From a press release Tuesday (Aug. 6):

Today, Kauai lawyer Daniel Hempey filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Representative Colleen Hanabusa seeking an investigation into links between the Hanabusa campaign and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) lobby. The complaint alleges significant reason to investigate potential improper coordination between her congressional office, her campaign, and the PhRMA lobby. 

This connection came to light in the last two weeks when the Washington Post published communications between Chris Raymond, Hanabusa’s most senior Washington aide, Hanabusa’s chief of staff, and two members of her campaign staff, detailing the fact that PhRMA intended to “pull together” an independent expenditure on behalf of Rep. Hanabusa. Such coordination is prohibited by both campaign finance law and the U.S. House Code of Official Conduct. …

Note: Civil Beat has asked Hanabusa’s campaign for comment on the complaint and will update this blog if necessary. Read our related coverage of the FEC dispute:

Did Hanabusa’s Campaign Violate Disclosure Law by Not Reporting Poll?

Hanabusa And Schatz Differ Over Making Drug Companies Pay

Photo: Rep. Colleen Hanabusa thanked supporters and her opponent Republican Charles Djou at the Hawaii Democratic election headquarters after defeating Djou in the race for the House seat. (Anita Hofschneider/Civil Beat)

—Chad Blair