Posted on: Friday, September 27, 2002

GOP questions contributions to Democrats

Advertiser Staff

The state Campaign Spending Commission will not investigate a complaint by the Hawai'i Republican Party that the Democratic National Committee has exceeded the limit on the amount of money it can give to the state Democratic Party.

Republican Party Chairman Micah Kane called a press conference yesterday to address a statement made by Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who was in Honolulu last weekend. McAu-

liffe said, "As you know, we are entitled to give $50,000 to the state party. We have already given $25,000, so I'm here to give the other $25,000." He also said seven national party staff members would remain in Hawai'i through the general election.

Kane said the staff members should be counted as in-kind contributions, which would put the national party over the $50,000 contribution limit.

Hawai'i Democratic Party chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said McAuliffe misspoke. She said the national committee has contributed only $25,000 in this election cycle. She also said the state party is paying for all employees working on the local campaign. "We are well aware of the legal requirements under campaign spending laws," she said.

Campaign Spending Commission chairman Bob Watada said he is satisfied the Democrats are within the law. "I don't see a violation at this point in time," he said.