April 12, 2012 •
Governors and Ethics
Here are news articles about two state governors and a former governor facing campaign finance issues:
Georgia: “Gov. Deal still has 3 pending ethics complaints” by the Morris News Service in the Augusta Chronicle.
Missouri: “Former Missouri governor, St. Louis attorney indicted in campaign contributions case” by Robert Patrick in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
South Carolina: “Ethics Commission to hear 7 allegations against Haley” by Gina Smith in The State.
December 14, 2011 •
Georgia Inspector General Finds No Evidence against Gov. Deal
A state investigation by the inspector general found no evidence to back up a claim that Governor Nathan Deal sought to fire the former head of the state ethics commission and her chief deputy because the agency was investigating Deal.
In June, Stacey Kalberman had raised questions about the timing of the commission’s plan to cut her salary and eliminate her chief deputy’s position. In the weeks before her resignation, Kalberman said the two prepared draft subpoenas for Deal and his aides to further their investigation.
The subpoenas were never executed because commissioners would not sign off. The commission did ask Deal’s campaign to voluntarily turn over records, but commissioners have refused to say whether that’s happened.
Some are concerned about how an inspector general appointed by the governor can fairly investigate the governor.
December 8, 2011 •
Georgia Special Election for House Seat
Rep. Len Walker expected to resign at year-end.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal is expected to call for a special election in January to replace Georgia House Representative Len Walker who has accepted a ministerial position with a north Georgia chapel.
Tom Kirby will campaign for Walker’s District 107 seat. Kirby said Walker is expected to resign his term at the year-end and the governor will then call for a special election.
The seat will have to be contested again in November 2012 under the new District 114.
The change is a result of redistricting.
November 3, 2011 •
Georgia Special Election On Its Way
to fill House seat of Tim Beardon
GEORGIA: A special election to fill the state House District 68 seat of Tim Bearden will be held December 6, according to an announcement by Georgia’s Secretary of State.
Bearden resigned his seat last month after being appointed director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center by Governor Nathan Deal.
If a runoff is needed, it will be held January 3, 2012.
October 11, 2011 •
Special Election Set for Georgia Senate District 28
Senator Seabaugh Resigns Seat to Accept Appointment
Governor Nathan Deal has issued a Writ of Election setting Tuesday, November 8, 2011 as the date for a special election to fill the vacant seat in state senate district 28.
The seat became available upon the resignation of Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, who resigned the seat in order to accept his appointment to the position of deputy state treasurer by Governor Deal.
The runoff election, if necessary, will be held December 6, 2011.
August 24, 2011 •
Caudell to Replace Belinfante at Georgia Ethics Commission
Governor Makes Appointment
Governor Nathan Deal has appointed B. Chan Caudell to replace Josh Belinfante as a member of the State Ethics Commission.
Caudell is an attorney and former commissioner of Habersham County, Georgia. He also serves on the board of directors for North Georgia Technical College and is vice chair of Common Cause Georgia as well as the State Bar of Georgia advisory committee that reviews legislation.
Belinfante resigned last week, stating he was looking into running for state senate.
August 23, 2011 •
Vice-Chair Resigns from Georgia Ethics Commission
Considering Run for State Senate
Josh Belinfante, Vice Chairman of the State Ethics Commission, has announced he is resigning his position in order to consider a run for state senate. While he has yet to commit to running for the position, Belinfante has indicated an interest in the seat for senate district 6 following the release of the proposed maps for redistricting.
Belinfante’s resignation comes on the heels of the recent announcement by Chairman Patrick Millsaps that he will be stepping down from his position due to what he has determined to be his illegal appointment by Governor Nathan Deal.
The State Ethics Commission is also currently engaged in the process of finding a person to fill the role of Executive Secretary for the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission following the departure of Stacey Kalberman.
Kalberman’s departure and the termination of the Deputy Executive Secretary position, once held by Sherilyn Streicker, were the result of cost-cutting maneuvers implemented by members of the Commission this past June.
May 24, 2011 •
Governor Deal’s Veto Deals “Flush” to SB 163; General Assembly Seeking “Full House” to Override
Campaign Communications Disclosure Bill Vetoed by Governor Nathan Deal in Georgia
A bill concerning campaign communication disclosures has been vetoed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. Citing to potential vagueness associated with the bill’s provisions and First Amendment concerns, Deal vetoed Senate Bill 163.
The General Assembly will now have to muster the support to override the veto if the measure is to become law.
Senate Bill 163 would require a clear statement on all campaign communications concerning the source of payment financing the item or items used in the communication, as well as requiring specific disclosures depending on the person or persons financing the communication.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.