Blackwell defends way funds were raised

[OhioChick]

Blackwell defends way funds were raised
Contributions came via party accounts

Sunday, March 19, 2006
Sandy Theis and Ted Wendling
Plain Dealer Bureau


Columbus - Secretary of State Ken Blackwell preaches the need for transparent fund-raising in his campaign for governor, but in his 2001 race for state treasurer, much of the money he received could not be directly traced to specific donors.

Instead, more than half the $294,175 he raised from bankers, brokers and others dependent on the state treasurer came from obscure accounts operated by county Republican parties.

The money began to flow rapidly in the spring of 2001, shortly after Blackwell announced he would seek his old job of state treasurer.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1142761069120930.xml&coll=2

[sasquatch]

1. Well I'm glad to see Secretary Uncle Ruckus is getting exposed

[AndyTiedye]

2. Much Good It Will Do. The Voting MachineZ Are OWN3D by Him

[Judi Lynn]

3. Report: Blackwell took $294,000 from brokers, bankers

Posted on Sun, Mar. 19, 2006
Report: Blackwell took $294,000 from brokers, bankers
Associated Press

CLEVELAND - Republican Kenneth Blackwell, in a short-lived campaign for state treasurer, received $294,175 in campaign contributions from bankers, brokers and others who do business with that office, a newspaper reported Sunday. More than half was funneled through county GOP parties.

Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state and now a candidate for governor, announced in 2001 that he would run for treasurer after the incumbent, fellow Republican Joe Deters, said he would seek another office.

Secretaries of state award few state contracts to private companies, compared with those issued by the treasurer's office.

Blackwell eventually bowed to the state party's wishes and ran for re-election as Ohio's chief elections officer instead, but not before raking in $124,175 in direct contributions to his campaign and $170,000 from county party accounts, The Plain Dealer reported in Sunday's editions.

Candidates used the county funds to circumvent contribution limits. Once donors gave the maximum allowed to candidates, they still could give at even higher levels to the county accounts, which then shipped the money to the candidates.
(snip/...)

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/14138300.htm