Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet's congressional campaign appears to have made a rookie mistake before it's even out of the starting gate.

Invitations to a May 2 campaign kickoff party, hitting mailboxes this week, do not include the required paid-for disclaimers. Instead, they include corporate logos of businesses that will be providing services at the event.

The Federal Election Commission does not discuss specific cases. But spokeswoman Judith Ingram pointed to a 2007 advisory opinion, saying “the guidance is that corporate logos give the appearance that the corporations are providing (something) of value to the campaign, and corporate contributions are prohibited.”

Both Pougnet and the party co-host, Jim Casey, said it was simply a mistake on their part.

“I've got some very energized volunteers. That one slipped through,” Pougnet said Wednesday. “It was a mistake that was made that will not be made again.”

Pougnet has not officially declared he's running for the 45th Congressional District but filed paperwork last month that shows he's contemplating a run against Rep. Mary Bono Mack, a Palm Springs Republican.

“I'm getting very close to making a decision,” Pougnet said Wednesday. “That announcement will be made shortly.”

Even so, the race is already gaining national attention, including early interest by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and political blogs.

The seat is one of eight congressional districts in the state represented by a Republican, but that President Barack Obama won in November's election.

The Republicans have a roughly 4percentage point advantage in voter registration, according to the latest figures provided by the California Secretary of State.

The May 2 event is touted as a chance to support Pougnet as “we kick-off his 2009 campaign for United States Congress.”

The cocktail party is being held at a Palm Springs home.

Invitations do not ask attendees for a specific donation.

FEC rules require “public communication made by a political committee, even those that do not contain a solicitation or express advocacy, must include a disclaimer.”

Such paid-for disclaimers are standard on fundraiser and party invitations for candidates at all levels.

Casey, a Palm Springs resident who is president and CEO of Integrated Wealth Management, stressed the corporate logos on the invitations are from hired companies and they are not providing in-kind contributions.

He also added that using such logos is his typical practice when hosting parties for nonprofits and other organizations as a way to show their appreciation to the vendors.

“Every time we do some sort of party, we always like to say thank you,” Casey said.

Pougnet, on the City Council since 2003 and mayor since 2007, said he's been “overwhelmed” with support from Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike but has yet to officially declare.