They sent out one of those mailers–you know, a ‘Call Krista and Tell Her She’s the Bestest Legislator EVER’ piece. (Yes, I’ve seen the piece, can’t print it b/c it would reveal the recipient.)
However, oopsies, they (we can guess who ‘they’ are, and we will) did not mention who paid for the piece. Despite the efforts of whichever Koch Bro still strides the earth, that’s still a campaign violation in Delaware. Dark money is not yet the law in The Corporate State.
The almost-certain sponsors of this mailer? These guys–the so-called ‘Alliance To Protect Delaware’s Future’. Look at that Murderers’ Row Of Special Interests.
Jeez, you’d think that the law firm coordinating the whole thing would know how to ensure that whatever these corporate titans bankroll would conform to the law. Although, perhaps they’re so used to ignoring the law that they just figured they could ignore it again.
What’s that, you say? There’s another possibility? It could be from the Speaker’s Slush Fund sponsored by Phil Shawe? Why, yes, yes it could be. An inspirational quote from the Speaker:
Minor-Brown also asserted that anyone donating to the PAC will be supporting the Democratic Party broadly, and not her individually.
“They’re supporting the mission of the party,” she said. “It doesn’t mean they’re supporting my mission solely, and it doesn’t mean that I’m for sale, or bought and sold.”
Stating the obvious, it doesn’t mean that she’s not ‘for sale, or bought and sold’ either. And, it resonates with the level of incompetence we’ve come to expect from this Speaker.
Anyway, I’m merely the reporter. Someone committed an election law violation. Will the AG or the Elections Commissioner bother to investigate, or will this just be shrugged off as more Delaware Way business as usual?
Rhetorical question, I know.
Better than calling Krista, come see her in Sharpley (opposite the Unitarian Church) on Monday fron 6-7 next to the Mr. Softee truck. Tell her what you think in person, and decide whether her free ice cream offer is enough to buy your vote.
Is she really doing that?
Wonder which corporate titan is picking up that bill…
She signed the message, distributed via the Sharpley Civic Association email.
Could be Greg Lavelle…
Then may we assume that the Sharpley Civic Association will also send out an invitation from her opponent for an event he is doing in the neighborhood?
Rob Bahnsen has probably knocked on every door in Sharpley already, and twice at my house. Krista is investing in ice cream rather than face to face communication.
A certain well known TV10 reporter lives within sight of the Unitarian Church, just saying.
Understood, but since when does a civic association promote one candidate over another!? If Greg Lavelle is supporting Krista that says A LOT.
Uh, sorry for that link to Matt Hennesy’s injury.
Um, correcting it now.
But no mention of the actual candidate – her opponent’s campaign finance gaff. Hmmm. Whoops – guess gambling and free trips for contributions are totally ok… but guess not since they took down the tournament.
Is a paid for necessary if there’s no electioneering?
Wondering if WFP will be included as an in kind if they share the results of the “poll” they did today with the candidates they are supporting? There was also no paid for which I believe is an FCC violation. 😬
The hypocrisy is wild. We don’t even do this in Sussex county. Thankfully.
Facts, please, facts.
Yes, a paid for by is required when it’s a 3rd Party advertiser. The piece, btw, was clearly electioneering.
(10) a. “Electioneering communication” means a communication by any individual or other person (other than a candidate committee or a political party) that:
1. Refers to a clearly identified candidate; and
2. Is publicly distributed within 30 days before a primary election or special election, or 60 days before a general election to an audience that includes members of the electorate for the office sought by such candidate. For purposes of this section, the term “general election” shall include any annual election for 1 or more members of a school board pursuant to § 1072(c) of Title 14.
§ 8021. Identification of purchaser.
(b) All third-party advertisements having a fair market value of $500 or more, except printed items with a surface of less than 9 square inches, shall include prominently the statement:
“Paid for by [name of political committee or other person paying for such third-party advertisement. Learn more about [name of person] at [Commissioner of Elections’ web address].”
The code defines “third-party advertisements” as an independent expenditure or an electioneering communication.
The mailer is not an electioneering communication but may be (I haven’t seen the mailer) an independent expenditure but only if it is “expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate…” There is grey area there. Simply saying “Candidate A is great” is not expressly advocating the election or defeat of them whereas something that said “Vote for Candidate A” would be.
You’re wrong. In Delaware, such pieces are required to identify who paid for the piece.
You think I just made this up? A couple of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the state on such issues identified the mailer as illegal w/o the disclaimer.
Can you show me the code? Not arguing. Learning.
Or the rule or regulation…
You replied to me and kind of came at me hard when I said if it qualifies as an independent expenditure then it would require it. I haven’t seen the mailer so the question is whether it is “expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate…” If it is not doing that then it is not an independent expenditure under the law and no disclosure is required. If it IS doing that then it is an independent expenditure and disclosure is required.
When two attorneys with election expertise state that it is required, I believe them.
Especially when we’ve seen pieces like this in Delaware for several consecutive election cycles–ALL with the disclaimer.
Are you an attorney, one w/o an axe to grind?
If not, stop trying to defend this. I’ll betcha that, from now on, these pieces will have the disclaimer.
Just as the law requires.
Yes I am an attorney in Delaware which is why I went straight to the statute and yes I’ve dealt with campaign finance and election issues.
Post the mailer and I’ll give you my honest assessment. My guess though (reading between the lines) is that it does not expressly advocate for election or defeat and that’s why you are fighting my interpretation which is just a literal recitation of the statute.
I have 0 horse in this race (not my rep, not an election I particularly care about) and more just chimed in because I have knowledge of the laws around this issue that was being openly debated here. I mistakenly believed an open debate on the law here would be welcome but instead have been met with responses not actually analyzing the merits of anything I have written.
How did you know about the poll if you are from Sussex… seems fishy…
Have you heard of communication? It’s Delaware. People talk. 🎣
“We don’t even do this in Sussex County.”
Maybe it’s because of the literacy rate.
I know about the “gambling” thing even though that’s total BS, but I’m curious where the free trips for contributions thing comes from. That’s certainly a new one to me. I don’t even get free trips and I work for the campaign
Purely disgusting use of alliteration — I hope Dr. Rob is proud of his supporters.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Kids, I’ve learned one thing over years of doing this–when a bunch of new respondents come over here with spurious allegations and freak-outs, it means that the campaign is freaking out.
Oh, one more thing–Rob Bahnsen isn’t even endorsed by WFP, making TD’s assertion a, what’s the word I’m looking for, LIE.
Oh, I see. You’re alluding to the K’s.
All I could think of was Krusty The Klown’s Kar. Because that’s what this sophomoric exercise in empty electioneering approximates.
Try not to get so offended all the time.
I think one point everyone is missing about this mailer is how silly it looks / is. It is asking residents to thank Krista for affordable housing and available healthcare… two things that we do not have? Also it looks like either an eight-year-old or AI made the graphics (no offense to third graders). If I were Krista, I would very upset about the “effort” her third part PACs are putting in for her. With all that money you would expect a graphic that actually touts things she has accomplished. I am guessing the second round will be better.
Anywho, I look forward to saying hi to her at this ice cream event. I hear that the event is being sponsored by ATT, Tesla, and whoever else wants her to win.
Don’t forget META.
I wish I had the confidence to ignore a neighborhood (and its annual meetings) for 4 years and then show up with an ice cream truck to try to get the voters to forget. I’m guessing all of our potholes that we have had for years will magically be fixed in the next three months…. all it takes is a primary opponent
Question: What happens when an insecure bullying narcissist runs against a well respected Shrink?
Answer: Read comment section above!
Hey Joe, want some free (paid for by Elon Musk) ice cream?
‘Musk Melon’ flavor?
Gotta be.
What would you do for a Krista Klondike bar???
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