By Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – The father-in-law of Republican gubernatorial candidate David Williams contributed $1 million to the Republican Governor's Association last month, sparking complaints from Democrats.
The Kentucky Gazette reported Monday that Terry Stephens, owner of Stephens Pipe and Steel in Russell Springs, made the contribution on June 22.
Stephens told the newspaper that he's not in the habit of making such large contributions, but "David is family." He said he knew that the RGA couldn't earmark his donation for the Kentucky campaign, so, he said, his contribution was made "on faith."
The RGA had said even before Stephens' contribution that it planned to be aggressively involved in the Kentucky gubernatorial race, one of only four in the nation this year. The group has already been running TV ads in Kentucky.
Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon complained Monday that Stephens' donation was made about two weeks before the RGA's Bluegrass Prosperity PAC began running TV ads in support of Williams. He said that suggested improper coordination had occurred between the campaign and the organization.
RGA spokesman Mike Schrimpf said the RGA has fully complied with the law.
The RGA reported more than $22 million in contributions between Jan. 1 and June 30.