#MTGov Daily Rundown: Governor Bullock's Dark Money Hypocrisy
Governor Steve Bullock attempts to paint himself as a champion of transparent elections and an enemy of "big money" in politics. However, when it comes to his own campaign, Bullock does not practice what he preaches. In 2015, he chaired the Democratic Governors Association. The job of the chair is specifically to raise corporate cash.
As chair, Bullock raised more than $17 million in corporate donations. At least $3 million came from undisclosed sources.
"The DGA group is called America Works USA. Records and public statements by the DGA indicate the group collected $3 million of the $17 million raised by the DGA the first six months of this year – but DGA officials wouldn’t confirm that figure." -MTN News, 9/17/2016
Bullock hosted multiple corporate fundraisers in 2015, while at the same time decrying dark money during the 2015 legislative session.
"On Friday, Gov. Steve Bullock hosted a fundraising dinner for the Democratic Governors Association in Washington, D.C.
Bullock's own elections efforts have benefitted greatly from DGA cash. In 2012, The DGA spent $3 million in support of Bullock through the Montana Jobs, Education, and Technology (JET) PAC. The DGA is already spending big money on Bullock's re-election bid.
"In 2012, the DGA raised more than $50 million, much of that coming from unions, drug makers, insurance companies, energy companies and other corporate sources. That year, the DGA gave over $2.8 million to Montana Jobs, Education and Technology PAC, a political action committee that worked to get Bullock elected." -Great Falls Tribune, 11/21/2014
Is the dark money Bullock raised being used in the Montana governors race by the DGA?
"[Brock] Lowrance said the money Bullock raises with the DGA will eventually be used in Montana to benefit Bullock’s reelection campaign.
'It’s hypocritical. Steve Bullock tells Montanans one thing, but then he does another when he thinks we aren’t watching,' Lowrance said." -Great Falls Tribune, 11/21/2014
Bullock's campaign has also drawn criticism for exploiting what has become known as the "Bullock loophole" which allows political party's to provide unlimited in kind contributions (potentially from corporate sources) to campaigns.
"Montana GOP spokesman Shane Scanlon blasted Bullock for engaging in 'deceptive practices to get his corporate and dark money into Montana.' He said the state GOP uses a field team of staffers to conduct get-out-the-vote efforts, but has not dispatched employees to work for a specific candidate during this election cycle or in 2014." -Helena IR, 4/24/2016
Meanwhile Greg Gianforte has pledged to not accept special interest PAC money. That's a pledge that Bullock has not joined him in taking.
"That race has seen Republican newcomer Greg Gianforte swear off PAC funds of all stripes, including those that could be bundled by an outside group and legally passed along via the state GOP." -Helena IR, 4/24/2016
"'I refuse to accept any campaign contributions from special-interest PACs, state and federal,” read the first line of the pledge, released by Gianforte’s campaign just a day after the Bozeman businessman formally announcing that he would seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination and as he completed a two-day rally tour.
The incumbent governor’s campaign manager, Eric Hyers, did not say whether Bullock would sign the pledge..." -Billings Gazette, 1/21/2016
No comments:
Post a Comment