Local News

GOP accuses Carrier of taking illegal contribution

Senate candidate returned donation

Thursday, October 16 | 8:27 p.m.

KATHIE DURBIN
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

David Carrier

Ryan Hart, the chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, accused Democratic Senate candidate David Carrier Thursday of accepting an illegal campaign contribution and of violating a pledge that he would accept no special interest money.

Carrier, who is running for the 17th District Senate seat against incumbent Republican Sen. Don Benton, accepted $1,000 on Sept. 16 from the 49th District Democratic Committee. Carrier returned the contribution on Oct. 10 after Senate Democrats told him it was illegal for him to receive money from a legislative district other than his own.

“My treasurer has never done this before and she didn’t know,” Carrier said.

Hart also chastised Carrier for allegedly violating his no-special-interest-money pledge by accepting money from a Seattle law firm and from the Roosevelt Fund, which holds contributions from Democratic donors.

“If that’s not a special interest, I don’t know what is,” Hart said in a press release.

Carrier said the contribution from the Bergman and Frockt law firm actually was from an individual employed by the firm who “wished to remain anonymous.” The firm does no lobbying, he said.

As for the Roosevelt Fund, Carrier said it’s managed by the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee.

“It’s from my party, so it’s not a special interest,” he said. “It’s the pooled contributions of thousands of individuals whose only interest is to see Democrats get elected. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m a Democrat.”

As of Thursday, Carrier had raised $73,023 to Benton’s $255,765.

by Alicia Munoz : 10/17/08 6:07pm - Report Abuse

Chair of the Clark County Republican Party (GOP) may have been chewing bubble gum when he thought of accussing Carrier of taking an illegal contribution. Chew, stretch, blow and yes, pop! Absolutely absurd. A. Munoz

by Karen Kulm : 10/18/08 9:48am - Report Abuse

Well, Benton must be afraid of the poll numbers. Even though he has collected 3 times more money, almost all from special interest groups, he has to attempt to smear David. David has run a very clean campaign, and his character is unimpeachable. Don't fall for this.

by Lorretta Thomas : 10/18/08 10:04am - Report Abuse

Interesting how this accusation is popping up all over the country by the GOP... when all else fails, accuse! Pathetic way to prove leadership skills. I work in the financial industry as a office manager. Does that make my contributions to Dr. Carrier 'special interests'?

by Lorretta Thomas : 10/18/08 10:15am - Report Abuse

Oh yes, also curious about a flier I received from Don Benton. It shows endorcement by Attorney General Rob McKenna. Right underneath the endorcement is a 'VOTER ALERT!' box which says "During an election, often out of desperation, some candidates will resort to misleading tactics to deceive voters by warping the truth. This will come in the form of mail or news articles. If you should receive such material, please call me at 360-989-5025, or call the State Attorney General's office". Now, perhaps I am the only one to take exception to the intimidating language of this Voter Alert, or perhaps I should call the Attorney's office about the 'misleading tactics to deceive voters by warping the truth' used by Mr Hart in his statements to the Columbian.

by Karen Banks : 10/18/08 10:24am - Report Abuse

One of the sad things about this is how much it costs to run a campaign; really good, honest, solid candidates like David Carrier have trouble because of it. On a shoestring budget, one must rely on part-time or inexperienced campaign treasurers to figure out an overly complex set of rules about which money you can and cannot accept. Your campaign staff gets hired late or not at all. You don't have the budget to fight back against the misleading advertisements and "Voter Alert" threats. Bravo to Carrier for throwing his hat in the ring in spite of all of the obstacles.

by Brooke Anderson : 10/18/08 10:28am - Report Abuse

It oftentimes seems that certain Republicans must lower themselves to scathing comments whenever they feel threatened or presenting as 2nd place in a political race. Benton, and campaign managers, why not focus on your dwindling poll numbers instead of throwing misguided allegations toward your opponent? Which is the strategy of a true leader?

by Sam Tres : 10/18/08 10:33am - Report Abuse

This is why I do not like Republican party anymore. Talk about kettle calling the pot black. Don Benton is the sleaziest republican ever came out of Clark County politics and the party is shamelessly stooping down to his level to get him re-elected? I'm voting for David Carrier, just to PO my party.

by Chuck Thomas : 10/18/08 10:56am - Report Abuse

Why was the Attorney General's Voter Alert statement not mailed seperately? By including it on a flyer for Don Benton it gives credence to the threatening language used in the alert as further endorsement for Don Benton. Perhaps that also was intended.

by Leora Gregory : 10/18/08 5:16pm - Report Abuse

One reason that David is raising so little money is because of his refusal to take special interest money. He is proving that the special interest money isn´t needed - he can run an efficient, effective campaign without the special interest money. This same efficient and effective use of money that he is showing in his campaign is what voters can look forward to if he is elected to office.

by Daniel Cascaddan : 10/18/08 6:50pm - Report Abuse

Why is it the guy with all the corporate contributions is slinging mud at the guy who refuses to take special interest money? And why is everyone ready to believe the lies? This is the kind of thing that should hurt the accuser more than the accused. David Carrier is a good man. Too good for politics. So if you lose him in favor of an itinerant politician, in the worst sense of the word, then I guess you deserve the kind of politics that you get. As our economy collapses into the second great depression, you should enjoy the fruit of your labors. Those who vote for the mud-slingers richly deserve them.

by Lillian Archer : 10/20/08 12:35pm - Report Abuse

I know it's hard with the defense Kathie Durbin has given to Carrier, but why isn't anyone focusing on the issue?

I was excited when I first heard about David Carrier. He was refusing special interest money, and trying to unseat the infamous Don Benton -- some truly noble aspirations.

But he's continued to disappoint. He's attacked Don Benton for accepting special interest contributions, when everyone else in his own party has. Every time I've heard him speak, he addresses FEDERAL issues and FEDERAL solutions. Nothing on the state level. And now, an illegal contribution -- come on. If you can't figure out the rules for the PDC, what makes you think he can really represent us well in Olympia? AND going back on his word and accepting special interest money, even a meager $1600, is unacceptable. He's a liar.

Now I'm split. Don Benton isn't who I want to vote for, but David Carrier isn't leaving me a choice.

And besides, the mudslinging seems to be coming from the Democrats, not Benton's side. Anyone checked the mail lately?

by Lisa Henry : 10/20/08 7:09pm - Report Abuse

I have never been a Don Benton fan becauseI've found he is extreme in his anti-schools beliefs and has been outspoken in opposing public school issues. Like most Americans I am both a product of public schools and a parent of public school children. When I went to Olympia to speak on behalf of increased matching bond funds for Battle Ground Schools, he purposely avoided speaking with myself and my three young children who were with me, even darting onto the House (not Senate) floor to prevent my approach. It was very different than any of my other legislators, and even the legislators from neighboring districts who were happy to talk to me whether they agreed with me or not.
Pro-school is pro-American and pro-Family in my opinion. My children have been in underfunded schools most of their life, yet the commitment of the teachers, administrators, and staff have allowed them to thrive and do quite well on all the standardized tests save my special needs child.
I am heartily voting for David Carrier and hope that many others will join me for a positive change in the 17th District.