FEC Commissioner Trey Trainor – Understanding and Respecting the Federal Election Commission

Early Returns - Law and Politics with Jan Baran

In this episode, Jan Baran speaks with the Vice Chair of the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”), Trey Trainor. Born and raised in Texas, Commissioner Trainor discusses his career, his route to the FEC, the tracking of campaign donors through technology, the future of the Commission, and its role with the Department of Justice in campaign finance investigations. Given that the FEC is responsible for administering and enforcing our federal campaign finance laws, they discuss the New York case against President Trump which alleged illegal hush money payments. Who decides whether there were any campaign finance violations? The Commissioner talks about his observations and the unusual role of the DOJ in the case against the president.
About James E. “Trey” Trainor III

James E. "Trey" Trainor III was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on May 19, 2020. He was appointed to a term ending April 30, 2023.

Commissioner Trainor, of Driftwood, Texas, has practiced law for two decades, particularly in the areas of election law, campaign finance law and ethics. He has served as General Counsel to the Texas Secretary of State and Counsel to the Texas House Committee on Regulated Industries, and has represented the Texas Republican Party and two presidential campaigns. Commissioner Trainor has also served on the Advisory Board of the United States Election Assistance Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, Commissioner Trainor was a partner at Akerman, LLP, and had his own private practice.

Commissioner Trainor graduated from Texas A&M University (Corps of Cadets member) in 1997. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves in 2000 and earned his law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law in 2002.