A state senator who staved off a primary fight is now also free from a complaint that he misused campaign contributions but perhaps he’s not free for long.
Members of the same political parties generally stick up for each other, like family. Not so for GOP Senator Sam McCann. He was challenged in the primary by a candidate, state trooper Bryce Benton, well-financed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
McCann, of Plainview, prevailed, but has faced another battle. During the campaign, an anti-McCann voter filed a complaint with the state elections board. The voter's attorney, Daniel Fultz, says that complaint has been dropped, for technical reasons.
"We do intend to refile. And there will be additional allegations made," he said, though he declined to elaborate. "The reason we're going forward is because we believe he's using the money to cover personal expenses because of a failed construction company that he owned, and we believe that he's using this campaign fund as a slush fund, and we're going to find out."
Fultz claims McCann filed for extensive mileage reimbursements.
McCann disputed that in March, saying that while he could have kept better records, every mile is accounted for as he traversed the large 50th district.
"Every one of those miles driven represents a constituent heard, and a constituent served," he said at the time.
In a statement, McCann says he's not surprised the complaint was dropped because “it's false and politically-charged.”
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