Democrats notch win in TV ad rate case

A 2-1 ruling by the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday sided with Democrats in a TV ad rate dispute, requiring super PACs and political parties to pay the same rate for broadcast political ads. The decision follows a June Supreme Court ruling that eliminated limits on coordinated spending between parties and candidates, which Democrats argued could create financial advantages. The lawsuit challenged whether the “lowest unit charge” (LUC)—the best ad-buy rate within set windows before primaries and general elections—should apply to parties and joint fundraising commissions. Judge Robert B. King wrote that the FCC’s Public Notice illegally expanded LUC scope.