Who does Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure like in this year's county primary? His Pre-primary report answers that question.
He gave nothing to either DA Terry Houck or his challenger, Steve Baratta. McClure had said he was Switzerland in that race and is sticking to it.
He contributed $1,000 to Tara Zrinski's race for County Controller against Nadeem Qayyum. He also gave $1,000 to Kelly Keegan and Jeff Warren, who are running for County Council seats.
He gave no money to County Council candidate Ken Kraft, but did buy a voter list from Steve Barron for $344.78, which he then provided to Ken Kraft as an in-kind contribution.
15 comments:
Bullshit. He didn't give them any money. He gave them my money. He took the money I gave him and gave it to candidates I don't support. He will never get another nickel from me. He didn't spend all the money from his campaign account and that is what he is doling out. Money I gave him and a lot of other suckers like me. The money was for him, not for his cronies. He's playing big shot with money we gave him to get re-elected. Never again.
Zirinski got her first(?) installment for services rendered. She should not be on county council. Certainly, not only unqualified but tainted as an Independent Controller candidate. Also, interesting that the would-be McClure council Canidates already got a payment for anticipated services rendered. Can anyone say Bossman McClure?
12:11, I'd love to see a law that prohibits politicians from using $ contributed to them to fund campaigns other than their own. I'm with you. I think it's wrong. They all do it, and it should be stopped.
Where did the money come from? Not his salary!
BernieOHare to 8:19, the money comes from his campaign funds
Why isn't it a conflict of interest or, at least, an ethics violation, for McClure to donate to the campaign of two, whom if elected, will become his rubber stamps?
BernieOHare to 8:35, it is completely legal and he has that right under the First Amendment. But we have campaign finance laws so that the public can be made aware of these connections.
I understand Zrinski is his yes girl but I still don’t understand what he sees in her. She has no leadership qualities. Her politics seem far left of his. She just seems more interested in helping herself than anybody else so why is he supporting her?
"He gave no money to County Council candidate Ken Kraft, but did buy a voter list from Steve Barron for $344.78, which he then provided to Ken Kraft as an in-kind contribution."
That's interesting. You can buy voter lists directly from the state for $20. (https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/PurchasePAFullVoterExport.aspx?Langcode=en-US). Sounds like McClure got ripped off.
anon 9:27, He knows what you say is true. McClure is terrified of Cusick looking over his shoulder as Controller. He has even got people in the party to pressure dems on Council to try and shut down Cusick at meetings. In the anyone but Cusick game, he knows Zirisnki is a vote getting tool with her middle age white dem woman following. It will also help him with the women when he runs again. They adore Zirisnki and will believe anything she says.
Why were you dumb enough to even want to give it to him?
I get the Freedom of Speech aspect. McClure can endorse or campaign for anyone he wishes. It just seems wrong that a sitting elected official can donate to the campaign of someone who could be a rubber stamp for his agenda. If he were to donate to the campaign of a school board candidate or a state senator candidate, I don't see that as an issue (as long as said candidates are people he can vote for).
Cusick has the council experience, math and accounting skills as a teacher, and knows this county and it’s economic needs. Zarinski may win primary, but will not be able to debate or answer the county’s fiscal need in the general. election. Unfortunately, she demonstrates cacophonous booming rather than accountability.
It will be hard for Cusick to win in the Fall unless he works hard and spends money. Those are the facts. Just stating the obvious that Zirinski is unqualified by any real standers is not enough. she has a following of low information voters. For some reason the unions spend money on her and so will McClure and his posse. I am sure he pressured the unions to give the money as she has no real legislative accomplishments affecting workers. So if you want to prevent McClure from controlling the controller position ss he now does, you will have to work at it. Soon he and O'Hare will make sur he controls council.
If Cusick and Zyrinski are compared objectively for their effectiveness and focus on the business of the county, Cusick wins every time. Compare the input of both when discussing the county budget discussions, Gracedale fiscal funding, and general knowledge of navigating the federal guidelines
for aid to the county and Cusick wins, game over.
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