Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco: on Government Reform


Mike Pence: Campaign was for-profit business; later ruled illegal

[In 1990], in Pence's finance report, he registered his campaign as a for-profit business. Pence said he did it because he was serious about running this country like a business. Deep in the report, Pence was spending campaign cash on personal bills. Pence had decided months ago to supplement Karen's salary with campaign cash. He spent $922 a month to pay their mortgage, $222 a month to pay Karen's car payments. He spent about $13,000 of campaign cash for personal use.

He'd gotten a taste of the campaign cash in 1988, making some of Karen's car payments and no one ever raised any concerns. So he went full blast in 1990. As the news trickled out, Pence became defensive: "I'm not embarrassed that I need to make a living."

Practically, both were right: Campaigning full time cut into time for most regular folks to make a living. Unless they were rich or incumbent, would-be pols would have to stop their primary work to run for office. [The FEC later ruled the practice illegal. --Ed.]

Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p. 69-70 Sep 14, 2019

  • The above quotations are from Piety & Power
    Mike Pence and the Taking of the White House
    by Tom LoBianco    .
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