In a few short weeks, the Democratic Party of New Hampshire has an important decision: who they’ll nominate to lead our state. Without any doubt, we should choose Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern.
Van Ostern has shown leadership on many issues, but an important one is campaign finance transparency.
Due to New Hampshire’s fundraising laws, candidates aren’t required to disclose their finance numbers or their donors until Aug. 23, a relic of the days when primary campaigns only lasted a few weeks. By which point it’s too late to raise issues with any improprieties before the primary. These lax disclosure laws have earned New Hampshire an “F” from the National Institute on Money in State Politics.
Van Ostern, just like Gov. Hassan did in 2012, announced he would be disclosing his fundraising information in June and called on his Democratic opponents to do the same. This demonstrates leadership by not waiting to be asked to disclose information and a dedication to transparency, one that’s been severely lacking by the Republican gubernatorial candidates.
In this age of unlimited super PAC spending, with laws against super PAC and campaign collusion so weak they’re routinely flouted and with some candidates’ refusal to even disclose a tax return, this transparency is refreshing and a sign of a true leader.
TAYLOR GARVEY PORO
Concord