The state of Wisconsin is in the bitcoin headlines again. This time the news is surrounding Mark Clear, a Madison alderman who is running for state representative.
Clear is believed to the first Badger State politician to incorporate bitcoin into his campaign fundraising arsenal. However, it was discovered by the Wisconsin Reporter, a state watchdog organization, that he had returned $100 worth of the digital currency after he learned of a recent dismissal by the Government Accountability Board (GAB).
“I think the GAB needs to focus on the important parts of public disclosure,” Clear told the news outlet last week. “What the public wants to know is who the person is making a contribution and how much (rather than the method of transaction).”
We reported in March that the Wisconsin GAB would refrain from taking any action regarding the political usage of bitcoin. The reason is that the GAB wants to wait to establish a bitcoin directive until the Federal Election Commission (FEC) makes a final decision on political contributions in bitcoins.
The FEC is currently mulling a proposal that would permit voters to donate up to $100 worth of bitcoins to political campaigns. It’s unclear as to why the commissions would vote on the issue so it’s likely that the GAB wouldn’t make a decision until after this year’s election cycle.
In the meantime, suggestions are being floated. Jonathan Becker, an administrator in the GAB ethics division, told the Wisconsin publication that perhaps bitcoin be utilized as an in-kind donation akin to a gift card.
There have been a growing number of political hopefuls adding bitcoin donations to their campaigns. Texas Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott is just one of the many candidates accepting bitcoin contributions.
“Our campaign has focused on making use of cutting-edge tools to communicate online and has made digital a priority from the start. Something as innovative as Bitcoin is an opportunity for us to continue this focus, especially given the fact that it embodies free market principles, which Texans are very fond of,” Abbott’s communications director Matt Hirsch told Politico in an interview.
Bitcoin has even entered the realm of political voting.
Want to tell Mark Clear how you feel about this? https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/contact/?alder=1779
