The presence of a dark money group backing a phantom candidate raises concerns about the transparency and integrity of the political process, as well as the influence of outside interests on elections.
In recent news, a mysterious dark money group called Jersey Freedom has emerged, airing a TV ad on Fox News in support of Giuseppe Costanzo, a shadowy phantom candidate running as the conservative Senate candidate in the 4th district. The independent expenditure ad aims to divert Republican votes from GOP candidate Christopher Del Borrello. However, the donors behind Jersey Freedom remain undisclosed, leaving the public in the dark about who is funding this campaign.
What is even more concerning is the connection between Jersey Freedom and Brighter Future Forward, another independent expenditure group linked to the South Jersey Democratic machine. Both groups have used the same media firm, LC Media, to handle their attack ads against Del Borrello. Lisa Cabanel, the owner of LC Media, refused to discuss Jersey Freedom when contacted by reporters, adding to the secrecy surrounding this dark money group.
The lack of transparency surrounding Jersey Freedom and its ties to the South Jersey Democratic machine raises questions about the motives and intentions behind their support for Costanzo. It is essential for voters to know who is funding political campaigns to ensure transparency and prevent undue influence on the electoral process.
Moreover, the candidacy of Costanzo himself raises further suspicions. He has no campaign funds, social media presence, or digital footprint. He has not made a case for his own candidacy and does not even answer his phone. Until earlier this year, he was not even a registered voter. These factors contribute to the perception that Costanzo is nothing more than a mythical figure, further adding to the shadowy nature of this entire campaign.
Furthermore, the involvement of Angela McGeehan, one of the circulators of Costanzo’s nominating petitions, raises eyebrows. McGeehan has close ties to South Jersey Democrats and has collected a significant number of signatures for Costanzo and his running mate, Maureen Dukes-Penrose, from registered Democrats, despite both candidates running as conservatives. This suggests a potential effort to manipulate the election by siphoning votes from Del Borrello.
In conclusion, the emergence of Jersey Freedom, a dark money group backing a phantom candidate, raises concerns about the transparency and integrity of the political process. The undisclosed donors, the connection to the South Jersey Democratic machine, and the questionable actions surrounding Costanzo’s candidacy all contribute to a lack of trust in the electoral system. It is crucial for voters to be informed and for measures to be taken to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaigns.
