The state Ethics Commission has fined David Ray Wallace of Leachville, a Republican candidate for House District 54, $500 and given him a letter of caution for taking a campaign contribution in excess of the $2,000 limit.
Wallace, who is opposing Rep. Wes Wagner of Manila, a Democrat, consented to the finding. Wallace, who is a member of the Leachville City Council, has said he was unaware of the campaign limit and would send back the excess. He took t$5,000 from Labor Smart, a Georgia-based temporary employment agency and reported it as $2,500 each for the primary and general election campaign.
Candace Martin, director of the Arkansas Democratic Party, issued a statement:
“I’m pleased that the Ethics Commission took this violation seriously and that Mr. Wallace is being held accountable for breaking campaign finance law. Our election laws are critical to fair and transparent elections, therefore it is critical that all candidates educate themselves and abide by those laws.”