Save Newport Real News in Newport Beach
Several weeks ago, we reported that Newport Council Candidate had solicited funds without filing to run for council.
Herdman defends his actions, calling everything he has been doing legal, by saying “Yes, I have been attempting to raise seed money for my campaign fund, and have been successful. As soon as I hit the $1,000 ceiling I filed with the City and the Secretary of State. I actually had 10 days to do so.”
However, the state of California disagrees, as their documentation states: “File the Form 501 before you solicit or receive any contributions or before you make expenditures from personal funds on behalf of your candidacy. This form is considered filed the date it is postmarked or hand delivered.”
Recently, Balboa Island activist Bob McCaffrey submitted a complaint to the Fair Political Practices Committee, highlighting Herdmans actions.
For someone who has filed FPPC complaints themselves, being called out on fundraising before the campaign even started is a bad start. Herdman also told me that he was of both the Austrian School and the Keynesian School of economics– but later clarified that he was a follower of Milton Friedmans Free Market– even though he advocated for interference by government into the private sector. Finally, he told me that he had not heard of my idea which would have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars with the bridge construction on Bay Island, but then I presented documentation of our email communication on the subject.
Now none of this is to say that Jeff is a bad person or that he isn’t a nice guy in any way– contrary: Jeff is a very, very nice guy. So is Jimmy Carter.
Note: the original text said “FCC” instead of “FPPC”– this has been corrected.
