Candidate Paul Sanford Criticizes Givhan’s Money Sources
04/17/2009

Senate Republican candidate Paul Sanford today chided his opponent’s campaign financing sources, saying that candidates who accept the lion’s share of their donations from political action committees should be called into question by the voters.

According to campaign finance reports filed with the Alabama Secretary of State last Wednesday, Republican candidate Sam Givhan received 80 percent of his contributions ($37,350 of $46,900) between March 6th and April 14th from special interest political action committees. Mr. Sanford reported during the same time period that he raised $9,564, with one contribution of $1,000 (ten percent) from the Retailers of Alabama PAC, of which he is a member.

"I question someone’s ability to fight special interest groups if the major source of their campaign funding comes from such groups. My opponent took 80 percent of his money from PACs, and that is a major cause for concern," Mr. Sanford said. "Public service is about representing the people, not being beholden to powerful lobbyists and special interests," he added.

Paul Sanford is a Republican running in next Tuesday’s runoff for the Alabama Senate to replace Parker Griffith. He and his wife own and operate “little Paul’s Barbecue” in Huntsville. They have two children, Chase and Ryan.