Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party received more than $200,000 in illicit campaign funds from another state official, the money was later returned, according to reports Tuesday.
Beshear and State Democrats received According to the Kentucky Lantern, about $202,000 was donated from the credit card of Randall Weddle, the Democratic mayor of London, a town in southern Kentucky.Contributions per election he had exceeded $2,100 limit For individuals who donate to candidates, according to the Kentucky Register of Elections. (Related: Kentucky Governor Daniel Cameron Wins Republican Gubernatorial Primary, Challenges Democratic Governor)
The donation was allegedly made by Weddle’s family or another individual who was an employee of his private company, Weddle WB Group, using Weddle’s credit card, according to The Lantern. Bundling is legal for a person to raise money from others and donate it in full to a candidate, but an individual cannot exceed state campaign donation limits.
#new | Andy Beshear hasn’t appeared since he appeared at Fancy Farm’s political picnic and fundraiser, “The Super Bowl of Kentucky Politics.” #kygov 2019 Candidate.
I just asked Gov. Andy Beshear if he plans to attend Fancy Farm 2023 on the first Saturday in August. pic.twitter.com/bMmwJbcmev
— Mario Anderson 📺 (@MarioAndersonTV) June 19, 2023
Beshear’s campaign manager said each of the six had $2,000 in donations, with $190,000 reimbursed by the Kentucky Democratic Party. “[W]We have taken proactive steps to ensure that something like this never happens again,” the camp said.
But Republicans were quick to react to the news of the donation as evidence of corruption. “Andy Beshear only returned this money after being embroiled in a paying scandal.” tweeted Sean Sutherd is the spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron and the Kentucky Republican Party. “This is the latest in a long pattern of Andy being caught with fraudulent campaign contributions and selling the government to the highest bidder.”
“[He] We gave away $1.4 million of taxpayer money to the same donors,” said Courtney Alexander, a national spokeswoman for the Republican Governors Association, in an email to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Not only does this reek of campaign finance corruption, but it’s not the first time Mr Beshear has accepted illegal donations… Taxpayers have a right to know if their money was used as a political bounty. ”
Beshear is seeking re-election and will face Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron.Current polls show Cameron and Beshear winning Tied 47% each in the gubernatorial race, according to RealClearPolitics. Elections are held in odd-numbered years on November 7.
Beshear’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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