Boyanton files FEC complaint alleging Ezell took $217,000 tied to Coast Guard contract

Independent candidate Carl Boyanton filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in June 2026 alleging U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell accepted $217,000 in improper campaign contributions tied to defense contractors that won a $951 million Coast Guard contract, a development that could affect the South Mississippi 4th Congressional District race.

Magnolia Tribune reports the complaint centers on contributions from seven members of the Chouest family, owners of Edison Chouest Offshore and Bollinger Shipyards, and alleges those donations exceeded individual contribution limits.

The Tribune says a review of Boyanton’s complaint and Ezell’s filings suggests Boyanton may be double counting donations to the Ezell Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee with the NRCC; Magnolia Tribune reports that whether contributions were excessive is a determination for the FEC.

Ezell campaign spokesman Josh Gregory told Magnolia Tribune the congressman’s campaign is complying with the law and called Boyanton’s filing “a political stunt,” adding the campaign will report Boyanton to authorities for what it says is a false statement to a federal agency.

Boyanton, a South Mississippi small-business owner who has run for the 4th District in 2020, 2022 and 2024, is running again as an Independent. The Magnolia Tribune notes Boyanton finished just over 9% in the 2020 GOP primary, nearly 5% in 2022 and nearly 19% in the 2024 GOP primary.

Ezell, Boyanton and Democrat State Rep. Jeffrey Hulum are listed to appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot in Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District, Magnolia Tribune reports.

Source: Magnolia Tribune