Legislator told to quit over campaign violation

[Rose Siding]

In a historic move, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted Thursday to oust state Rep. David Burnell Smith from office for overspending his public campaign limits by more than $6,000.

The 5-0 vote marks the first time in the United States that a legislator has been ordered to forfeit his office for violating a publicly financed election system.

Smith, who did not attend the meeting, said he will immediately appeal the panel's decision to an administrative law judge, vowing, "I have not yet begun to fight!" The Scottsdale Republican will continue serving in the Legislature pending the appeal.
...
"The commission was wrong," said Smith, an attorney who blames his troubles on political enemies. "My story has yet to be told fully. And when it is, I will be vindicated. There's forces out there that will not listen, and they have one goal in mind and that's to destroy David Smith."

When asked to name the "forces," Smith mentioned The Arizona Republic and Planned Parenthood.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0325cleanelection25.html

[johnfunk]

1. Take a look at the photo of this guy in the linked story -- creepy!

He looks like a cross between Sam Donaldson and Hannibal Lecter after one Xanax too many -- that has to be the worst Republican hairpiece I've seen this year!

WARNING: Not for the squeamish or young children!

[zbdent]

2. I guess that the "rule of law" doesn't apply to him, eh?

Of course! He's a Republican!

[Richard Steele]

3. Love that quote from him!

"Forces out there"....and referring to himself in the third person!

Were there strawberries involved?

[Sal316]

4. He's been whining "persecution" since day one!

"WAAAAHHH...They're out to get me because I'm a conservative Republican!"


Nevermind that:

a) You signed on to public financing through the AZ Clean Elections Commission.
b) You signed an affadavit stating you knew the legalities of such a choice.
c) You violated campaign finance laws by shifting money around to hide it and not reporting overspending.
d) An independent audit determined the same thing.
e) The person who filed the complaint was one of your Republican primary opponents.

Ugh, I can't stand this whiner. But....look for Clean Elections to die in AZ because of this windbag.