Continuing coverage of the League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night for those seeking State Senate seats looking at answers to the question of campaign contributions.

And the candidates had a minute to answer the question

My notes are below:

32nd District

Craig Wilcox

• 

  Mary Mahady

  Republican Craig Wilcox – need transparency in government and compliance with the Open Meetings Act.

• Democrat Mary Mahady – more transparency.  Wants campaign finance reporting to show who contracts are given to.  Legislators should abstain from voting if contributor benefiting.

33rd District

Don DeWitte

• 

  Nancy Zettler

  Republican Don DeWitte – pointed out that anyone can look at who gives what.  Said that the law is very clear about conflicts of interest.  “If one has a fiduciary interest,” required to abstain or recuse oneself.

• Democrat Nancy Zettler – “Get rid or dark money in this state. ”  She specifically mentioned Dan Proft and complained that “candidates get to pretend there’s no coordination with candidates.”  Finally, “need a lot more cracking down at the state and local level.”

26th District

Don McConchie

Tom Georges

• Republican Dan McConchie – “What’s corrupt is that $5,600” is the maximum than an individual can contribute to a candidate, but “Mike Madigan can get get $1 million, $10 million, $20 million and he uses that money to [force candidates to support his agenda].  It doesn’t allow any individual to go out and raise enough money to run a campaign.”
• Democrat Tom Georges – referred to an “unfair system, an unfair playing field.”