Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

McCarter hit for campaign spending

Posted in:

Illinois

* 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.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:29 pm

Comments

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.

Comment by hot chocolate Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:32 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?

Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:38 pm
Who would like to come to the Senator’s aid?

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:17 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.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:30 pm
Isaiah Consulting is Ron Sandack’s consultant. Great website!

http://www.isaiahconsulting.com/

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:35 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.

Comment by Kane Conservative Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:56 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.

Comment by Chad Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 5:05 pm
Sorry Whatever - but their website is still “under construction” - was looking forward to reviewing it!

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:27 pm
You’d think the first bit of consulting would have been, “you should not be paying me from this account.”

Comment by Century Club Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:30 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.

Comment by South Central Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:32 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!

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:47 pm
Mike Bost did the same thing when he was a federal candidate, evening running radio ads and accepting state campaign contributions.

Comment by Double Standard? Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:48 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!

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:03 pm
Austin Blvd - have you had any takers in the last 3 hours to defend McCarter - didn’t think so!

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:41 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.

Comment by Double Standard? Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 7:46 pm