FALLON: Patty Judge Fundraising "Legal, but not Ethical"Rep. Ed Fallon calls for Clean Elections law in Iowa and warns against the influence of corporate hog confinement operators
State Representative and gubernatorial candidate Ed Fallon (D-Des Moines) held a press conference at the Capitol this afternoon (Thursday) to discuss how Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge's campaign finance disclosure reports show the need for a Clean Elections Law in Iowa.
"Patty's report, quite frankly, troubles me quite a bit," Fallon said. "All across Iowa, family farmers and rural residents are deeply concerned about the growing power of corporate hog confinement operators. It's disturbing to see such a large amount of money coming from these groups to one candidate."
Judge's 2005 campaign contributions included $10,000 from Alina and Peter DeCoster, another $10,000 from Leah and Sholom Rubashkin of AgriProcessors, as well as contributions from Syngenta, Monsanto and Dow Agro Sciences.
"I think Patty Judge would say these contributions are completely legal, and they are," Fallon said. "The problem is the rules allow influence-peddling at a level that most Iowans are only beginning to become aware of. It's perfectly legal, but is it ethical? I think not."
Fallon said he will continue to alert the media to his findings in the reports of other candidates in the coming weeks.
"I would ask the public to be very vigilant about this, and to learn who is donating to the other candidates," Fallon said. "The influence of big money in politics affects every other issue, and is really the critical issue in this campaign."
