Common Cause announced today that Stephen Spaulding will be returning to Common Cause in May as Chief of Strategy and External Relations. He departs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) this week after serving as Special Counsel to FEC Commissioner Ann M. Ravel, an outspoken critic of the agency’s dysfunction.

“We are very excited to welcome Steve back to Common Cause and look forward to bringing his expertise and experience to bear in our work to protect our democracy and hold those in power accountable in an era of unprecedented threats,” said Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause president. “We know the many talents Steve brings in the door with him when he returns and we looked forward having him on board once again. Our staff broke into applause when it was announced that Steve was returning.”

Prior to his time at the FEC, Stephen served five years as Senior Policy Counsel and Legal Director at Common Cause working on a variety of issues. Between law school and private practice at Goodwin Procter LLP, Stephen spent a year as a Democracy Law Fellow at Common Cause. Before law school, he assisted with organized crime investigations in the Rackets Bureau of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Stephen is a graduate of Haverford College and the Boston College Law School.