RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina state employees are spending thousands of dollars to get their bosses re-elected, but it is not illegal for state workers to donate to the political re-election campaigns of those for whom they work.
The act is forbidden at the federal level. Hill staffers cannot donate to the campaigns of their bosses, but they are allowed to donate to political action committees, and congressional members for whom they are not working.
North Carolina law simply says a boss cannot "coerce" his or her employees to donate.
"You don't really need to have the conversation, you can even just have a raised eyebrow," said Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center. "Everyone gets exactly what the meaning is, that you're supposed to fork over part of the money that you earned to your political boss."
Eyewitness News reviewed campaign finance filings for several statewide department heads who are up for re-election. Of the candidates we researched, North Carolina Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Steve Troxler received the most from employees.
NCACS staff donated more than $5,900 to the Troxler campaign in the first half of 2016. Auditor Beth Wood's employees were right behind with $3,800. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin had 21 employee donations worth $1,500.
All candidates whom Eyewitness News surveyed reported at least one donation from a department employee during the first half of 2016.
"Maybe one of the dirty secrets of Washington is that most staffers are really happy to have this law in place," McGehee said.
Eyewitness News contacted the campaigns for Wood, Troxler and Goodwin but did not immediately hear back.
Cox Media Group
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