Trzop: Fellow candidates should ask supporters give donations to charity

STAFF REPORT

PETE TRZOP

Sunday, April 6, 2014 — A candidate for judge-executive has asked his fellow candidates to ask those who wish to donate to their political campaigns to instead give the money to local charities.

In an e-mail sent to local media on Tuesday, April 1st, Pete Trzop suggested the move as a way of putting donations to a better use.

“With all the need out there for our seniors, veterans and children, I want to see less money in politics and more into helping others,” Trzop stated in the e-mail.

Trzop credited the idea to an individual who wished to donate to his campaign, but was in financial straits. Trzop suggested the donor instead give his time to a local charity which would allow some good to come from his campaign for office.

“Often time money is raised by politicians as a form of tribute and favorable treatment,” Trzop said in his e-mail.

“People of all political parties want to donate to me, but are concerned about fallout. So the obvious solution is to donate to organizations in our local community and make a silent statement of support.”

Donations can go to the donor’s favorite charity, he wrote, recommending donations of time or money stay with local organizations.

“I would challenge my opponent and others running for office to do the same and turn a normally negative process into a positive opportunity to help others,” he wrote.

As the executive director of Boys State, a premier leadership training program for youth, Trzop refused to accept income or stipend for his volunteered time. He did the same for his service as president of the Fort Knox Warriors Transition Association, he noted.

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