These are the answers to the third of four questions about Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole's record fine that I put before the candidates that are running in the March 2010 primary to be chairman of the Harris County Republican Party. It is important to remember that Commissioner Eversole neither admitted or denied any of the charges levied against him in the resolution agreed to by the Texas Ethics Commission.

The question asked:

Is it important for Republican candidates to be above reproach regarding campaign finance laws? Or should there be wiggle room regarding expenditures not made with taxpayer funds?

The candidates answers (click on their name or picture to go to their campaign website):

Don Large - Here is the simple standard: if you are thinking about doing something wrong or doing something that appears to be wrong, don't do it. If you do something inadvertently, disclose it immediately, apologize, and correct the behavior if possible. If not, step down from your elected position, effective immediately.

Jared Woodfill - No Response

Paul Simpson - Of course the Party and its candidates should comply with valid campaign finance laws. Again, the Party should set an example by making sure its own expenditures are appropriate and its own finance filings are proper.

Ed Hubbard - It is important for all persons entering public life to act in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of all of the laws, including the campaign finance laws.  Though it is fairly easy, and common, for technical mistakes to be made, they need to be addressed immediately, fixed, and consequences accepted.  There should be no wiggle room for the substantive violation of campaign finance laws; but if the authorities and the individual resolve the matter without calling for the removal of the official from office or a candidate from the ballot, there should be a presumption that the resolution ends the issue.

If there is further retribution to be had for such behavior, it can be addressed in two forms:

• By the Executive Committee in the form of a resolution of censure, or other resolution expressing its disapproval of the conduct at issue; or
• By the voters in the next primary.

I thank each of the gentlemen that responded. I must admit that I learned a lot more about the issue and about each individual.