Members of the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance are calling for U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger to be subpoenaed to investigate alleged collusion involving a political action committee and her son Bobby Harshbarger’s state senate campaign. This comes after a complaint was filed regarding illegal coordination between the two Harshbarger campaigns and the PAC, with concerns of skirting campaign finance laws.
The complaint, filed by Sen. Ken Yager, raised issues of potential collusion and the sharing of a treasurer between the groups. Despite a detailed report from the Attorney General’s Office, some members of the Registry feel that further action is needed to address the matter.
Thomas Datwyler, treasurer for the East Tennessee Conservatives PAC and Congresswoman Harshbarger’s campaign, was at the center of the alleged collusion. However, he refused to be interviewed by investigators, which complicated the outcome of the investigation. The report uncovered a web of connections between Datwyler, dark money groups, and both Harshbarger campaigns.
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has the power to subpoena individuals, but limitations based on state laws have hindered their ability to compel cooperation. The board will potentially address the matter in their upcoming meeting, with the possibility of civil penalties if illegal coordination is found.
The call for further investigation highlights the challenges surrounding dark money in political campaigns and the need for more rigorous oversight. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for campaign finance regulations in Tennessee.
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