This past Tuesday, the North Carolina Democratic Party held a fundraiser in their headquarters that was attended by Gov. Bev Perdue, members of the Council of State, a handful of legislators (including Speaker Joe Hackney), and an unknown number of lobbyists. The gathering was held the same week that members of the General Assembly were debating ethics reforms and the state budget.
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall was also one of the guests attending the function. Curiously, Marshall’s office maintains a Lobbying Compliance Division, which directly regulates lobbyists. According to an article appearing in the News & Observer, Marshall was unsure that lobbyists would also be in attendance. While strolling into the fundraiser with Sen. Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood), Marshall said, “I knew it was a fundraiser, but I didn’t know who was on the invitation list.”
A video of Secretary Marshall walking into the fundraiser with Sen. Queen can be seen below.
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