Rep. Chuck Sims, Part V. Our hats off to Ms. Harris County who says we have a remedy, but not a deterrent, to party switching.

In a 11-09-04 post, Rep. Chuck Sims, Part III, I noted some of the emails I was getting expressing outrage about Rep. Sims' recent switch, such emails ranging from accusing him of treachery and line of emails wanting to have what I called a clawback clause.

As a result of this post, I received an email from one of my favorite people addressing the latter issue on paybacks.

Without question, this person is the Best in the West -- West Georgia that is. Not only is she a great Democrat, but she is truly a kind and gracious individual whose care and concern for mankind seems endless. I hope I do not embarrass her by saying so, but I do love her. The next time you see her, express a word of appreciation for all she does for the Party. It is a lot.

Joann Harrison, County Chair of Harris County, is always pumping me up with kind emails that keep me excited about doing this blog, emails such as "Keep up the great blog. You're my wonderful link to Ga politics!" I love you Joann.

Pardon for the digression, and now back to business.

Joann responded to the issue of paying funds back if one switches from our Party, but she inadvertently did it on a different p0st. Thus I am posting her comment that is to the post that followed Sims Part III.
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Sid, you said people were e-mailing you asking:

"Does the Democratic Party have any recourse for the amount of money it may have put into his campaign, and if not, why can't candidates be required to sign a form requiring them to return all campaign contributions should theychange parties after getting elected as a Democrat? Why can't they be sued for something like 'false advertising'?"

The new by laws adapted by the State Committee in June have this clause in place:

SECTION 8. CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES

BL 1.8.1 Any contributions to a candidate for public office shall be accompanied by a cover letter which shall state in substance, “This contribution is made on the express condition that, after election, you remain a member of the Democratic Party. Your acceptance and/or use of this contribution is your personal acknowledgement and contract that should you win election yet at any time prior to the end of your term change parties or leave the Democratic Party, you will repay these amounts and any costs, including attorney’s fees, associated with seeking such repayment.”

BL 1.8.2 The State Party shall seek reimbursement of any contribution, whether real or in-kind, made to a candidate who qualifies for office as a Democrat and, after qualification, switches to another party.

Source: http://www.georgiaparty.com/party_resources/bylaws.asp

This is all well and good but the republican party will be more than happy to reimburse that money to the party switcher to gain their support and rub it in our faces. So where's the detriment?

I have no use for any party switcher, either way. You just can't trust them ever again. I always thought it was about principals but I've learned alot of things the hard way this past year.

Thanks!
Joann
HarrisCoDemocrat@aol.com
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Thank you Joann. I especially like that part in the bylaws about attorney's fees. Bring 'em on. And I know West Georgia appreciates all you do for our great Party. And it is great; if we forget this, we forget why God made little green apples and made us Democrats.

Another email I received that just noted that the State (and most counties) now have such language, added this factor to that observed by Joann that the GOP would happily pick up any costs of switching.

"Such reimbusement," this person writes in the email, "does not take into consideration individual donors who feel betrayed. In addition, [and with respect to Rep. Chuck Sims], it cannot in any way ever account for the eight years of time and energy many have given this candidate because he was a Democrat judged to be honest and willing to represent the viewpoint."