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Another case of a government official saying “do what I say, not what I do.”
Twenty-five percent of campaign donations came from insurance industry
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The two candidates for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner drew at least one-quarter of their campaign contributions since January 2005 from out-of-state donors, campaign data shows.
The Oklahoman’s analysis of campaign records from January 2005 through July shows about $1 out of every $3 raised by Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland came from out-of-state contributors. Her opponent, term-limited state Rep. Bill Case, R-Midwest City, reported raising one-fourth of his donations from out-of-state sources.
The statewide average for out-of-state donations is slightly less than $1 in every $10, which is on par with the rest of the nation, said Rachel Weiss, spokeswoman for Montana-based The Institute on Money in State Politics.
At least a quarter of the out-of-state donations to Holland are insurance industry-related, records show.
Holland has been outspoken about Insurance Department employees accepting anything of value from insurance industry representatives, but said running a campaign is a separate function.
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The campaign is a necessary function for me to return to my job and maintain this position,” she said.
She said contributions from out-of-state donors are typical for incumbent insurance commissioners and that no contribution could influence her judgment.
“All I can say is that I have a strong moral barometer that does not permit me to be inappropriately persuaded,” she said.
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