Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

Dupage County Elections $30,000 To GOP Consultant

Dupage County Elections Paid $30,000 To Republican Political Consultant


http://www.blackboxvoting.org

Frank Salvato, a Republican media consultant, acknowledged in a brief interview with Black Box Voting today that he received nearly $30,000 from the DuPage County (IL) Elections division in 2004. Initially, when asked what DuPage County was paying for, Salvato said it was for "media consulting."

Salvato's bio from his Web site, TheRant.us, describes him as a political media strategist. "He supports and is affiliated with the Republican Presidential Task Force, the RNC's Presidential Victory Team, RightMarch.com, Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and is a GOP Team Leader," his site says.

"What, specifically, is your affiliation with the Republican National Committee and the Republican Presidential Task Force," asked Bev Harris, founder of Black Box Voting.

Salvato said the work done for DuPage County had nothing to do with his activities with the Republican Party.

"What did they pay you to do?"

Salvato said the DuPage assignment was a voter registration effort, equally targeted across all demographics and with resulting increase in voter registrations in all demographic groups.

"What is meant by the word 'affiliated' with these groups?"

Salvato said he was not formally affiliated, except in the sense that they "bleed him for money."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

DuPage County elections chief Robert Saar did not return calls from Black Box Voting requesting further clarification of Salvato's role.

Aside from whatever Salvato did to receive approximately $30,000 from DuPage County elections, Salvato appears to have dual roles in promoting Republican politics and a conservative agenda.

He is Executive Director of the Basics Project; his wife Nancy is president of this group, which appears to be both a conservative think tank and political "education" group. Listed as nonpartisan and nonprofit, the Basics Project advocates a solidly conservative philosophy.

Salvato is Managing Editor for The New Media Journal.us and a contributing writer for GOPUSA, American Daily, and The North Carolina Conservative. His pieces are featured in The Conservative Battleline, American Enterprise, The Washington Times, US Politics Today. His Web site refers to him as a "GOP team leader."

Black Box Voting is seeking public records from DuPage County to determine whether federal HAVA funds were used to pay Salvato, to substantiate work done for the payments, and to determine whether it was, in fact, nonpartisan.

*************

Black Box Voting is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501c(3) elections watchdog group supported entirely by citizen donations. We are fighting for your right to oversee every bit of your own elections.

If you believe our work should continue, go to http://www.blackboxvoting.org/donate.html or mail to 330 SW 43rd St Suite K PMB 547 Renton WA 98055

-Black Box Voting


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.