A Michigan congressional hopeful finds herself in federal court after one of America’s most recognizable food companies accused her of illegally copying its trademark branding for her political campaign.
The Campbell’s Company filed a lawsuit earlier this month in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Shelby Nicole Campbell, a 31-year-old Detroit resident running for Congress.
The company also named her political campaign committee as a defendant in the case.
The food manufacturer alleges Campbell’s campaign violated federal law through infringement of a registered trademark, false designation of origin and false endorsement.
The allegations center on Campbell’s use of a soup can theme that the company claims resembles its iconic product design.
Campbell’s produces a wide range of food products including its flagship condensed soup line, sauces, pasta and beverages.
The company has built its brand recognition over more than a century.
The congressional candidate is seeking the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s 13th District in the 2026 election cycle.
The district encompasses portions of Detroit and surrounding Wayne County suburbs.
Democrat Shri Thanedar currently holds the congressional seat Campbell hopes to win.
The race will be decided in the 2026 midterm elections.
CBS News reported that according to court documents, Campbell’s sent the candidate a cease and desist letter on Sept. 2, 2025.
The notice demanded that Campbell stop using the company’s intellectual property and destroy all campaign materials featuring the allegedly infringing design.
Campbell’s campaign website operates under the domain Soup4Change.
The site carries the disclosure “paid for by Shelby Campbell for Congress” and outlines her policy positions on issues including public transportation, affordable housing and federal labor laws.
The Camden, New Jersey-based food company built its legal case around allegations that Campbell used a slogan and visual theme resembling a Campbell’s soup can.
The lawsuit emphasizes the company’s century-long effort to develop and protect its trademarks and trade dress.
The company cited previous success in protecting its brand identity.
Court documents reference two election committees in other states that discontinued similar styling after receiving legal notices from Campbell’s.
Campbell’s lawyers told the court that the company has fielded multiple inquiries from consumers confused about whether the corporation endorsed the congressional candidate.
These messages and emails from the public form part of the company’s evidence of consumer confusion.
The lawsuit states that Campbell rejected the food company’s request to modify her campaign logo.
Court filings point to a social media post where Campbell shared the cease-and-desist letter along with her response, claiming the controversy would “make [her] blow up and really win congress easily.”
Additional evidence presented by Campbell’s includes another social media post from the candidate.
In that post, Campbell stated the company’s brand protection efforts “didn’t work then” and “won’t work now.”
The lawsuit asserts that Campbell and her campaign have made their position clear.
“Defendants have made clear that they have no intention of changing their campaign logo,” according to the court filing.
Campbell’s is requesting a jury trial to resolve the dispute.
The company seeks both preliminary and permanent injunctions against the candidate and her campaign committee.
The requested injunctions would prohibit Campbell from using any logo design, social media hashtags, or content referencing the term “soup.”
The company also wants to prevent any materials suggesting endorsement or affiliation with Campbell’s.
The lawsuit further alleges that Campbell’s campaign distributes stickers and merchandise featuring the disputed design.
These items reportedly go to campaign contributors and members of the general public across the United States through the campaign’s website and social media channels.
When contacted by CBS News Detroit about the legal action, Campbell declined to discuss details.
“I can’t discuss the specifics of ongoing litigation,” she told the news outlet.
Campbell did offer a broader statement about her view of the situation.
“Powerful institutions, whether educational or corporate, often use their vast resources to control narratives, intimidate individuals, and dictate outcomes,” she said.
“This is exactly why I’m running for Congress: because our legal system should not be a weapon reserved for the wealthy,” she added.
Campbell’s background includes work as an assembly line worker and membership in the United Auto Workers union.
Her educational credentials include degrees from Rock Valley College in Illinois and Wayne State University, plus attendance at Detroit Mercy School of Law, according to her campaign website.
