Ralph Heap gets his cash for Corporation Commission race
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Republican Ralph Heap will finally get the Clean Elections money he needs to run for the Corporation Commission, but he also faces an investigation into his campaign finances.
Why it matters: Heap's campaign has been running without funding since winning the GOP nomination for one of two seats on the Corporation Commission, which regulates utilities and sets rates.
- Early voting begins Oct. 7.
Zoom in: The commission had withheld Heap's campaign funding because he hadn't signed an affidavit attesting to the accuracy of his campaign finance reports.
- Complaints filed against Heap revolved around who paid for his campaign signs, which wasn't disclosed in his campaign finance reports and which he didn't have the Clean Elections funding to pay for.
Yes, but: Mesa Sign Shop owner Jim Torgeson on Friday provided an affidavit to the commission saying he'd provided the signs to Heap on credit, which he described as a common practice.
- Commission executive director Tom Collins said Heap's campaign finance reports were still inaccurate because he didn't report spending or debt for the signs, and that taking on such debt would violate Clean Elections rules.
- Heap's attorney, Timothy La Sota, tells Axios that Heap will disclose the spending when he pays for the signs.
The latest: The Citizens Clean Elections Commission on Friday voted 3-1 to release Heap's campaign funding after he signed the disputed affidavit.
- Collins recommended that the funding still be withheld because Heap had "engaged in illegal activity" by violating Clean Elections rules.
- The commission also unanimously voted on a resolution stating there was reason to believe Heap violated state law or Clean Elections rules, and to proceed with an investigation.
What they're saying: "This is a great victory for Dr. Heap," La Sota tells Axios.
How it works: Clean Elections provides public campaign funding for candidates.
- In exchange, candidates agree not to accept private funding and to abide by Clean Elections rules.
- Corporation Commission candidates receive $147,836 for the primary and $221,754 for the general election.
Catch up quick: Heap, an orthopedic surgeon and state House member, defeated incumbent Corporation Commission chair Nick Myers in last month's GOP primary.
- He and Republican incumbent Kevin Thompson face Democrats Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill.
What's next: Heap also faces a complaint alleging that he didn't disclose who paid to collect the signatures he needed to qualify for the ballot, which La Sota denies.