March 28, 2024

Think before you donate

Doug Cook
Newton

State Representative Dan Kelley recently sent out another batch of fundraising letters requesting financial assistance so he can inform his constituents that he has been working on their behalf. A recipient of one of these letters showed it to me, and it made me wonder if Rep. Kelley depends on his daily per diem for his day-to-day expenses more than we realize.

Kelley is paid roughly $45,000 a year (salary, per diem, IPERS, health insurance, etc.) to serve as our state representative for a few months. His letter states that he needs additional funding to cover the costs of informing the voters how hard he is working.

Out of curiosity I decided to check out his financial reports, which are listed on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. The campaign disclosures detail both contributions received and expenses paid out. In reference to his letter, I was interested in the campaign expenses that were reported. Listed below is a small sampling of his 2014 disclosures.

Six line items listed for office equipment (furniture, electronics, etc.) that amounted to $1,116.76.

Thirteen line items for cell phone reimbursement (was there an extra month in 2014?) that amounted to $2,423.87 (a family plan is less than that!).

Six mileage reimbursement checks in Dan’s name totaling $1,857.00. (12,000 miles worth of campaigning?...or do his donors pay all of his personal use also?)

Many more entries for what looked like constituent expenses for stationary, cards, postage, etc., totaling $1,729.20.

Dozens of campaign-related expenses that totaled several thousand dollars, not included here for the sake of space.

All of these checks, most made out to Kelley from his own campaign fund, totaled $7,128.54. Add that to his $45,000 in salary and benefits and you have a minimum package of $52,126.83. The average citizen of Jasper County would be more than satisfied with an annual salary like that for only a few months of work. For some reason Dan feels he deserves even more of your money so he can connect with you ... I think that point makes it worthy to note that he took only one paragraph of the letter to outline his accomplishments and then two paragraphs to ask for more of your money. Think before you donate!