Donation swap sparks controversy

AUGUSTA – The Maine Democratic Party filed a complaint Monday with the state campaign watchdog agency over donations of five dollars each that two gubernatorial candidates gave to each other.

Independent Barbara Merrill and Republican Chandler Woodcock made $5 donations to each other within a day of the other in March, the Democratic Party said.

The campaigns for Merrill and Woodcock are both publicly funded through the Clean Election Act. To qualify, gubernatorial candidates must collect 2,500 donations of $5 each.

The Democrats contend that donations by Merrill and Woodcock to help each other appear to violate a law that says a payment, gift or anything of value may not be given in exchange for a qualifying contribution.

“There is some evidence to suggest a quid quo pro,” said Ben Dudley, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party.

If so, it could be a violation of the Maine Clean Elections law, no matter how small the donation, he said.

“Regardless, this appears to be a violation of the spirit of the law and the public trust,” said Dudley.

Woodcock said nothing illegal was done when he and Merrill swapped $5 donations when they met up at a sportsman’s show in March. The contribution symbolized his support for the Clean Election system and for a competitive gubernatorial campaign, Woodcock said.

“I’m stunned the governor is still engaging in this negative campaigning” through the Democratic Party, the GOP candidate said.

While Gov. John Baldacci, the Democratic candidate for re-election, is privately financed, the party supports the Clean Elections system and believes the law has been successful, Dudley said.

A message left with Merrill’s campaign was not immediately returned.

The state Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices will take up the Democrats’ complaint about Merrill and Woodcock at its next meeting, Aug. 23, said Paul Lavin, the commission’s assistant director.