Delinquency CCER Reports of Fearless Slate, 2026 ESD 128
OFFICE OF THE ELECTION SUPERVISOR
for the
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
IN RE: DELINQUENCY CCER )
REPORTS OF FEARLESS SLATE ) Protest Decision 2026 ESD 128
)
) Issued: October 30, 2026
)
)
ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE
In Delinquency CCER Reports of Fearless Slate, 2026 ESD 125 (Sept. 30, 2026) (“Order to Show Cause”), we ordered the Fearless Slate, a slate of candidates for International Officer positions for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, to comply with its obligations under the Rules to submit the Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Report (“CCER”) and Supplement Report No. 1 for Periods 4 and 5, no later than October 7, 2026. We also ordered the Fearless Slate to show cause why the Fearless Slate should not be assessed monetary fines on account of the delinquent CCER reporting.
The Fearless Slate does not dispute that its Period 4 and Period 5 CCER reports are delinquent. In response to the Order to Show Cause, Richard Hooker stated that he had been unable to reconnect with the individuals who had previously assisted with preparation of the reports following the Convention and therefore was unable to complete the Period 4 filing. He further stated that bank statements and contribution information had been provided to the Office of the Election Supervisor (“OES”) and that he would accept responsibility for any monetary sanction imposed.
While we appreciate Hooker’s acknowledgement of responsibility, the explanation offered does not excuse compliance with the reporting requirements established by the Rules. Candidates and slates are responsible for ensuring that required CCER reports are timely filed. The inability to obtain assistance from consultants, agents or other individuals who may have previously assisted in preparing such reports, does not relieve a slate or candidate of its filing obligations. Nor is it the responsibility of OES personnel to prepare or complete a candidate’s or slate’s required campaign finance disclosures.
Further, Hooker’s response addressed only the delinquent Period 4 filing. It offered no explanation for the failure to timely file the Period 5 reports. It has now been over three weeks since the Fearless Slate was ordered to comply with their CCER obligations for Periods 4 and 5, and still the slate has failed to do so. As of the date of this decision, the Fearless Slate also remains delinquent with respect to Period 6 reporting, which became due October 15, 2026. The continuing failure to comply weighs in favor of remedial action.
The Election Supervisor has repeatedly emphasized the importance of timely CCER reporting. “Timely filing of required CCER reports is important to allow for prompt review and the related prompt correction of errors or, if necessary, action to remedy a Rules violation. We have imposed fines in the past for tardy filing. Should a candidate be unable to meet any filing deadline, he/she should contact our office and request an extension of time in which to file. Such extensions may be granted only for good cause shown.” Hoffa-Hall 2016, 2016 ESD 158 (April 1, 2016) (citing Hoffa-Hall 2011, 2011 ESD 46 (November 18, 2010)). Timely disclosure promotes transparency and is essential to the orderly administration of the election process.
Although the election of International Officers was resolved at the Convention and the Fearless Slate candidates were not elected, the reporting obligations imposed by the Rules did not terminate with the conclusion of the Convention. Timely disclosure remains necessary to permit review of campaign fundraising and expenditures, promote transparency, and assess compliance with the Rules.
Where candidates have failed to comply with their reporting obligations, the Election Supervisor has imposed monetary fines. In Delinquent CCER Reports of Chris Silvera, 2021 ESD 128 (June 19, 2021), the Election Supervisor assessed a $250 fine for each delinquent reporting period. The same remedy is appropriate here.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Fearless Slate pay fine of $250 for the delinquent Period 4 filing and $250 for the delinquent Period 5 filing, for a total fine of $500. The Fearless Slate shall pay this amount to the Office of the Election Supervisor no later than November 4, 2026. These fines are strictly remedial in nature and are intended to deter further Rules violations in this regard and to encourage prompt compliance with future reporting requirements.
Additionally, the CCER and Supplemental Report No. 1 for Reporting Period 6 were due on October 15, 2026. As of the date of this decision, the Fearless Slate remains delinquent in its filing obligations for that reporting period. The Fearless Slate has neither submitted the required reports nor requested an extension of time in which to do so. Accordingly, it is FURTHER ORDERED that the Fearless Slate shall submit its CCER and Supplemental Report No. 1 for Reporting Period 6 no later than November 13, 2026. It is FURTHER ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE by the same date why additional monetary sanctions should not be imposed for its failure to timely submit the required Period 6 reports.
The Election Supervisor expressly reserves the right to impose additional monetary sanctions, reporting requirements, or other remedial relief for any continuing failure to comply with the reporting obligations established by the Rules, including the continued failure to submit delinquent reports following issuance of this decision.
Any interested party not satisfied with this determination may request a hearing before the Election Appeals Master within two (2) working days of receipt of this decision. Any party requesting a hearing must comply with the requirements of Article XIII, Section 2(i). All parties are reminded that, absent extraordinary circumstances, no party may rely in any such appeal upon evidence that was not presented to the Office of the Election Supervisor. Requests for a hearing shall be made in writing, shall specify the basis for the appeal, and shall be served upon:
Election Appeals Master
Barbara Jones
Election Appeals Master
IBTappealsmaster@bracewell.com
Copies of the request for hearing must be served upon the parties, as well as upon the Election Supervisor for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Service may be accomplished by email, using the “reply all” function on the email by which the party received this decision. A copy of the protest must accompany the request for hearing.
Timothy S. Hillman
Election Supervisor
cc: Barbara Jones, IBTappealsmaster@bracewell.com
DISTRIBUTION LIST (BY EMAIL UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE):
Richard Hooker
John Palmer
Edward M. Gleason, Jr.,
James L. Donovan Jr.
David Suetholz
Will Bloom
Ken Paff
Thomas Kokalas
Timothy S. Hillman
Paul Dever
Terry Flick
Kelly Hogan