Democrats received most of Sam Givhan’s past contributions
[Note: Please be sure to read this post providing Sam Givhan's explanation of the contributions.]
The first handful of mud has been tossed in the AL Senate 7th District Republican Primary. The following email has been making the rounds:
Subject: GOP alert: RINO Sam Givhan in state senate District 7 is big LIBERAL donor
To all GOP voters:
The attached spreadsheet details ALL of the known donations by alleged Republican and state senate candidate SAM GIVHAN. You will notice that Givhan has made the overwhelming majority of those donations to LIBERAL DEMOCRATS including BOB KERRY, EVAN BAYH, NANCY WORLEY, indicted SUE SCHMITZ, and the ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ($2500 to the ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY- with NO money to the Alabama GOP).
GIVHAN has also given HEAVILY to DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES for the ALABAMA SUPREME COURT – and NOT ONE DIME TO GOP SUPREME COURT CANDIDATES.
It is time to unmask this imposter in the GOP primary. Say NO to RINO SAM GIVHAN.
All information is sourced and accurate. Please verify this info for yourself so that you will know the truth anout [sic] Givhan and his liberal Democrat past.
This spreadsheet was attached to the email. Here is the list of contributions made by Sam Givhan:
| YEAR | AMOUNT | RECIPIENT | PARTY | RACE |
| 1998 | $250.00 | Nancy Worley | Democrat | Secretary of State |
| 1998 | $125.00 | Sue Schmitz | Democrat | Legislature |
| 1998 | $125.00 | Joe Carothers | Democrat | Legislature |
| 1998 | $250.00 | Jeff Enfinger | Republican | Legislature |
| 1998 | $500.00 | Cecil Moses | Republican | Legislature |
| 1998 | $500.00 | Janie Baker Clark | Democrat | Supreme Court |
| 1998 | $313.00 | Roger Monroe | Democrat | Supreme Court |
| 1998 | $250.00 | Evan Bayh | Democrat | Federal |
| 1999 | $333.00 | Bob Kerry | Democrat | Federal |
| 1999 | $333.00 | Bob Kerry | Democrat | Federal |
| 1999 | $250.00 | Evan Bayh | Democrat | Federal |
| 1999 | $1,000.00 | George Bush | Republican | Federal |
| 2000 | $125.00 | Joel Laird, Jr. | Democrat | Supreme Court |
| 2000 | $375.00 | Joel Laird, Jr. | Democrat | Supreme Court |
| 2000 | $500.00 | Ralph Cook | Democrat | Supreme Court |
| 2000 | $2,500.00 | AL Democrat Party | Democrat | Party |
| 2001 | $1,000.00 | Richard Shelby | Republican | Federal |
| 2001 | $500.00 | Richard Shelby | Republican | Federal |
| 2002 | $250.00 | Jeff Enfinger | Democrat | Legislature |
| 2002 | $500.00 | Bob Harrison | Democrat | Legislature |
| 2002 | $500.00 | Lynn Greer | Republican | Legislature |
| 2002 | $100.00 | Carolyn Gibson | Democrat | Auditor |
| 2002 | $100.00 | Carolyn Gibson | Democrat | Auditor |
| 2002 | $200.00 | Sue Schmitz | Democrat | Legislature |
| 2002 | $1,000.00 | Jeff Enfinger | Democrat | Legislature |
| 2003 | $2,000.00 | George Bush | Republican | Federal |
| 2004 | $571.00 | Roger Monroe | Democrat | Supreme Court |
| 2004 | $571.00 | John Rochester | Democrat | Supreme Court |
Since 1998 Givhan has given a total of $9,271 to Democrats (62%) and $5,750 to Republicans. When only state contributions are considered Givhan has given 87% to Democrats.
I’ve spot checked the sourcing and everything I’ve checked is accurate. Givhan has not responded to an inquiry about the contributions.
The source of the email appears to be one of Paul Sanford’s consultants, although from what I hear Sanford did not know about or approve of the email. Supposedly the email was sent as though it were anonymous, but turned out to be a lesson in how to not send out information anonymously. The “Properties” of the attached Excel file lists Brent Buchanan as the author. Brent Buchanan just happens to be Sanford’s consultant. Oops! (Note: See update below)
Regardless of the source, the information about Givhan’s past support is likely to be quite damaging in a cramped Republican primary. How can he justify giving money to Nancy Worley, Sue Schmitz, and the Democrat Party itself to Republican voters?
The only other candidate in the race who has made a contribution across party lines (that I know of right now) is Mary Scott Hunter. She gave $100 to Deborah Bell Paseur’s campaign to be Alabama Supreme Court Justice. Hunter said that the contribution was made due to a “personal relationship.” She did, however, help raise $10,000 in support of Wayne Parker’s bid to become our federal representative.
Update: Just spoke with Brent Buchanan. He adamantly maintains that he did not author the email. The original email came from a person purportedly named Toby Hunt. (I tried emailing “Toby,” but the email bounced back due to a nonexistant email account.) Sanford and Givhan are long time friends and Paul was quite unhappy about the email and release of the information.
The other candidates:
Paul Sanford – “hasn’t made any political contributions in the past”, according to his campaign.
Peter Wright – “I cannot recall personally writing a check or given cash to a Democratic candidate in recent memory or in the timeframe… Sen Shelby might have been the exception as he used to be a Democrat.”
Allan Rhodes – Maxed out ($2,300) to Wayne Parker.
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Brian, You are correct in stating I did not authorize the gathering of information on my opposition nor did I want the above information leaked to anyone. My consulting firm recieved this information and then compiled it into a spreadsheet for me to overlook. They were given direction to sit on the information until I saw it and personally determined the relevance to this Senate campaign. Some how the contribution information got out to two individuals and the internet took over from that point.
I have personally spoken with Sam in regards to this matter and assured him I had no part in it’s dispersement. My campaign strategy has always been to discuss issues directly related to our district and state, not interparty politics.
Your readers need to know I would not have released this information. I would rather lose the election while sitting on this information, than to expose my friend to personal scrutiny. People know me to be open and honest, this election will not change who I am as a person.
This situation is extremely unfortunate. I am confident Sam and I will keep our friendship intact, that is the most important issue for me currently.
Thanks, Paul
Paul, I don’t think anyone who knows you would accuse you of any negative tactics. You’re one of the good guys. But what I would like to know is why Givhan is running a a Republican when his money says he’s a Democrat. That seems to be lost in the uproar. I don’t like negative campaigning but I also think candidates owe their constituents the truth. Seems like all Sam Givhan wants to do is complain about theis being leaked. He hasn’t been that interested in explaining his record.
I appreciate Paul’s honesty and his desire to keep everything clean. However, this isn’t true “leaking” of data – I already sent out an email to a friend regarding the donations to Bayh and Kerry. This information is publicly available – I agree with John, the issue should be Mr. Givhan’s explanation.
OR Mr. Givhan’s lack of an explanation. That is what is appaling to me. It appears that Hunter and/or her supporters are willing and out talking out this. I heard her bring it up at a women’s meeting last week on her own. I think Givhan should start explaining or he will be lost.
Toby Hunt should have let his brother Mike send out the spreadsheet… DOH!
Alright – a little clarification is in order for Peter Wright’s statement. While he may not have given any money to democratic candidates – his wife ran (Cynthia Webb) ran as a democrat against Ruth Hall for a judgeship last year. Not saying it makes him any less of a republican, just disclosing all related information.