State Representative Candidate 'Fallen off the Face of the Earth'
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Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Allegations of forgery, missing campaign money and unpaid bills are being levied against a Democratic candidate by his own party.
Kosciusko County Democratic Chairman Terry Bartley told the Times-Union Thursday that Christopher Wright has “fallen off the face of the earth” and that the local party has “washed our hands of him.”
Wright won the Democratic nomination to run against long-time incumbent Dave Wolkins for the District 18 State Representative seat.
Wright ran unopposed in the May primary.
Bartley and Kosciusko County Clerk Jason McSherry also both said that Wright’s former campaign treasurer came to them and claimed her signature was forged on a campaign finance report.
Wright’s next campaign finance report form is due Oct. 19 by noon.
On Wright’s previous report filed April 19 and certified, he claimed to owe $200 for a “loan to start off” as well as $18 for postage.
McSherry said the prosecutor’s office contacted the former campaign treasurer but that she declined filing charges.
County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton confirmed this morning that his office did investigate such a claim and that the former treasurer didn’t want to proceed with charges.
Bartley said Wright changed his number, left no forwarding address and has not been in touch with any party official.
About three weeks before the Democratic state convention, Bartley said, is the last time he saw Wright.
“He stiffed the 3rd district on Jefferson-Jackson Dinner tickets,” said Bartley. “He stiffed us on convention fees.”
Arthur Brown also said Wright contracted him to build a website, which Wright never paid for.
The cost of that, said Brown, was about $250.
While the tickets and convention fees only total $120, Bartley also said Wright made off with $700 from a fundraiser in Wabash.
According to Bartley, a pulled pork fundraiser at a union hall in Wabash was held for Wright. The hall and food was donated. The event raised $700 and that money was given to Wright.
Bartley claims that money was never spent on anything for the campaign.
“We started asking about lawn signs and literature,” said Bartley.
McSherry said that since Wright is a state candidate, a complaint and investigation would be handled by the state board of elections.
The complaint would have to be filed by someone who lives in District 18.
Now the Democrats won’t have anyone they support to run against Wolkins.
The deadline to replace Wright passed about three weeks ago, said Bartley.
“He told me he was going to hand in his resignation papers and step out of the race,” said Bartley. “Then I never heard from him.”
“He’s getting no endorsement, no support from us,” said Bartley.
Bartley also warned those in the community about donating to Wright’s campaign.
“If he’s campaigning, we want people to know it’s not for us or supported by us,” said Bartley.
Bartley and other county Democrats said they’ve tried to contact Wright but his phone number has been disconnected.
The Times-Union attempted to contact Wright with a phone number that was provided at the time of the primary.
An automated message said that number had been disconnected or changed.
Brown said he even took to social media site Facebook to reach him.
“He’s taken his profile down,” said Brown.
Bartley said that with Wright’s situation, the county party will now throw all its weight behind District 22 candidate John Bonitati as well as county council candidates LeeAnn Brown and Josh Bartman.
“I’m glad for the support,” said Bonitati. “But this is a definite black eye for us.”
Bartley and Democrat Steve Haines said they’ve already returned checks sent by groups to support Wright.
“Running for office is a big responsibility,” said Bartley. “And it needs to be taken seriously.”
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
