David Hancock on Campaign Finance in Georgia Legislature

http://www.dhancock.com/issues/candidates-donate-your-money/

We have a problem in Georgia when it comes to primary elections. The House and Senate Districts are redrawn after each Census, but are drawn so as to insure single party majorities. The net effect is that Incumbent's enjoy a huge advantage in the primaries, especially when they have seniority. Consequently, if the voters in the District would like new representation they have a difficult time finding qualified candidates to take on the incumbent due to the disadvantages that a challenger faces in mounting an effective campaign. Look no further than my own campaign for House District 97. My opponent receives about 8% of his contributions from voters in the District. The largest contributors come from PAC's and Special Interest 43% and 37% from the campaign funds of other legislators. Contributions from Business is 8% and 4% from the Republican Party and other Civic organizations.

The other noteworthy advantage is that city councils that look to the State for funds have a vested interest in keeping the incumbent in office.

My pledge to you if elected, is that I will never accept money from other elected officials, nor will I contribute money from my own campaign.