WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A Republican candidate seeking to dethrone U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., has withdrawn his request for permission to star in his very own reality television show as he campaigns.
On June 4, Nicholas Di Iorio filed an advisory opinion request with the Federal Election Commission, seeking clarification from the government entity on the rules behind doubling as a TV star while campaigning.
On July 22, a withdraw request was filed, FEC documents show.
The day prior, the FEC had issued a draft document stating Di Iorio could go ahead and appear on the show so long as he and his staffers do not get paid.
His original request states that Di Iorio and his campaign manager, Joseph Shippee, were approached by two unspecified individuals interested in filming the congressional hopeful and another unnamed candidate for a multi-episode reality TV show.
The filmers, apparently, are interested in exploring the motivations, trials and tribulations of candidates running in races considered unwinnable.
If the show is picked up and the FEC approves, Di Iorio and his campaign team would be filmed until Election Day. No episodes would air until after the general election.
The request had asked the FEC if Di Iorio and his staff were allowed to be paid and if not, is it still permissible for them to be filmed for the reality show.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com
N.Y. congressional candidate withdraws FEC request regarding reality TV show
