Clean Elections rejects GOP candidate’s bid to exit the program amid disciplinary proceedings

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted unanimously to deny Republican Ralph Heap's second request to exit Arizona's public campaign funding program, after a complaint alleged he failed to report a loan for campaign signs placed around Phoenix before the primary. Heap's attorney, Tim La Sota, argued the program is supposed to be voluntary and that blocking an exit amounts to unconstitutional coercion, while returning $147,000 in primary funds but keeping general-election money.

Commission rules only allow exit requests before public funding is approved, and Heap's came after. The commission had already found reason to believe Heap violated reporting rules regarding a line of credit extended by a sign shop, and gave him two weeks to amend his filings.

A commissioner and two activists on opposite sides of the aisle weighed in: one calling the process unfair to Heap, another calling his attempt to walk away 'disrespectful,' and a Republican commissioner noting that whatever trouble Heap is in, he brought on himself.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.