Atlantic Republicans accuse Cooper of playing coy with campaign finance disclosure

Two Atlantic County Freeholder candidates today scoffed at the notion that incumbent at-large Freeholder Alisa Cooper is spending less than $3,500 on her reelection campaign.

Cooper, who’s campaign has so far been low profile, filed the required form with the Election Law Enforcement Commission on September 30th announcing that she intended to spend less than $3,500. 

Republican candidates Tom Ballistreri and Manny Aponte, who are both running for at-large seats on the board, suspect that it’s a method for Cooper to delay disclosing expenses.  

“For Cooper to suggest she intends to raise less than $3,500 for her campaign is ludicrous,” said Ballistreri and Aponte.  “It’s clear she intends to hide the source of her expected and apparently promised campaign cash until the eleventh hour.”

The Atlantic County Republicans have also accused Sheriff Jim McGettigan of using “wheeled” in money for his county executive race last year, which they claim is a violation of county law. 

But Cooper’s treasurer, Marc Ginsberg, said that Ballisteri and Aponte misunderstood the form.  Cooper stated that she was spending, not raising, less than $3,500, and that once she breaks that threshold she will lay out her contributions and expenditures on the 11 day pre-election report. 

“In response to Mr. Aponte – a financial advisor – he should read to learn the law better,” he said.  “The law states that it’s spending over $3,500, and she’s done nothing to hide anything.”