Political Practices: Hungry Horse Rep. Zac Perry committed campaign finance violations

Helena – The Commissioner of Political Practices has ruled that Democrat State Representative Zac Perry of Hungry Horse violated campaign finance regulations during his 2016 campaign.

First elected in 2014, Zac Perry narrowly defeated Republican challenger Taylor Rose in the 2016 Election for House District 3 by 271 votes.

On Tuesday, Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan issued a 13-page ruling that found Mr. Perry failed to properly disclose more than $6,500 in campaign expenditures, exceeded the maximum allowable gift limit to campaign staff, and improperly distributed surplus campaign funds.

The Commissioner of Political Practices office has referred the case to the Lewis & Clark County Attorney’s office for prosecution. If the County Attorney’s office chooses not to prosecute, the Commissioner can settle the case with fines or prosecute Zac Perry in district court.

Additionally, Commissioner Mangan ordered Mr. Perry to file amended campaign finance reports no later than October 28, 2018.

Mr. Perry faces former State Representative Jerry O’Neil in the general election this fall.

Perry, 40, originally from Harbor City, California has faced O’Neil twice before. In 2012, O’Neil defeated Perry by nearly 400 votes. That race also included Libertarian candidate Shawn Guymon. In 2014, Perry edged out O’Neil by 48 votes; that race also included Libertarian candidate Chris Colvin.

By: Politics406 Staff