“Our choice is Parnell, whose campaign theme has been “Putting People Above Parties.” She says the interests of constituents should come before the interests of political parties, and she promises to never sign a pledge to vote [...]]]> On the morning of Monday, November 28, 2011, The Birmingham News officially endorsed District 45 candidate, Paige Parnell.

“Our choice is Parnell, whose campaign theme has been “Putting People Above Parties.” She says the interests of constituents should come before the interests of political parties, and she promises to never sign a pledge to vote the way the party tells her. She has also been critical of the state’s tough new immigration law, noting that it hurts state businesses.

Frankly, we’re bothered by Drake’s states’ rights rhetoric, his pledge to never support new taxes, and his plan to reintroduce a bill which his brother had sponsored that would outlaw nonuser sewer fees…”

Click here to read the entire article.

The law, Section 17-5-15-3(a) states: “A principal campaign [...]]]> Once again Dickie Drake has broken the state’s new ethics laws. This time it’s a felony. In his latest campaign financial disclosure report, Drake says he has taken $2,000 from a federal campaign. Under the new Alabama ethics package passed last year this is a felony offense.

The law, Section 17-5-15-3(a) states: “A principal campaign committee of a state or local candidate may not receive or spend, in a campaign for state or local office, campaign funds in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) that were raised by a principal campaign committee of a federal candidate. Any receipt or expenditure of campaign funds in violation of subsection (a) shall be a Class C felony.”

It is another example of Drake’s disregard for the state’s election laws. During the previous filing, Drake filed a report which showed he had no activity on his campaign, which was a lie. After being caught red-handed, Drake then showed the true activity in an amended report. During this report Drake reported a $2,000 contribution from “Bachus Reelection,” the primary campaign committee of U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus.

“This is just another example of Dickie Drake and his Republican bosses breaking the law,” said Paige Parnell. “The law is clear; we cannot accept money from another campaign because it’s money laundering. Dickie Drake needs to return this money immediately. Also, since this is such a serious offense, I call on the Attorney General’s office to investigate this serial offender – and prove that the new ethics laws aren’t just for show. This is not the first time something like this has happened and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

Drake has tried to distance himself from his illegal actions in the past, blaming it on his campaign. He has also blamed others for attack pieces on Parnell.

“It’s time Dickie Drake took responsibility for his campaign,” Parnell said. “I know he is just doing what his party bosses are telling him to do, but what they’re doing is illegal.”

Drake has signed a pledge which forces him to vote and do whatever the Republican party tells him to do.

“The only pledge I’m taking is to the people of my district,” Parnell said. “This is just another example of Dickie Drake following orders to do something he shouldn’t be doing.”

Alabama law, Section 17-5-15, further states: “It shall be unlawful for any principal campaign committee to make a contribution, expenditure, or any other transfer of funds to any other principal campaign committee, except where the contribution, expenditure, or any other transfer of funds is made from a principal campaign committee to another principal campaign committee on behalf of the same person.”

View Dickie Drake’s Contribution Form

Dickie Drake is swindling taxpayers by abusing his party’s non-profit status so he can get a tax break on his hate-filled mailings about Paige Parnell.

As he has proven on his doctored campaign finance reports, Drake will try to find a way around any and all campaign laws and practices.

His swindle has [...]]]> Press Release

Dickie Drake is swindling taxpayers by abusing his party’s non-profit status so he can get a tax break on his hate-filled mailings about Paige Parnell.

As he has proven on his doctored campaign finance reports, Drake will try to find a way around any and all campaign laws and practices.

His swindle has saved his campaign thousands of dollars at the cost of taxpayers. The con works this way: he pretends his campaign isn’t being run by the party, the party then sends out his hateful attack pieces, and he avoids paying the campaign rate on postage. All of Drake’s mail pieces in the general election have been sent out by the Republican party.

At best, this is more proof that Drake’s campaign is being run by his party bosses. At worst, Drake is knowingly using the party to get federal subsidies on mail rates (the Republican party sends out mailings at the same non-profit rate as charities like the United Way, while campaigns must pay a higher rate for mailings.)

Federal law makes it clear that it is a violation to collude with the party and receive the non-profit mailing rate.

We call on Dickie Drake to come clean and tell the truth about his relationship with his party bosses – he should explain who is running his campaign and answer why the party has done all of his mailings.

“Dickie Drake needs to tell the people in our district the truth about using the Republican party to send out all of his mailings and get federal tax breaks for his campaign,” said Paige Parnell. “The people of this district demand transparency and he needs to come out and address these issues, instead of letting the Republican party do his dirty work for him.”

Since District 45 Rep. Owen Drake has passed away, there have been four candidates who have shown interest in filling his vacant AL House of Representative seat.

Republican candidates: Tommy Joe Alexander, present mayor of Irondale Dickie Drake, Brother of former Rep. Owen Drake [...]]]> By: Amber Thompson | The Leeds News | July 29, 2011

Since District 45 Rep. Owen Drake has passed away, there have been four candidates who have shown interest in filling his vacant AL House of Representative seat.

Republican candidates:
Tommy Joe Alexander, present mayor of Irondale
Dickie Drake, Brother of former Rep. Owen Drake and local business owner, Leeds
Michael Sumners, Vice President of Richardson Construction, Irondale

Democratic candidate:
Paige Parnell, Leeds

“I speak my mind, and I definitely have a love for my community,” Parnell said. “I’m a Leeds native, I love my people very much, and I’m also a very fair, balanced person. I like to hear from everybody on issues so I value being open-minded and willing to listen to make a change.”

Click here to read entire article.

Paige Parnell announced her candidacy today for election to the Alabama House of Representatives. Parnell, a Democrat from Leeds, is running in the special election for House District 45.

“I am running for two reasons: to fight for working families, and to put the people in our district above politics,” said Parnell.

Paige Parnell, a lifelong Leeds resident, has announced her candidacy for the vacant AL House of Representative seat for District 45. She is the only democratic candidate to enter the race.

The special primary election will be held August 30 with a runoff, if necessary, [...]]]> Staff Report | The Leeds News | July 20, 2011

Paige Parnell, a lifelong Leeds resident, has announced her candidacy for the vacant AL House of Representative seat for District 45. She is the only democratic candidate to enter the race.

The special primary election will be held August 30 with a runoff, if necessary, will be held October 11.

“I am running for two reasons: to fight for working families, and to put the people in our district above politics,” Parnell said.

Click here to read entire article.