John Beard has accepted $6,850 in PAC contributions for this year's campaign

When John Beard ran for the State Assembly four years ago, he campaigned on behalf of public funding of campaigns, saying then that special interest group money had too much influence in politics.

However, his campaign for re-election in 2010 has accepted at least $6,850 in donations from political action committees.  That includes a contribution of $1,500 from the Associated General Contractors of Iowa and $1,000 contributions from Iowa Corn Growers Association and from Bankers Unite in Legislative Decisions.  In all, 19 PACs have given money to Beard's campaign.

When contacted by decorahnews.com, Beard said, "The reality is it's an arms race out there."  That's why he decided to accept the contributions--to make sure he had access to "the megaphone" of the media.

Beard says he worked during the last legislative session on several members designed to promote public funding of campaigns and more openness in campaign donations.

He says, unfortunately, it costs money to get the word out about a political campaign.  "I hate that," he states.

In all, the campaign financing report filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board shows John Beard having raised $14,195 during the last disclosure statement period--and now having $19,547 of cash on hand.  By contrast, Republican Bon Hager has raised $3,565 and now has a total of $6,965 on hand.