Local Dark Money - Flipbook - Page 14
name recognition and the impression of wide
support from dierent organizations.
I began writing, researching and speaking
about local dark money after Frank Kovach
announced he would not run for re-election. In
the ensuing years I’ve shared my work with
Republican, Democratic and Non-partisan
organizations. I like to ask these plugged-in
citizens to raise their hand if they can name
their five County Commissioners. In a room of
100 people, fewer than 5 hands go up. I also
ask them to guess how many votes Eric
Robinson got. Most of the time guesses range
between 20,000-60,000. I watch their faces
become quizzical and amazed when I tell them
the correct answer is zero. Mr. Robinson did
not gather a single vote. Because Eric
Robinson ran unopposed, his name never
appeared on the ballot. There aren’t many
candidates who want to take on an opponent
who manages scores of political committees
with millions in funding.
