Buckner Pushing For Clean Elections Through A Form Of Public Financing
October 5th, 2006
By Dick Pettys
Insider Advantage

Retiring state Rep. Gail Buckner, the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, says she will push for clean elections in Georgia through a form of public financing if she is elected to the post.

"As Secretary of State, I will appoint a commission of citizens and community leaders from around the state to begin a discussion about the philosophy of clean campaigns and where - if anywhere - our citizens want us to go," she said in a Capitol news conference.

Buckner said clean campaign systems are operating in 12-14 others states in various forms. "It's a way of returning the elections process to our citizens, and that's why I am interested in beginning this discussion. The average citizen cannot begin to compete with the large donations that come from corporations, special interests."

Public funds to support clean candidates could come from a variety of sources, she said, including ethics fines, income tax checkoffs and revenue from prestige automobile license plates.

Buckner faces Republican Karen Handel in the Nov. 7 election. The winner will succeed Democrat Cathy Cox.