#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock and the Montana Dems Rake in Corporate Cash
Governor Steve Bullock has spent much of his career trying to convince Montanans that he fights against big money in elections, particularly corporate money and so called dark money. However, as Montanans are starting to figure out, Bullock says one thing and does another when it comes to campaign finance.
"The Montana Democratic Party reported $359,000 in contributions during the month of August. Just $20,500 came from six individuals.
The bulk of the party’s receipts last month, $200,000, came from the corporate and union funded Democratic Governors Association.
Both based in Washington, D.C., the DGA and the Republican Governors Association are allowed to raise unlimited funds from corporations and labor unions." -Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 9/2/2016
The article also points out that the DGA is giving funds without limits to the Montana Democratic Party, which is in turn running a "coordinated campaign" with Bullock. Meanwhile, the DGA has spent well over $1 million on ads in support of Bullock.
The article also points out that the DGA is giving funds without limits to the Montana Democratic Party, which is in turn running a "coordinated campaign" with Bullock. Meanwhile, the DGA has spent well over $1 million on ads in support of Bullock.
"Today, the Montana Democratic Party is using DGA funds to pay 22 staff salaries and benefits, including Bullock’s spokesman Jason Pitt and campaign manager Eric Hyers.
And the union and corporate money is also being used to fuel TV attack ads against Bullock’s opponent. The DGA has contributed $1.45 million to the Good Jobs Montana PAC, which has produced and aired five ads critical of Republican Greg Gianforte." -Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 9/2/2016
Some have criticized this arrangement calling it "legalized laundering" as it provides an avenue for unlimited corporate funds to reach political campaigns.
Meanwhile, Governor Bullock has continued to decry this same of out-of-state special interest money.
Some have criticized this arrangement calling it "legalized laundering" as it provides an avenue for unlimited corporate funds to reach political campaigns.
"In Montana, just about everybody has to play by some of the strictest campaign donation rules in the country.
Everyone, that is, except political parties, which can freely donate unlimited, potentially special interest-funded "personal services" to campaigns without triggering contribution limits -- a practice the Montana GOP and other conservative critics say amounts to little more than the legalized laundering of corporate donations that could otherwise land a candidate in court.
They fear the "loophole" that allows the practice is big enough to divert a flood of undisclosed cash into Montana political contests, and may have already left a mark on the governor's race." -Helena IR, 4/24/2016
Meanwhile, Governor Bullock has continued to decry this same of out-of-state special interest money.
"Montana has a history of clean and fair elections, but that history was tarnished in recent years by secretive, out of state, special interests who tried to buy our elections. The message to those who seek to hide in the shadows while using despicable tactics to con Montana voters is clear: you're not welcome here." -Governor Steve Bullock
Bullock has continued to face charges of hypocrisy on this issue as he campaigns against dark money, yet continues to benefit greatly from its use. During 2015, Bullock chaired the Democratic Governors Association where he primary job was raising corporate cash, much of it undisclosed. The DGA has already spent more than $1.3 million on Bullock's re-election efforts.
Bullock's 2012 election also 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
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.
The exclusive event, which coincided with the National Governor’s Association annual winter meeting, comes a little more than two weeks after Bullock criticized unlimited corporate campaign contributions and undisclosed “dark money.” -Great Falls Tribune, 2/22/2016
Bullock's 2012 election also 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
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