Details about this story

• Source: Louisville Courier-Journal
• Date: October 01, 2007
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: Tom Loftus
• Topics: Campaign Finance
• Data Types: State Data
• Description/Excerpt: A Courier-Journal review of the 16,422 itemized contributions in reports filed by the 10 candidates in the two gubernatorial primaries raises troubling questions about how closely campaign finance laws were followed. The newspaper found that, among the 7,217 individuals listed as giving the $1,000 maximum contribution, there were thousands of people of means, including attorneys, doctors and developers. But there were also 47 students, 36 office managers, 31 secretaries, 16 bookkeepers, 14 administrative assistants, 12 clerks, five paralegals, five factory workers and three receptionists. In addition, there are 702 contributors for whom the campaign receiving the money failed to list an occupation -- as required by state law. The law -- in an effort to curtail the influence of wealthy special interests -- limits to $1,000 the amount any person or political action committee can give to a candidate for state office.