Skeptics question how President Obama's new appointee to the Federal Election Commission will approach the often-controversial issues raised by campaign finance regulations.

One campaign reform group, the Campaign Legal Center, objected that the nominee, labor attorney John Sullivan, has in the past called for lenient regulation.

In a written statement, the center called Sullivan's May 1 nomination "a cause for concern," reports BNA. The group indicated that in his current post as associate general counsel of the Service Employees International Union, Sullivan seemed to oppose strict enforcement of disclosure provisions for "electioneering communications" under the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act -- unless the message involved explicit words of "express advocacy" for or against the election of a candidate.

Other communication from Sullivan indicates he does not believe the FEC should strictly interpret restrictions on the coordination of political activity between candidates and outside groups, the group wrote.

Regardless, other experts interviewed by BNA indicated that Sullivan's appointment might calm conflict and controversy on the six-member panel, which had recently deadlocked on key votes.

Obama nominated Sullivan to replace Democratic Commissioner Ellen Weintraub. Two other commissioners have terms that recently expired, and the president could name their replacements as well. They are GOP commissioner Donald McGahn and Democratic Commissioner Steven Walther.

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