Gov. Nathan Deal’s campaign fund is down to its last $32,000, but it’s still paying off commissions to his daughter-in-law’s fundraising business.
Deal, who won re-election in November and can’t legally seek a third term, reported raising $6,500 last month and spending $89,000. About half of that went to the fundraising company owned by his daughter-in-law, Denise Deal, and an additional $30,000 went to bonuses for staffers who helped him beat Democrat Jason Carter.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last month that Denise Deal’s companies had been paid more than $1.5 million by the governor’s re-election campaign for fundraising. Her current company, The Sassafrass Group, received an additional $44,212 as commission on Jan. 31.
The governor’s staffers said he plans to pay off his campaign expenses and close his re-election account, probably by June 30.
However, at least some of those affiliated with the campaign, including Denise Deal, will likely move over to a new fundraising political action committee or other fund to help the governor push his agenda the next four years. Among other things, his staffers said they will raise money to help supporters in the General Assembly.