Questioning Fontenot’s campaign finance reports

My inbox is filled with political ads every day. I suspect this is the case for you too. Many of the claims in these ads are questionable at best. Other claims are so broad as to be meaningless.

I would like to ask Rep. Ken Fontenot about a recent mailing I received. The ad says he is transparent and honest. As a fellow veteran, I assume he does, but I have the following concerns.

1. According to your official House of Representatives website, your wife Francesca is your legislative assistant. North Carolina has strict laws against nepotism. How can you get your wife to work directly for you?

2. Over 20% of your campaign spend was paid directly to you. Of the four locals running for state office, including Buck Newton, Dante Pittman and Raymond Smith, you are the only one receiving direct campaign expenses. Why does your campaign pay funds directly to you? And why are some paid to Ken Fontenot or Kenneth J. “Ken” Fontenot and others paid to Kenneth James Fontenot?

3. Last November you visited Louisiana. If I remember correctly, part of that trip was visiting your high school. At least part of the trip was financed by your campaign funds. I have a hard time understanding how anyone can justify using North Carolina campaign funds to visit Louisiana.

4. I also noticed that your campaign is disbursing funds to some people who write glowing letters about you to the editor of this newspaper. Do you think these relationships should be disclosed?

In the interest of transparency and honesty, I hope Rep. Fontenot will respond in the Wilson Times, as he is a regular contributor to this paper.

Daily gymnast

Wilson