By JAY MCDONALD
On Nov. 16, the Alaska Public Offices Commission held a hearing on campaign-related complaints that have recently been filed with the commission.
In the afternoon, the complaint I filed against Rep. Jennie Armstrong was heard by the commission. During the hearing, Armstrong accused me of weaponizing the process unfairly.
That is Rep. Armstrong’s opinion, but what is true? Here are the facts on what is happening and why:
- – Campaign finance laws were written and passed by both Democrat and Republican legislators.
- – Campaign finance laws apply equally to both Democrat and Republican legislators.
- – The Alaska Public Offices Commission does not have the staff to audit and enforce these laws on individual politicians.
- Accountability and enforcement is reactive, not proactive. A citizen files a complaint, then APOC staff investigates and responds. The matter is usually referred to the commission itself for judgment.
Increasingly in recent years, high-profile Democrat operatives like Scott Kendall (Representative Armstrong’s Lawyer) and Paula DeLaiarro (Representative Armstrong’s filing consultant) have been filing APOC complaints against conservative political opponents in the races they work on.
For example, in the 2020 election cycle Paula DeLaiarro filed complaints against Rep. Lance Pruitt, a Republican. He was fined $19,716.
This year complaints (being represented by Scott Kendall) are currently pending against former Senate candidate and ranked-choice voting opponent Kelly Tshibaka. APOC staff have identified up to $23,000 in potential fines, although the commission has yet to finalize their decision and the outcome is still pending.
A reasonable person would call a process “weaponized” if it only applied penalties and accountability to one side and not the other.
On average, Democrat politicians violate campaign finance statutes as often as Republican politicians. In recent years, we have been seeing judgments against Republican politicians but not Democrat politicians. This is not because APOC staff are partisan actors, this is because complaints are only being filed against Republican politicians. Republicans are not filing complaints against Democrats at anywhere near the same rate.
It is very important to me that APOC does not become weaponized. In order to ensure that the process is nonpartisan, enforcement must be as equal as possible. I will personally be filing complaints against Democrat politicians who have violated state statutes until enforcement levels are nonpartisan and equitable. We must have a level playing field with APOC.
I deeply regret that I must do this, but it is critically important for the Democratic process that campaign finance laws are equally and fairly applied.
I have more complaints pending, as well as complaints that I have drafted, which I hope I will not need to submit.
Jay McDonald is a citizen of Anchorage and a political activist.
Go Jay!
I believe Jay is correct and have often wondered why Republicans vote for rules that are only used against them. I agree Republicans seemingly never file complaints against Democrats.
For example: a candidate can’t receive more than $100 in cash from a contributor. While the Marijuana industry is blocked from banking and only has cash, but somehow appears to contribute significantly to Democrats? A difficult task to trace, I guess?
Best wishes!
Thank you for your never ending pushback on all issues facing families with children in public schools to legislators trying to do their job without facing unfair harassment from scumbag lawyers.
We are with you 100 percent.
Kendall (pusher of RCV & Murkowski’s lead campaign goon) and DeLaiarro are a blight on the AK election scene and it’s process. Doubtless they have advised local legislative bodies to install mail-in voting while advising them how to question ballots.
I’ve said it before here; mail-in voting must go. I don’t believe any community voted for it, just their assembly members. RCV must go to. I’m hoping it will be repealed in the November 2024 election, but the apathy displayed by voters in recent elections dampens my hope.
All of our leaders have failed the electoral process and the citizens of Alaska.
Kinda late to the party.
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