Carnahan should follow Senator Kerry’s Lead and Pay Up

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) July 28, 2010 – Join Ed Martin for a press conference at the St. Louis landing of the Mississippi River across from the Arch. As word spreads of Senator John Kerry coming forward to pay [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Carnahan should follow Senator Kerry’s Lead and Pay Up

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) July 28, 2010 – Join Ed Martin for a press conference at the St. Louis landing of the Mississippi River across from the Arch. As word spreads of Senator John Kerry coming forward to pay taxes on his yacht moored in another state, Ed Martin calls on Congressman Russ Carnahan to step forward and pay his taxes too.

When: Today July 28, 2010 at 11:30am

Where: Top of the stairs near the Arch

Just like Senator Kerry avoided paying taxes on his 76-foot yacht mooring it in Rhode Island, Congressman Carnahan is avoiding paying personal property taxes on his 42-foot yacht by docking it in Alton, Illinois instead of his hometown.

Unlike Senator Kerry, who in a recent written statement said, “The payment is being made promptly,” Congressman Carnahan continues to dodge taxes and questions surrounding his yacht. Kerry came forward in a matter of days; Carnahan’s tax evasion was brought to light in April yet the Congressman is still trying to sweep it under the rug.

Carnahan’s scandal delves deeper than just tax evasion too. His boat, “Attractive Nuisance,” went unregistered for years according to the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange. And he neglected to disclose his LLC on his yacht for years too.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Secret land deal proves Carnahan’s claim as false

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 17, 2010 – Congressman Russ Carnahan’s office blatantly attempted to mislead the public regarding his failure to disclose not one but two of Carnahan’s limited liability corporations. The first LLC not disclosed concerning the Congressman’s [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Secret land deal proves Carnahan’s claim as false

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 17, 2010 – Congressman Russ Carnahan’s office blatantly attempted to mislead the public regarding his failure to disclose not one but two of Carnahan’s limited liability corporations. The first LLC not disclosed concerning the Congressman’s 42-foot yacht came to light amid an ethics complaint filed by citizens of Missouri’s 3rd district. Carnahan quickly filed papers with his sister, Missouri’s Secretary of State, and was able to dissolve the LLC after hours on a Friday. By Monday morning they were dissolved – which is an unheard of timely fashion for shutting down an LLC. In dissolving the LLC and amending his disclosure he publicly admitted wrong doing.

What Congressman Carnahan hoped would go unnoticed was that when he dissolved the Chris-Craft LLC he dissolved yet another LLC that for 5-years he failed to disclose. Did Carnahan lie to his sister in order to get an active LLC shut down so quickly? Carnahan disclosed his Castle Ballroom LLC in 2004 yet failed to do so in the following subsequent years. In a recent news article it was reported that, “Neither LLC was used, and Carnahan dissolved them in mid-May following media reports…” (The Hill, Susan Crabtree, June 16, 2010) However a bit of research proves that statement false. Carnahan’s Castle Ballroom was indeed used – it made a significant donation to the Congressman’s campaign in 2004. Not to mention it proved to be a lucrative real estate deal for Carnahan too. He bought the property in 2003 and about a year and half later, with no noticeable improvements made, more than doubled his money. Now he’s trying to sell such blatantly false claims as the LLC wasn’t active and never used? What exactly makes this property so profitable? Why did he feel the need to keep it a secret and not disclose the LLC?

Instead of being up front and honest with his constituents, Congressman Carnahan again tried to mislead them with an attempt to throw a baseless claim at his opponent. Carnahan’s camp threw out a trumped up claim that Ed Martin was “…choosing to violate the financial disclosure requirement…” The fact of the matter is Ed Martin, being a first-time candidate, had a number of questions regarding all of the paperwork and requirements needed to file his financial disclosure correctly – unlike Congressman Carnahan.

There is a long paper trail documenting Ed Martin’s correspondence with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. In order to offer complete transparency it is all on file and was – without being asked – handed over to several news reporters well before Carnahan’s outrageous claim. There has been transparency all along.

“To criticize someone for making sure they follow procedure correctly is nothing more than fear and anger rearing its ugly head. Carnahan knows he can’t explain his failings and secret deals, he feels backed into a corner and is obviously feeling the pressure; not knowing what else to do he is lashing out with a trumped up claim. Maybe Carnahan should have taken the time to ask questions and learn how to file properly like Ed Martin– but then again Carnahan doesn’t seem to be a fan of transparency,” said Ed Martin’s campaign spokeswoman, Theresa Petry.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

By Andrew Gaug

Sunday, June 6, 2010 at midnight

Bailouts, oil spills, partisan bickering – Robin Carnahan said it needs to stop.

The Missouri secretary of state, currently running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, made a stop at a private residence on Lovers Lane Saturday morning [...]]]> Carnahan criticizes bailouts
Democratic Senate hopeful stops in St. Joseph

By Andrew Gaug

Sunday, June 6, 2010 at midnight

Bailouts, oil spills, partisan bickering – Robin Carnahan said it needs to stop.

The Missouri secretary of state, currently running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, made a stop at a private residence on Lovers Lane Saturday morning to gain support for her campaign.

On Ms. Carnahan’s tour, titled “Stop the Bull,” the self-proclaimed country woman told about 80 attendees she has grown tired of the games politicians have been playing in Washington.

“One thing I learned when I was down on the farm was to know bull when I see it,” she said. “What I need is for you to know bull when you see and hear it as well, and call people out on that.”

Even with a Democratic majority in Congress and a Democrat in the White House, Ms. Carnahan said she has seen too many people get off easy while Americans foot the bill.

“We have too-big-to-fail companies continuing to be bailed out, and we have folks … in the Gulf now that are creating problems and expecting us to pay the bill for that,” she said.

In what might be taken as a counter to her own party’s activities, Ms. Carnahan said increases in government spending need to come to a halt.

“We’re in a situation where people are really changing their habits because we’re in a down economy, and we expect Washington to do the same,” she said.

Ms. Carnahan’s likely opponent in November would be Republican Congressman Roy Blunt, who stopped in St. Joseph on Friday. Ms. Carnahan realizes she’s facing strong opposition.

“It’s going to be a close race,” she said.

Ms. Carnahan warned that Mr. Blunt wields a strong sword, including heavy lobbyist donations. She mentioned a $1,000 contribution he received in May from Halliburton, a point she found offensive, as he serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Just last month, he started taking money from Halliburton who, if you remember, is one of the companies responsible for what’s going on in the Gulf right now,” she said.

Also a point of frustration for Ms. Carnahan was Mr. Blunt voting against ideals he claims to base his campaign on. She cited Mr. Blunt’s vote against the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010, which offered $3.6 billion in tax breaks for small businesses,

“This is a guy who runs around on a bus that says on the side, ‘Jobs for Missouri’s Future.’ And yet, when he goes back to Washington, he votes against those things,” she said.

Not skirting the elephant in the room, Ms. Carnahan said the oil spill that has dominated the news should not turn into another case of history repeating itself.

“We’ve got to hold the folks accountable who caused the problem, and not have this be another place where we’re expected to bail them out when they create a problem,” she said. “We’ve seen that story before … and we ought not to have to put up with that again.”

Link to Original Story

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 2, 2010 – Third congressional candidate Ed Martin recognizes the many agricultural issues facing Missourians especially in the 3rd district. For this reason, he is officially creating Third Congressional District Agricultural Advisory Group.

While most Missouri farmers, agri-businessmen and women, and small business owners in related agricultural fields are keeping their heads [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) June 2, 2010 – Third congressional candidate Ed Martin recognizes the many agricultural issues facing Missourians especially in the 3rd district. For this reason, he is officially creating Third Congressional District Agricultural Advisory Group.

While most Missouri farmers, agri-businessmen and women, and small business owners in related agricultural fields are keeping their heads down and working hard, the legislative proposals and regulations of the Obama administration are dominating their concerns for the future. In particular, the so-called Cap-and-Trade bill, for which Congressman Russ Carnahan gave his stamp of approval, is at the top of their concerns list. The Missouri Farm Bureau, among many others, is a vocal critic of this government’s activism saying, “The negative implications are very strong for agriculture.” (Hannibal Courier-Post, April 27, 2010) ”More than ever before, farmers and ranchers are literally fearful of what the federal government is planning to do in terms of cap and trade, the Clean Water Restoration Act, possible government run federal health care and spending that is out of control,” said Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau President. (Missouri Ruralist, Dec 14, 2009)

Ed Martin is taking a stand for Missouri agriculture. He strongly opposes cap-and-trade and understands the detrimental affects it would have on family farms and small businesses – the backbone of our country.  Missouri ranks 2nd in the United States in the number of farms with 105,000 farms according to the 2002 and 2007 Census of Agriculture. A 2009 report by the Missouri General Assembly highlights that agriculture adds more than $12.4 billion annually to the Show-Me State economy and employs more than 245,000 people in our state. This is why Ed Martin has created the Agricultural Advisory Group (AAG.)

AAG will hold a number of roundtables in order to address all of the federal issues piling up on the plate of local farmers. The Group will work with agricultural businesses and family farms in the 3rd district to brainstorm real solutions. “I need to be informed and hear their concerns in order to truly represent them in Washington,” said 3rd district congressional candidate Ed Martin

“Big government with its out-of-control spending habit is not an entity we look up to. Missouri farmers are struggling and we need someone to hear us – someone who won’t cave to big business but will look out for the best interest for all of us. We farmers need to be heard and I am thrilled Ed Martin has created this Agricultural Advisory Group and extremely honored to have been asked to be the co-chairman,” said Marty Strussion, owner of Cave Vineyard in Ste. Genevieve.

Members of AAG include David Reed as chairman, Marty Strussion as co-chairman, and Katie Smith as honorary chairman. Click on this hyperlink for a brief list of their relative work experience.

Congressman Carnahan wants to make it appear he is focused on agricultural issues too. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be in St. Louis fundraising for Carnahan this week.The Congressman can’t pull the wool over the eyes of Missouri farmers though – they knowCarnahan is out-of-touch with farmers – aside from farmers like his brother whose windmill farm would benefit from cap-and-trade.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Robin Carnahan publicly calls out her brother

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) May 13, 2010 – Once again Missouri Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan, calls out the actions of her brother. Congressman Russ Carnahan voted in favor of the Troubled Asset Relief Program which amounted to a $700 billion [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Robin Carnahan publicly calls out her brother

(ST. LOUIS, MO.) May 13, 2010 – Once again Missouri Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan, calls out the actions of her brother. Congressman Russ Carnahan voted in favor of the Troubled Asset Relief Program which amounted to a $700 billion Wall Street bailout.

The Kansas City Star today mentions the Robin Carnahan for Senate campaign is making its rounds this week attacking those who voted for TARP. Maybe she’s not aware but that includes her brother Rubberstamp Russ. It also includes one of Obama’s top fans – Senator Claire McCaskill. Robin claims she would have voted against the bailout bill; a bill many leftist blogs are saying is “one of the most successful programs ever.” Of course Robin tries to cover her bets by pointing out that the bailouts lacked accountability. She said repeatedly on a talk radio program on February 14, 2010 with host Jamie Allman that “I would have demanded accountability.”

“Her brother Russ Carnahan should have demanded some accountability when he voted in favor of the Chrysler bailout too. But he did nothing – as taxpayer money was given to the car company and they in turn shipped our local jobs across our country’s borders. Robin is right to criticize her brother and his rubberstamp votes,” said 3rd district congressional candidate Ed Martin.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

A Timeline of the Congressman’s Wasteful Spending

(ST. LOUIS, MO) May 11, 2010 – Congressman Russ Carnahan has a long history of being fiscally irresponsible with tax dollars. The new website created and paid for by the Ed Martin for Congress Campaign offers a timeline that pinpoints his wasteful [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

A Timeline of the Congressman’s Wasteful Spending

(ST. LOUIS, MO) May 11, 2010 – Congressman Russ Carnahan has a long history of being fiscally irresponsible with tax dollars. The new website created and paid for by the Ed Martin for Congress Campaign offers a timeline that pinpoints his wasteful spending while in office. The name of the site www.ninetymilliondollarcarnahan.com directly correlates to the $90 million dollars in federal stimulus money allocated to Carnahan’s brother, Tom, for his windmill farm. Rubberstamp Russ Carnahan’s fiscally irresponsible actions have already cost Missouri’s 3rd district constituents millions to billions of dollars and it continues to rise. Carnahan is costing taxpayers money from his vote on the stimulus bill to help secure his family’s financial gain, to his vote on Obamacare and the deficit extension, not to mention the use of taypayer money to campaign using frank mail.

“I think families should realize the wasteful ways in which their hard earned dollars are being misused by Congressman Carnahan. The timeline shows how time after time he votes to continue the out-of-control spending rampant in Washington, D.C. Since there is little transparency and Carnahan refuses to curb his costly actions you can count on us to disburse the information to constituents ourselves,” said 3rd district congressional candidate, Ed Martin.

Since Congressman Carnahan has such a habit of spending; you can expect the website to be an ongoing work in progress – including ways he himself avoids paying taxes.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Misuses Congressional Power for Campaign Purposes

(ST. LOUIS, MO) May 5, 2010 –Congressman Russ Carnahan is taking full advantage of mailing 3rd district constituents on their dime. Just in the past few months he’s sent out five different multi-color mailings and a letter with the seal of [...]]]> IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Theresa Petry, (314) 807-7077

Misuses Congressional Power for Campaign Purposes

(ST. LOUIS, MO) May 5, 2010 –Congressman Russ Carnahan is taking full advantage of mailing 3^rd district constituents on their dime. Just in the past few months he’s sent out five different multi-color mailings and a letter with the seal of the Congressman’s office on it. These mass mailings have become routine for Carnahan as he tries to organize his re-election campaign. He has sent constituents this frank mail trying to sell them on everything from the takeover of health care to senior’s issues. While constituents have complained about these mass mailings produced and sent using their money; Carnahan continues to inundate people as he campaigns.

The Democratic campaign consulting firm, The Chadderdon Group, which proudly produces Carnahan’s multi-color letters may be edgy but it’s costly too. Looking at House disbursement records it shows Carnahan spent $68,838.43 for a mailing to 233,482 people. Another House member sent a mailing to more than six times that many people for just eight grand more. (House Document 111-86 Oct. 1, 2009 – Jan. 2, 2010) It’s indicative of Carnahan’s out-of-control spending habit and misuse of taxpayer money. It’s money that isn’t even being poured back into his district. The Chadderdon Group, in the Washington, D.C. Beltway, states it is a political campaign consulting firm and proudly displays one of Carnahan’s “informative” mailings on its website. Chadderdon also touts an “award winner” mailing for being the “toughest direct mail piece.” This ad boastfully shows the picture of an abused child. This firm is as out of touch with the values of Missouri’s third district as Carnahan is himself.

“Carnahan is blatantly misusing the power of his office to campaign. That’s not just bad politics it’s poor judgment. He is recklessly spending taxpayer’s hard earned money to campaign. We are in a recession and you have a congressman who instead of facing the people of his district in public town halls sends out costly ad letters and on the people’s dime. He didn’t even bother to hire one of our local firms that are struggling to stay in business. Congressman Carnahan truly doesn’t understand the needs of his constituents and is burdening them with his campaign costs,” said 3^rd district congressional candidate, Ed Martin.

To date the six mass mailings sent equals more than half a million pieces of mail. This constant campaigning, disguised as frank mail, has cost taxpayers almost a quarter of a million dollars.

For more information about Martin’s background and the campaign, visit EdMartinforCongress.com, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ed4congress.

Theresa Petry
Press Secretary
“Ed Martin for Congress”
(314) 807-7077 (cell)

theresa.petry@edmartinforcongress.com
www.edmartinforcongress.com

Did Russ Carnahan break the law? As yacht-gate enters third week, possible legal problems looming

JEFFERSON CITY—With the City of St. Louis facing unprecedented budget shortfalls, Congressman Russ Carnahan has admitted that he has not paid St. Louis City personal property taxes [...]]]> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2010
Contact Jonathon Prouty
573-636-3146

Did Russ Carnahan break the law?
As yacht-gate enters third week, possible legal problems looming

JEFFERSON CITY—With the City of St. Louis facing unprecedented budget shortfalls, Congressman Russ Carnahan has admitted that he has not paid St. Louis City personal property taxes on his unregistered 42-foot yacht.  Carnahan moved the yacht from Missouri to Illinois, where yachts are exempt from personal property taxes.

Now, new questions are arising about whether Carnahan broke the law when he signed his 2009 St. Louis City Personal Property Tax Return.

The language found on the document, which Carnahan was forced to sign, clearly states that it is against the law to purposefully move personal property out of state to avoid taxes:

“I/We do hereby certify that the foregoing list contains a true and correct statement of all tangible personal property made taxable by the laws for the State of Missouri which I owned or which I had under my charge or management on the first day of January 2009. I further certify that I have not sent or taken or caused to be taken any property out of this state to avoid taxation. (Sec. 137.360 R.S.Mo)”

“Did Russ Carnahan break the law when he signed a legal document declaring that he was not avoiding Missouri personal property taxes—when he actually was?” asked Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “While Missourians struggle to stay afloat financially and are pinching pennies to make sure they can support their families and pay their fair share of taxes, Carnahan is skirting the law and not paying his fair share.  Residents of the 3^rd District are still awaiting a truthful explanation about his evasion of Missouri taxes.”

# # #

A recent episode detailed “yacht [...]]]> “Donnybrook” is a television show, run on local public station KETC channel 9.  Panelists focus on local issues typically engaging in a spirited back and forth among local media figures.  Anyone who loves St. Louis will become an instant fan (one of the legendary panelists Martin Duggan has endorsed my candidacy).

A recent episode detailed “yacht gate”, a controversy involving Russ Carnahan and his decision to berth his luxury yacht across the river in Alton (follow the link below – the segment starts at about 22 minutes).  While Alton may provide the preferred amenities for caring for his yacht, it has the added benefit of allowing our Congressman to avoid personal property taxes.

Having St. Louis’s favorite media curmudgeon Bill McClellan acknowledge that my objections to Carnahan’s decision have a point is something of a rush. I would like to expand on the theme Mr. McClellan and others began.  I would also like to rebut the charge that this is “absurd” and “meaningless” or that this is just a political story.

It is both a political story and a big deal.  Russ Carnahan has voted for every major tax increase to cross his desk.  Cap and trade, and increase in estate taxes, the taxes and fees contained in Obamacare are just a few.  Does anyone think Russ Carnahan will vote to block a value added tax?

Therefore, one can logically conclude that Carnahan thinks Americans are just not paying enough in taxes.  It follows then that since Russ Carnahan is an American, he would think he is not taxed enough either.

That’s not how he lives.

Russ Carnahan has structured his boat ownership in such a way as to avoid paying taxes.  I certainly don’t begrudge a man a tax break, but from a congressman who clearly thinks Americans need to pay more taxes it demonstrates an stunning myopia.  Not only does it look bad (imagine the fun his campaign would have if I had my Ford truck registered in Belleville to avoid taxes) it shows that Carnahan has at best addled thinking when it comes taxation.  He either thinks he owes too little and ought to pony up, or he thinks we are taxed enough and ought to resist new taxes.

The more likely explanation is that Russ Carnahan simply does what speaker Pelosi asks of him, without thinking too much about it.  His own health care benefits – and that of his staff – are threatened by Obamacare.  Does this sound like a man who is carefully considering the impact of legislation?  Like all of us, he wants to minimize his tax bill because he thinks he pays enough already.  Unfortunately for us, the perks and power that come from being Nancy Pelosi’s “low maintenance” congressman matter more than protecting his constituents from job-killing tax burdens.  In all due respect to Ray Hartman, the care and thoughtfulness Russ Carnahan puts into his decision making about issues like taxation are at the very core of governance.

Russ Carnahan lives as if we are taxed enough, but votes as if he is not.  I think the way he lives is the correct position, I just wish he’d vote that way.

That’s how I will vote as your congressman.  I will not raise your taxes.

April 22 Donnybrook