House District 95 Republican candidate Elijah Davidson is calling for stricter rules on gifts and campaign financing.
Davidson said he has put in the hard work campaigning and knocking on doors while not accepting support from out-of-state political action committees (PACs). Now, he wants the state to tighten ethics rules governing campaign finance reporting so that PAC money can be traced more easily.
He wants PACs to register under a specific name or business with a physical address.
“It can't be to some P.O. box or UPS box in some random state,” Davidson told 1819 News. “I think that we need some kind of rule around that to kind of clear up who's in charge of the organization, sending out these mailers.”
Davidson emphasized the need for greater transparency regarding PAC support.
The Virginia-based American Conservative Fund (ACF) has paid for numerous campaign mailers and TV ads in Alabama. In the House District 95 campaign, ACF has supported State Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley).
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“Sunshine is the best medicine, I guess is a good way to sum it up,” Davidson said. “And just kind of strengthening the transparency rules around how candidates are funding their campaigns would be a good start.”
Individual candidates must file campaign finance reports, but PACs allow donors to indirectly support candidates. PACs are required to register with the Secretary of State’s Office and are required to file monthly financial reports if they spend or receive over $1,000. Major contributions of $20,000 or greater must be reported within two days.
ACF has not responded to inquiries from 1819 News. Candidates questioned about ACF support told 1819 News they were not involved in producing campaign material. Holk-Jones has not responded to an inquiry from 1819 News.
“The system's kind of built to where these politicians and these PACs can kind of shift money around and make it hard for people to kind of follow the paper trail,” Davidson added.
Davidson said the need for transparency is evident on the other side of the coin as well. The American Values PAC sent mailers attacking Holk-Jones, and Davidson said he wants to know who is supporting his other opponent, businessman Joe Freeman.
“It’s very hard to trace how these groups are being funded because the rules are so ambiguous, and I think we need to clean up,” Davidson added. “
Davidson also wants to see rules on public officials accepting gifts strengthened because he believes gift-giving has created a culture in Montgomery that makes it ripe for corruption. In fact, he said there shouldn’t be any acceptance of gifts.
“I think that we need to draw a clear line in the sand, saying that it does not matter who you're friends with, you shouldn't be accepting gifts while in public office, period,” Davidson said. “I don't care if it's a box of cigars or a brand spanking new Yellowfin boat. You shouldn't be accepting gifts … If my saying that state representatives should not be accepting gifts at all is radical, then fine. Call me radical!”
Davidson is consulting with legal experts to craft specific legal changes, including giving the Alabama Ethics Commission greater subpoena powers.
The primary election is on May 19. The primary runoff is June 16.
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