Rivals want transparency in political spending

In Delaware’s 7th Congressional District, both candidates want those behind attack ads to step up and acknowledge their handiwork.

Outside groups are pouring big money into this year’s mid-term elections. In Delaware’s 7th Congressional District, both candidates are calling for disclosure.

The campaign for the seat is drawing more than a million dollars in outside spending by groups that do not have to disclose their donors. All but a fraction of that money is being spent attacking the Democratic candidate Bryan Lentz.

Lentz has benefitted from several thousand dollars spent by similar groups that support liberal candidates. But he said the practice of anonymous giving to campaigns has to change.

“I’m willing to condemn it on both sides. No one should spend anonymous money,” said Lentz.”Now, not only can people spend unlimited amounts of money but they don’t have to tell you who its from.”

Virginia Davis, a spokeswoman for Meehan, said he too is disturbed by the trend. .

“He believes that these kinds of groups, the donors should be disclosed in a timely manner,” said Davis. “And he would support laws to insure that.”