Vice President Kamala Harris is facing a new ethics complaint after it was revealed her campaign hired a marketing firm run by Loren Merchan, the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan. Judge Merchan is currently presiding over a high-profile case involving President Donald Trump, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Harris’ campaign reportedly paid $468 to the firm Authentic Campaigns on July 30, soon after Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) filed a formal complaint, accusing Judge Merchan of failing to recuse himself from Trump’s case due to his daughter’s financial ties to Harris’ campaign.
Under New York’s judicial ethics rules, a judge must step aside if a close relative has a financial interest in a case. Loren Merchan, being Judge Merchan’s daughter, falls under this rule, according to the complaint.
Republicans have long accused Judge Merchan of being biased against Trump. This new connection between his daughter and Harris has only heightened calls for an investigation. Stefanik is calling on the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct to conduct a full inquiry.
With the 2024 election heating up, this ethics complaint is likely to become a major talking point, especially among conservative voters concerned about fairness in the legal system. Whether or not the commission takes action, the controversy will likely continue to dominate headlines in the coming weeks.
