Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) campaign has settled a lawsuit with an Illinois man for $7,500 after he accused Pelosi, her campaign, and fundraising organization ActBlue of sending invasive and harassing text messages. Jorge Rojas claimed these unwanted texts violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, which prohibits contact with U.S. residents on the Do Not Call Registry.
Rojas, who added himself to the registry in 2008, alleged that he received 21 text messages from Pelosi’s campaign in just nine months. The lawsuit stated that the texts caused Rojas “frustration, annoyance, irritation, and a sense that his privacy has been invaded.” Rojas initially sought $31,500 in damages, including $1,500 for each text message received, but dropped the lawsuit in February.
Pelosi Campaign Pays $7,500 to Illinois Man Who Sued over ‘Invasive and Harassing’ Text Messages https://t.co/y1QG3j0lP4
— ✨🪐Jackie Coco💫 (@JackieC49305942) April 18, 2023
Campaign finance disclosures released last week showed that Pelosi’s campaign paid Rojas a $7,500 settlement. Neither party has commented on the settlement. Rojas also sued the California Democrat Party in November for $4,500 in damages.
Fundraising text messages from Pelosi’s campaign have gained notoriety in recent years, with some even inspiring headlines like “Why won’t Nancy Pelosi stop emailing me?” in the Los Angeles Times. Rojas went as far as to include verbatim examples of the texts in his lawsuit, such as one that capitalized on the retirement of several Republicans.
Nancy Pelosi’s decision to step down from her leadership role in the House marked a significant victory for the GOP as Republicans reclaimed control of the lower chamber earlier this year. Moreover, the change in leadership represents a fresh start for the House, offering a chance for the GOP to prioritize economic growth, national security, and traditional values.
The settlement paid to Rojas is a reminder of the need for political campaigns to respect individual privacy and adhere to regulations in their fundraising efforts. While aggressive campaign tactics are nothing new, the line between persistence and harassment must be considered.
As political fundraising continues to evolve, it is crucial for campaigns to maintain a balance between reaching potential supporters and respecting personal boundaries. This incident should serve as a cautionary tale for all campaigns moving forward.
