Tag: Thomas Massie

Money in Politics

Massie won’t pay six-figure tribute to congressional campaign fundraisers
Thomas Massie
Massie

Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie is the lone holdout in the state’s Washington delegation, refusing to make six-figure contributions to congressional committees from their own campaign funds and PACs — a system both parties impose.

Massie, who represents the fourth congressional district from Lewis County, likened the dues system to “extortion,” because he said those who give win an edge in better committee assignments, according to a USA Today report this morning. He’s given only $6,000 of an expected $240,000.

Other delegation members denied they were giving under duress. How much the Republican members donated during the 2013-14 campaign cycle to the Republican Congressional Committee, according to The Courier-Journal:

The delegation’s lone Democrat, John Yarmuth of Louisville in the third district, gave $265,000 during the 2014 cycle to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

 

Money in Politics

As NRA readies big annual meeting here, equally big Ky. political donations emerge

Some 70,000 National Rifle Association members are holding their annual meeting in Louisville this week, a four-day gathering that will include speeches on Friday by White House hopeful Donald Trump, plus Gov. Matt Bevin, Sen. Rand Paul, and others.

McConnell,Mitch-012309-18422-jf 0024
McConnell

The group gave $810,462 to federal candidates for the 2014 election, including a total $22,900 to six Kentucky Republicans, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics:

  • Sen. Mitch McConnell: $9,900
  • Rep. Hal Rogers: $5,000
  • Rep. Brett Guthrie: $2,500
  • Rep. Ed Whitfield: $2,500
  • Rep. Andy  Barr: $2,000
  • Rep. Thomas Massie: $1,000

Overall, the NRA’s Political Victory Fund has given $197,609 to Kentucky congressional candidates since 1998, according to this new Courier-Journal story.

Unexpectedly, the Responsive Politics center’s data, from the Federal Election Commission, doesn’t show any NRA money for Sen. Paul. And I don’t find any going to Bevin, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics’ data for the governor; it tracks campaign money at the state level.

The NRA meeting and trade show will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center; more key information in today’s CJ, which also reports on the group’s history and rise to one of the nation’s most powerful organizations.

Related: etiquette advice for party hostesses who don’t want gun-totin’ guests.