Clean Election Candidates get skrewed by a Republican with a grudge

Friends,

Ok.... I have to tell you... their is no low to what republicans will do.

Some of you may or may not know... I was a candidate for state house in my legislative district (LD12) prior to moving to Cleveland to run the Kucinich field operations. I left the district and supported the candidates who took on the seat from afar. Clean Elections has many regulated rules about how money is spent. For these small races, it become hard to follow the rules and limited funds... but it is ok if it levels the playing field. The problem is... it is an opt-in system. Candidates who run as Dem's in this district run clean by choice, only to run against non-clean candidates who out fundraise and out spend them.

You have to understand.. because of clean elections you can not staff you campaign ... you do most of the foot work. In the end its worth the effort to get special interests funds out of the system. But folks... understand that folks who want to run for the state legislature need to take time from their jobs (their income) their family, to run a hard door to door campaign themselves, for a position that only pays $24k a year. Meaning that you have to take time off of work to run for a position that does not pay enough to make ends meet, thus having to work additionally to make ends meet.. thus not spending the needed time to make laws!

All of this and now.... a republican with a grudge is going after the personal finances of a candidate who lost this time around. Personal time, legal counsel, and additional personal funds will be needed to counter this petty tactic from a ultra rightwing republican with a grudge against the system.

All of this.. and I ask.... why is it that we get pissed off that those that get into office become corrupt, become cynical, or from wealthy families with no real understanding of families that are trying to make ends meet.

Those working class families, those folks who represent a democratic voting base are left out because of how this system works. In order to take the time off and run an effective campaign.. you have to be able to take up to a year off of making an income for your family just to campaign! Only the privileged could do such a thing.

This man... a friend... ran in LD12, and took time away from his teaching Jr. High. A good teacher... he deserves to be in the state leg... we need his voice!

But people like this.. who try to do what is right.. what is needed... despite the odds ... this man gave it a shot. Had tons of support.... but lost. Poured countless hours into campaigning and putting that stress on his family... but these republicans that are supposedly representing "family values" wants to again... make it personal and take a good man out!

There has to be more to it then this!

We wonder why there are so few good politicians.... look at what hell they have to go through to get there!

This story needs to be told. We need more candidates like Ken.

There might be an article in this story... this story needs to be told. This story is one of many many out there. We need to give voice to these candidates.

sorry for venting.... this just urkes me to no end!

In peace,
Kevin



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From: Ken Thomas
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:30 AM
To: Kevin Spidel
Subject: Republican Harassment of Clean Election Democratic Candidates


Thought you'd be interested that there is a concerted Republican effort targeting many Democratic legislative candidates from the the 2004 campaign. A Republican named Patrick Meyers, from outside of Legislative District 12 (he lives north of Phoenix, in Anthem), has recently filed numerous complaints with the Clean Elections Commission against me and other Democratic candidates . In my case, I have until Monday to prepare a legal document that responds to each of his several allegations, or face large fines.

Apparently he is angry about the CCEC investigating two Republican legislators who kept sloppy records, hid transactions, and overspent their public funding by using money from other sources. So he's slapped a complaint against me, alleging that my own campaign reporting was not accurate and that I intentionally hid transactions for some purported devious reason. Not true of course, but now I must dig out my campaign records, invoices, etc. and write a detailed response. Legal counsel may be needed to make sure it complies with state law.

There goes my family plans for the weekend. I tell ya, I'm getting pretty weary of this. After being defeated in the legislative race, I now have to deal with harassment like this. It could make a person want to never get involved in politics, or ever to be willing to stand up and offer oneself as an alternative to the voters, in opposition to the Republican ultra-conservative agenda.

But I guess that is the ultra-conservative Republicans' goal. To intimidate and beat Democrats down into the ground so there will not be any opposition to their rule. And to overwhelm the small Clean Elections Commission staff with complaints, paperwork, and legal action. They dislike Clean Elections system. Because the Clean Elections system DOES open up the process to more candidates who are able to provide a better choice to voters, who otherwise would see only Republican conservative incumbents on the ballot.

By the way, this Mr. Meyers has also filed complaints against some candidates who ran in the 2002 election. And against some moderate Republicans who didn't stay in line with the ultra-conservative agenda. It costs him nothing to do this. But it creates a huge burden for the CCEC and the former candidates.

Just thought you'd appreciate knowing the 2004 campaign in LD12 isn't really finished yet. The Republicans aren't done with us.

-Ken Thomas

They're organized, staffed, funded...and a few other things I won't get into prior to dinner. :grr:

It would be great if the DNC had a legal SWAT Team for this sort of thing.

Sorry about it, Kevin.

states:

I have mentioned to a couple of folks my interest in determining what, if anything, can be done about this unabashed harrassment. I even mentioned to Peter the possibility of a class action lawsuit. The wording of the complaint against me makes it perfectly clear that this guy is not looking for truth, justice and the American way, but rather is on a very mean-spirited witch hunt and he is casting a very large net! I am willing to do just about anything about this mess. I am halfway through my response and believe you me I am saying a few things in there which may raise some eyebrows.

I appreciate the support that so many Democrats have shown during the past couple of days, as I respond to the unwarranted complaint that Mr. Meyers has filed against me with the Clean Elections Commission.

Just to let you know, we've got the situation in hand for now:

-Two pro-bono attorneys have been arranged through contacts at the AZ Democratic Party, to assist me and any other Democratic candidates who must respond to Mr. Meyers flood of complaints.
-Bob Grossfeld and The Media Guys, Inc., which is a political consulting group that I worked wth during the 2004 campaign, has assigned Michelle Davidson to assist in digging up the information needed to clarify the campaign vendor issues raised by Mr. Meyers. We plan to get together on Monday, to write a rebuttal of each allegation.
-I have officially requested an extension to respond, and it should be granted by the CCEC, giving me more time to write a detailed reply to the allegations.
-Two individuals in the press/media have contacted me separately about doing news stories on this coordinated tactic against Democratic candidates who used the Clean Elections system.

Keep in mind this effort by Mr. Meyers seems to be an attempt to overwhelm the small staff at the Clean Elections Commission, as well as a spiteful attack on Democratic candidates and a few moderate Republican candidates who don't share his ideology. The wording of Mr. Meyers complaints is clear in his contempt for the Clean Elections system.

I thought you'd appreciate an update and would want to know that there are many folks standing alongside me, helping me respond to this situation. I am not the only former candidate in this situation, and it has helped to network with the others. Thanks for your support, too!

-Ken Thomas