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Wednesday, March 09, 2011

9 Lehigh County Candidates, Both Parties, Say They'll Spend No Money

Below is a list of the candidates, Republicans and Democrats, who are running for Lehigh County offices. No surprises there. But for me, the big surprise is the number of candidates who have filed "waivers." This is an affidavit signed by a candidate who has no intention of receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $250.

Lisa Scheller, who has enough money to fund e very candidate in both parties for the next 100 years, has filed a waiver. So have Scott "Scrappleface" Ott, blogger and attorney Dave Najarian, Sheriff wannabe Andy Roman, Coroner Scott Grim, citizen activist Dennis Pearson, incumbent Superclerk Andrea Naugle, Sheriff Ron Rossi, amd Comm'r candidate Tim Waitkus.

That's nine waivers, some of them from very serious candidates. Now perhaps it's just for now, but it's still a refreshing thing to see a group of Republicans and Democrats thumb their nose at the money.
LC Candidates

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

they're not thumbing their nose at money...it means they're acting in concert, via a pac, and will combine resources to run the campaign.

Anonymous said...

candidates are actively encouraged to sign that and then correct it later with a filing. really its a bold face lie.

does anybody really believe that they don't plan on buying lawn signs?

Liars.

Anonymous said...

The verbiage on the petition states that "he or she does not intend to form a political committee or to receive contributions or make expenditures in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250) during any reporting period." and if he or she does, the candidate "will file reports as required by law".

I don't think anyone is lying. The process is very transparent.

Jon Geeting said...

A contrarian take: "money in politics" is not the problem; who the money comes from is. I think politics is important, so I think it's worth spending money on, even lots of money, for candidates to get the message out to voters about what they intend to do in office. It costs money to run for office, and I would rather see that money supplied equally through public financing of campaigns, rather than lopsidedly, with special interests funding candidates they think will be partial to their interests.

The one thing I do like about this waiver is that it increases the power of the media (and bloggers!) relative to political candidates.

Jon Geeting said...

A contrarian take: "money in politics" is not the problem; who the money comes from is. I think politics is important, so I think it's worth spending money on, even lots of money, for candidates to get the message out to voters about what they intend to do in office. It costs money to run for office, and I would rather see that money supplied equally through public financing of campaigns, rather than lopsidedly, with special interests funding candidates they think will be partial to their interests.

The one thing I do like about this waiver is that it increases the power of the media (and bloggers!) relative to political candidates.

Anonymous said...

they already spent $100 to file.

did they spend money for handouts while canvasing? Did they get petitions notarized? Even if they were notarized "gratis", it was an in-kind contribution that should be reported.

It's easy to spend $250. I'd like to hear them explain how they plan on spending less than $250.

you can knock on 1000 doors, and you will still need hand outs and lawn signs. Does anybody seriously believe they won't spend more than $250 in the next month?

I'd rather have the transparency of knowing where the money is coming from than some laughable indication that they won't spend on this campaign. If any of them has talked to a publishing house or sign maker in the last two weeks, they should be brought up on perjury charges.

Anonymous said...

If the special election for O'Pake's seat is any indication, the parties will spend far more money on the candidates than the candidates will spend themselves. No PAC needed.

Anonymous said...

Bernie

If Lisa Scheller signed the affadavit saying that she has no intention of receiving contributions in excess of $250 then why does her website specifically ask for contributions in excess of $250 ?http://www.votelisascheller.org/cms/index.php/news/2-businesswoman-lisa-scheller-runs-for-lehigh-county-commissioner

Jusy wondering....