On the Thursday edition of WFSU’s "Political Perspectives" with Tom Flanigan, School Board District One candidate Alva Striplin challenged incumbent candidate Forrest Van Camp. Their opinions on fundraising differ.
One caller helped to further distinguish between the candidates when he questioned the ethics of Superintendent Jackie Pons’s having hosted a fundraiser for incumbent Van Camp. At the fundraiser in question, Pons made a donation to Van Camp’s campaign, with total donations that night amounting to around $50,000. Van Camp defended Pons’ support.
“As I got into the campaign, folks said, 'Forrest, you need to have a fundraiser,' and so I did have one," he said. "Jackie did have his name as a host for my fundraiser, and at that fundraiser he contributed a donation to my campaign. That’s all he put into it."
The fundraiser helped create a $50,000 fundraising gap between Van Camp and Striplin. On "Perspectives," Striplin questioned the ethics of the fundraiser.
“Going back I just don’t remember any superintendent ever throwing a fundraiser for a sitting board member and raising such huge funds,” she said.
“If you look at the list—people love to go to Leon Votes—and see who gives to who, you can compare who gave to Forrest, and they can see those lists, they can see and make that decision for themselves,” she said.
Van Camp and Striplin will square off in the primary election on August 26.
WFSU's "Political Perspectives" will continue Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 11 on 88.9 FM through mid-August.