Influence Alley

Congressional candidates' families are keeping busy this cycle.

In the second instance this week of a close family member contributing money to a super PAC, the brother of one of the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Arizona gave a six-figure sum to a political action group that has run at least one ad criticizing his bro's opponent.

Patrick Cardon, the brother of Wil Cardon, who's in a primary race with Rep. Jeff Flake for the seat being vacated by retiring Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, gave $100,000 to the Secure Arizona PAC, according to a Federal Elections Commission filing dated July 13.

"First, and most important, Wil does not have any involvement with PACs. It would be illegal for him to do so. As for his brother, Wil has no control over what Patrick chooses to do but it is not illegal for his brother to be involved in a PAC," Cardon spokeswoman Alyssa Pivirotto told the Alley.

Even though they're licit, don't expect these kinds of contributions to become common, says Anthony Corrado, a campaign finance expert who is a senior fellow at Brookings and government professor at Colby College.

"We're going to have some instances of it, but it's just another aspect of the ability of individuals to spend or contribute unlimited amounts," Corrado told the Alley.

Earlier this week, Hotline on Call reported on another contribution in a separate race involving a family member.

Laura Ruderman's mother, Margaret Rothschild contributed $115,000 to the political group Progress for Washington to attack Suzan DelBene in the 1st District race in Washington.