McCarter hit for campaign spending
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The FEC can get really cranky about stuff like this…
State Sen. Kyle McCarter spent more than $33,000 on a campaign consultant in the four months before he announced his bid for Congress against Republican U.S. Rep. John Shimkus.
While that kind of spending isn’t unusual in the lead-up to a run for political office, the Republican from Lebanon tapped his state campaign account for the consulting work — a move that experts say likely would be prohibited under federal campaign laws if the work went toward his race for Congress. […]
“It’s not related to Congress,” McCarter said of the spending. […]
A review of records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections shows that between June 1 and Sept. 29, McCarter wrote three checks worth a total of $33,675 to Downers Grove-based Isaiah Consulting.
By contrast, McCarter previously used Isaiah for three campaign mailing jobs worth a total of $1,232.
It’s not a lot of money at all, but, again, the FEC can be evil meanies.
- hot chocolate - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
33k? Wow. Here’s some good advice, free of charge. Don’t run. You will be crushed and your political career will be over as a result of the intra-party squabble that will come of your candidacy.
- Adam Smith - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
So completely typical of “true believers,” both left and right. Because we are so pure of heart our transgressions are immaterial.
This is a real violation. Spending $33k of state campaign funds to benefit a congressional run is a serious issue. It just doesn’t pass the smell test to claim that during the summer of an off year in a safe senate district, McCarter suddenly has to spend over $10k/mo on consultants and then suddenly announces for Congress. A top tier state senate campaign would rarely spend $10k/mo on consulting in the last three months of a election cycle.
McCarter was either sloppy, ignorant or dishonest. In any case, he’s been caught and should not be allowed to weasel out of this.
BTW-Anyone know who Isaiah Consulting is?
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:17 pm:
Who would like to come to the Senator’s aid?
- illini - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:30 pm:
Damn, I can’t believe my State Senator was this dumb - well maybe I do,
Kyle McCarter has always been about himself, his personal agenda and his misguided attempts to elevate his importance in the national discourse. He is, at best, a small player on the national stage who is looking for recognition and some semblance of respectability. This, hopefully, will not happen.
Granted, I am not a fan of John Shimkus, but have much lower esteem for Kyle McC!!!!!!!!!
John is looking to finish his 20 years ( not nearly as productive as Ken Gray or previous Reps from this area ), but at least I know how ineffective and unproductive he has been in impacting my area of Southern Illinois. Kyle would be even worse.
“It’s not related to Congress,” yeah, and I have a bridge that you can buy cheap.
- Whatever - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
Isaiah Consulting is Ron Sandack’s consultant. Great website!
http://www.isaiahconsulting.com/
- Kane Conservative - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
In talking to Van Holt in the past, she apparently does work with Rep. Anthony and is really tied in to Rasmussen’s husband from IPI…this is amateur hour stuff for sure.
- Chad - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
Yes, the FEC will open an endlessly disturbing MUR file on this if anyone writes in a complaint. Unlike our courteous folks down at the state board, the FEC folks love to “love you”. Free way to tie up the amateurs.
- illini - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:27 pm:
Sorry Whatever - but their website is still “under construction” - was looking forward to reviewing it!
- Century Club - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:30 pm:
You’d think the first bit of consulting would have been, “you should not be paying me from this account.”
- South Central - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:32 pm:
Yes, Illini, I think you’re right–our state senator is not the smartest guy in the room. This wouldn’t be the first time he confused state and Federal laws and jurisdictions.
- illini - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:47 pm:
Thanks South Central - didn’t think for a while that that there were any of us from the area that were reading or commenting about our illustrious State Senator!
Stay on top of this race - should be interesting!
- Double Standard? - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:48 pm:
Mike Bost did the same thing when he was a federal candidate, evening running radio ads and accepting state campaign contributions.
- illini - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:03 pm:
Double Standard - are you sure? Would not surprise me, if that is true ( and MB was my Representative ). You know that some of us in our mid to late 60’s might have selective memories and I am not going to contradict you - deep down, I suspect you are correct.
I do remember Jason very well - and damn, I miss him ( as do a few other commenters ).
Let us watch this race closely and be ready to comment when Rich puts up an interesting news story!
- illini - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:41 pm:
Austin Blvd - have you had any takers in the last 3 hours to defend McCarter - didn’t think so!
- Double Standard? - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:46 pm:
Bost’s state reports are available on the state board’s website and looking at his 2013 and especially 2014 prove that his account was very active while being a federal candidate.