FEC vice chairman steps down amid congressional run speculation

Buckle up, folks—Trey Trainor, the Federal Election Commission’s vice chairman, just dropped a bombshell by announcing his resignation, effective Thursday, with his last day set for October 3.

Trainor, a Republican stalwart, is eyeing the U.S. House seat left open by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who’s now gunning for Texas Attorney General, while Trainor’s exit leaves the FEC crippled without a quorum to tackle campaign finance oversight.

Let’s rewind a bit: Trainor was tapped for the FEC by President Trump back in 2020, after a grueling confirmation process that kicked off in 2017.

Trainor’s Tenure and Trump’s Trust

“It has been an honor to serve in this role since President Trump appointed me,” Trainor said, reflecting on his time at the FEC.

Well, honor or not, it took long enough to get there—three years of confirmation limbo isn’t exactly a speed record for Washington efficiency. Turns out, even the best appointments can get bogged down in bureaucratic quicksand.

Now, Trainor’s not just walking away; he’s mulling a leap into Congress, specifically for Roy’s vacated seat, though he’s playing it coy for the moment.

Considering a Congressional Campaign

“I’m seriously evaluating that option,” Trainor noted about a potential run.

Sure, take your time, Trey, but don’t be surprised if the political vultures start circling that seat faster than you can say ‘primary.’ A House run isn’t a casual decision—it’s a full-contact sport in today’s climate.

Meanwhile, Trainor’s also looking forward to a breather, saying he’s eager for a “normal” life with rodeos and family time like middle school football games.

FEC Faces Quorum Crisis Again

Good for him, but his departure is bad news for the FEC, which will now be down to just two members—both Democrats, Shana Broussard and Dara Lindenbaum.

The FEC needs at least four commissioners for a quorum to do its job, like cracking down on campaign finance shenanigans, and it’s been limping along since April, when another commissioner, Allen Dickerson, left. Trainor’s exit just pours salt in the wound.

History shows this isn’t the first time the FEC has been stuck in neutral—similar quorum droughts hit in 2008 under President George W. Bush and twice during Trump’s first term in 2018 and 2019, according to the nonprofit Issue One.

Partisan Concerns and Past Decisions

Trainor himself had considered a run for Texas Attorney General before Roy threw his hat in, but backed off to avoid turning the FEC into what he called a “partisan tool” under the remaining commissioners.

That’s a principled stand, especially when you consider how easily federal agencies can be weaponized in today’s hyper-polarized mess. But with only two Democrats left standing at the FEC, some might argue the balance is already tipped.

On a brighter note, word from officials to the Washington Examiner is that the Trump administration is already vetting potential replacements to fill the FEC void, though no names have surfaced yet. Let’s hope they move faster than Trainor’s confirmation did, because a toothless FEC benefits no one—left, right, or center.