer income while running for US Senate

Caroline Gleich at a climate hearing. Gleich’s campaign is mainly centered around taking action on the climate crisis. Photo: Caroline Gleich

PARK CITY, Utah – The Federal Election Committee (FEC) unanimously approved a draft opinion submitted by U.S. Senate Candidate Caroline Gleich, allowing Gleich to continue receiving money for brand deals she receives as an influencer and content creator.

Federal election law prohibits candidates from accepting contributions or payments from outside sources that could be seen as influencing their campaign or creating a conflict of interest.

As a content creator, Gleich frequently engages in brand partnerships and promotional social media posts. According to FEC regulations, such sponsored posts occurring within 90 days of an election are categorized as “coordinated communication.” This designation means they are treated as in-kind political contributions, which must be reported in the candidate’s campaign finance disclosures.

The FEC’s recent decision permits revenue from paid social media advertisements to be excluded from campaign finance reports.

Gleich and her campaign argued that campaign finance laws would have severely limited her ability to do her job while running for Senate.

As per the FEC’s ruling, Gleich can continue to participate in paid advertisements to promote products and services of brands and companies who sponsor her.

In the advisory opinion request, Gleich’s campaign sought permission for her to appear in paid advertisements “so long as the advertisements do not reference any federal candidate, solicit contributions, contain express advocacy, or (promote, attack, support or oppose) any federal candidate,” according to the request.

“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.”

Gleich boasts over 220,000 Instagram followers and receives brand sponsorships from companies such as Patagonia, Keen, and Julbo.

Gleich officially submitted a “Request for Advisory Opinion” with the FEC on July 11, the last step in a lengthy process to seek clarification about campaign finance regulations.

The 38-year-old will be the Democratic nominee for Utah’s open U.S. Senate seat on November’s general election ballots.

Gleich’s campaign also requested that she receive salary payments from her campaign committee during the 20-day period after she stopped being a candidate for work performed before the end of her candidacy.