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Steve Bunker Certified a Clean Elections Candidate

Steve Bunker, candidate for Maine House District 109 encompassing parts of Gray, North Yarmouth, and Pownal has been certified by the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices as a Clean Elections candidate. He received notification on 17 April.

To qualify for Maine Clean Elections funding, candidates for the House of Representatives must collect a minimum of 50 contributions in the amount of $5.00 from registered voters within their district. Once certified by the Commission, candidates cannot accept any other financial contributions for their campaign.

All candidates are required to sign a Declaration of Intent Concerning Voluntary Expenditure Limits. On that form, there are three choices. The candidate can declare that he will comply with a voluntary $5,000 expenditure limit, that the candidate does not agree, or that they are a Clean Elections candidate will comply with Clean Elections restrictions. Bunker signed and declared that he will abide by the Clean Elections restrictions.

Bunker's opponent, Representative Susan M. Austin, indicated that she does not intend to run as a Clean Elections candidate and does not agree to comply with the voluntary $5,000 spending limit. In the 2002 campaign, Austin reported expenditures of over $9,400.00.

Clean Elections Candidates must adhere to restrictions of cash contributions regarding seed money. Total contributions from the same source may not exceed $250 in any election. Bunker had received $70.00 from Richard Barter, $100 from Sarah McCleary, and 50.00 from Mark Bryant. Total cash for Bunker so far total $220.00. Bunker has received an in-kind contribution of $50 for photography from Nathan Tsukroff.

Bunker also signed the Maine Code Of Fair Campaign Practices form swearing that he will "conduct my campaign and, to the extent reasonable possible, insist that my supporters conduct themselves, in a manner consistent with the best Maine and American traditions, discussing the issues and presenting my record and policies with sincerity and candor.
I shall uphold the right of every qualified voter to free and equal participation in the election process.

I shall not participate in and I shall condemn defamation of and other attacks on any opposing candidate or party that I do not believe to be truthful, provable and relevant to my campaign.

I shall not use or authorize and I shall condemn material relating to my campaign that falsifies, misrepresents or distorts the facts, including, but not limited to, malicious or unfounded accusations creating or exploiting doubts as to the morality, patriotism or motivations of any party or candidate.

I shall not appeal to and I shall condemn appeals to prejudices based on race, creed, sex or national origin.

I shall not practice and I shall condemn practices that tend to corrupt or undermine the system of free election or that hamper or prevent the free expression of the will of the voters.

I shall promptly and publicly repudiate the support of any individual or group that resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of an opponent, to methods in violation of the letter or spirit of this code.

I, that undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of Maine, hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to and solemnly pledge to conduct my campaign in accordance with the above principles and practices."