Report: Ralph Northam Solicited Campaign Contributions During Legislative Session

January 25, 2017

Just like his mentor and right hand man Terry McAuliffe – who is currently under federal investigation for illegal campaign fundraising – Democrat gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam is making it well known that he believes he is above the law in Virginia- according to a new report.

POLITICO reports that the Northam campaign sent out a fundraising email yesterday, despite Virginia law clearly stating that fundraising solicitations by the Northam campaign are prohibited when the Virginia legislature is in session – which it currently is.

“Ralph Northam is desperate to follow in the footsteps of his mentor Terry McAuliffe – and according to this report, he is even willing to break campaign finance laws to do it,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “Virginia currently has a governor in office under federal investigation for illegal fundraising – the Commonwealth doesn’t need another governor with the same problems.”

Background:

POLITICO: “The Northam campaign sent out a fundraising e-mail this afternoon, calling the spot an “attack ad” and accusing Gillespie of “insulting Virginians’ hard-earned economic progress.” (POLITICO Morning Score, 1/25/2017)

Virginia Code “§ 24.2-954: “A: No member of the General Assembly or statewide official and no campaign committee of a member of the General Assembly or statewide official shall solicit or accept a contribution for the campaign committee of any member of the General Assembly or statewide official, or for any political committee, from any person or political committee on and after the first day of a regular session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session.” (Code of Virginia, Campaign Fundraising; Legislative Sessions; Penalties, Accessed 1/25/2017)

Virginia Legislature Is Currently In Session: “The General Assembly meets annually, beginning on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even-numbered years and for 30 days in odd-numbered years, with an option to extend annual sessions for a maximum of 30 days. The Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates, both bodies of the Virginia Legislature, meet in the historic, working Capitol building in Richmond, Virginia.” (Virginia General Assembly, Accessed 1/25/2017)