Tennessee Election Finance Reporting Lacks Transparency For Those Not “In-The-Know”

Image Credit: Andre Porter (imagN Images) / CC

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

With new campaign finance “transparency” legislation passed in the last session of the Tennessee General Assembly, political candidates for both state and local offices must now file major contributions and expenditures that occur during the final days before an election with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.

However, for those wishing to track candidates and their associated PACs campaign contributions and expenditures, there is a catch.

A simple search of the Online Campaign Finance database will not necessarily reveal all contributions and expenses.

This search only reveals those contributions and expenditures that are filed electronically.

To see all contributions and expenditures, one must access a separate menu – “Completed Interim Reports” and then click on Interim Reports – Paper Filings.

For 2022, there are currently 34 paper-filed reports that are separate from those reported in electronic filings.

While all reports are available to the public, the fact that two sets of books are kept for each candidate is not made clear by anyone visiting the website.

The Registry could address this by requiring all reports be filed electronically or simply make it clear that there are two separate places to search to gather the information.

Last Friday, The Tennessee Journal (TNJ) reported that roughly half-a-million dollars of last minute expenditures were reported shortly before the primary election on August 4th.  However, nearly the same amount again went undisclosed until the quarterly filings were submitted in October.

Most of the paper filings were from local candidates, a few county political party organizations and several came from Political Action Committees.

Of note, the paper filings reveal that $11,725.80 was spent by Senate Speaker Randy McNally’s PAC (McPAC) that didn’t appear to be included within the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance list of interim disclosures.

However, TNJ reports that spokespersons for McNally claim the disclosure was emailed to the Registry on July 27th.

Of note to Tennessee Conservative readers, the $11,725.80 was paid out to Direct Edge Campaigns, a campaign consultant firm in Nashville, and was listed as an “Mail – Independent expenditure opposing Gary Humble.” 

Gary Humble of Tennessee Stands, was a candidate opposing incumbent Senate Majority leader Jack Johnson (R–Franklin-District 23) for his long-held seat before losing to the incumbent by a narrow margin in the primary.

McNally also has two other paper filings for 2022 dated July 27th and August 3rd

The first shows another payment to Direct Edge in the amount of $24,737.62.

And the second, reveals campaign contributions totalling $6,600.

Also of note, the paper filings reveal last minute campaign contributions for Senator Richard Briggs (R-District 7-Knoxville) in the amount of $6,200 and expenses totalling $48,980.84.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com

2 thoughts on “Tennessee Election Finance Reporting Lacks Transparency For Those Not “In-The-Know”

  • November 3, 2022 at 9:16 am
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    The only people who should be able to contribute to a candidate are those that can vote for the candidate. If you live in California should should not be able to contribute to a candidate who is running for Office in TN. Corporations can’t vote. No contributions. Let’s take the money out of elections.

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  • November 3, 2022 at 1:46 pm
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    I agree with Jean. No other state or even within the state lacking the power to vote for a candidate should be allowed into the pigpen. Take the money out of politics in TN

    Reply

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