McSweeney Files Petition Challenges to Both State Rep. Opponents

A press release from State Rep. candidate David McSweeney:

A Personal Statement from David McSweeney

David McSweeney

Today I filed objections to the petitions submitted by my opponents, Kent Gaffney and Danielle Rowe. I have taken this step in order to sustain the integrity of the petition process and to respect the high ethical standards that the people of the 52nd should expect from candidates and elected officials.  I believe that the Illinois State Board of Elections will determine that both of my opponents will not qualify to be on the ballot.

The specifics of my challenge to Mr. Gaffney’s petitions are contained in the complaint that I filed. A primary motivation for my action revolves around the use of Illinois State Government staffers to pass petitions for Mr. Gaffney and the fraud that was subsequently uncovered.  Specifically, the true identities of the actual circulators for many of Mr. Gaffney’s petitions were intentionally falsified and I believe that the intent of the cover up was to mask the amount of government time spent doing campaign work. Thus far, we have obtained the sworn affidavits of 41 citizens of the 52nd district attesting to the fraud and we are continuing to gather information.

With regard to these government paid staffers, we have filed multiple Freedom of Information Act requests and have requested time sheets and documentation of their time. It is illegal to use government resources for campaign purposes and it appears that the fraudulent actions of these staffers with regard to their petition circulation may well be related to an attempt to cover up the level of campaign activity on behalf of Mr. Gaffney. Be assured that we will continue to pursue the truth on this matter.   We will also provide a copy of our objections to the appropriate legal authorities.

My objection to Ms. Rowe’s petitions is based on an analysis of the signatures contained in her petitions. Many of the signatures on her petitions were found to be outside of the district and to be unregistered voters. Ms. Rowe’s petitions fail to meet the 500 valid signature minimum requirement.

Also, of particular concern with regard to Ms. Rowe’s campaign is the involvement of a number of individuals and organizations who have promised the Rowe campaign substantial financial support. Specifically, we have received disturbing reports and evidence that WLS radio personality and Illinois Liberty PAC Chairman Dan Proft, Illinois Policy Institute leader John Tillman, Illinois Opportunity Project Executive Director Matthew Besler, and attorney Patrick Hughes have, while directly coordinating with the Rowe campaign, pledged substantial financial support to Ms. Rowe’s campaign in the form of unlimited independent expenditures through a 501 (c)(4) organization, Illinois Opportunity Project, or a closely affiliated independent expenditure committee.  We’ve also received detailed information about the close and coordinated relationship between the Illinois Policy Institute (a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) entity), Liberty PAC and the Illinois Opportunity Project.

After becoming aware of Ms. Rowe’s supporters’ plans my campaign sent a document entitled “McSweeney Campaign Policy on Independent Expenditures” via certified and registered mail to all of the parties involved. The document outlines the relevant laws regarding such expenditures and specifically focuses on the issue of improper coordination.

We will continue to accept additional information on the coordinated activities of the Rowe campaign and the individuals and entities listed above.  We are prepared to take all necessary and proper legal steps to protect ourselves from the clearly coordinated activities summarized above.  As we continue to receive additional information, we will report any breach in the law and our evidence to the appropriate authorities, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Attorney General, Illinois State Board of Elections and the IRS.

I do not take these actions lightly but they are necessary in order to preserve the integrity of our electoral system.


Comments

McSweeney Files Petition Challenges to Both State Rep. Opponents — 7 Comments

  1. Massive personal financing and tons of money from your cronies in a race doesn’t harm the integrity of the electoral system?

    Unfortunately, it seems that beyond the usual petition challenges in any campaign, David attempts to use intimidation of people and groups who choose to support someone else other than him.

    This is very disturbing — and I’m afraid that it will make him look like a rich temperamental bully with a glass-jaw who thinks that money and swagger can get him what he wants.

    Until now, this race seemed only his to lose.

    It has shades of one of the few failings of Peter Fitzgerald, and once the public — particularly Tea Partiers who are fed up with this in politics — gets that impression of you, all the mailers in the world won’t help you.

    Sad.

  2. BeenThereDoneThat, really?

    You state that there is a problem with a person being successful and having their own money to assist in the finance of their campaign as being harmful to the integrity of the electoral system, yet you are perfectly fine with other individuals ILLEGALLY using government paid staffers to gather petitions, gathering signatures from OUTSIDE the district, and accepting illegal promises of contributions from PAC’s as being perfectly acceptable?!?

    Really?!?

    You’re saying that it is ok to be crooked in a campaign, as long as the crooked campaigner is not rich?!?

    This process of overlooking illegal activity, my friend, is what has ushered in an almost complete collapse of the American economic system!

    When politicians conduct illegal activity for small gains, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will reprise that role for the important issues, as well.

  3. I never believed it was possible for a Republican in Illinois to buy an election. I was wrong.

    This is a sad development. I believe Mr. McSweeney should find a restart button and run like a man an face the challenges ahead. If he can’t take on Rowe and Gaffney how can he handle Madigan?

  4. Well I guess if Mr. McSweeney is afraid to run against Danielle Rowe, Ms. Rowe will not only be the only woman in the race, she’ll need to be the real man in the race as well.

  5. So, Mr. McSweeney is now buying elections and has done something horribly wrong by exposing fraud and illegal activity on the part of his opponents?

    I guess I am not really familiar with Illinois politics, but here in California we do our best to prosecute our law-breakers when they are exposed instead of backing them for political office.

    No wonder your state has more ex-governors in prison than any others and our constitutional law-breaking President hails from your state!

    You make sure your politicians are experienced, hardened criminals before they ever enter office!

  6. Hmmm. Obama won his first election to the Illinois Senate by clearing the ballot with silly petition challenges as well.

    Way to go McSweeny- following in some great footsteps!

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