Fenty rethinks hitting taxpayers with campaign trips

June 19, 2008 - 3:34pm

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - It was first reported on WTOP that D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's campaign trips on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama have cost taxpayers more than $50,000. And while Fenty had previously not commented on the findings, he said Wednesday he is reconsidering how to pay for the trips.

Taxpayers paid for three members of Fenty's executive staff, 10 police officers, and three detectives to travel with Fenty as he campaigned across the country for Obama over the past five months, according to records provided by the mayor's office.

"If the mayor wants to travel for political purposes, that's certainly his right to do so, but partisan activity should not to be paid for at public expense," says Councilmember Phil Mendelson.

Fenty says he will review his policy.

"The citizens of the District of Columbia have my commitment that we will review everything we're doing, compare it to what other big city mayors do and compare with what governors do. And if it is not following what those big city mayors are doing, then we'll make an adjustment."

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley made several trips for Sen. Hillary Clinton, but his spokesperson says all expenses were paid for with campaign dollars.

A spokesperson for Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine says Kaine took several trips for Obama, but there was no cost to Virginia taxpayers because Obama paid for a charter plane, and staff took vacation days when they accompanied the governor.

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

"If the mayor wants to travel for political purposes, that's certainly his right to do so, but partisan activity should not to be paid for at public expense," says Councilmember Phil Mendelson.

Fenty says he will review his policy.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley made several trips for Sen. Hillary Clinton, but his spokesperson says all expenses were paid for with campaign dollars.

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