An illustration of campaign funds. (Getty Images)
LINCOLN — The state agency charged with enforcing Nebraska’s campaign finance laws needs a new executive director about a year after it promoted a leader from within.
David Hunter, who was appointed by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission promoted to the position in July 2023has asked to return to his previous job as deputy director for personal reasons, officials said.
The group expects Hunter to serve in an interim role until his replacement is hired, meaning the group won’t be leaderless during a typically contentious presidential election year.
A complex job
Hunter, reached by the Nebraska Examiner on Monday, confirmed the accuracy of the vacancy at the NADC and government hiring websites. He referred questions to Jeff Davis, who is president of the NADC.
Davis said the commission was “pleased with the job” Hunter has done. The commissioners wanted to keep him in the organization, Davis said. Hunter began working for the NADC in 2000.
Hunter has followed in the footsteps of former director Frank Daley, who retired after a quarter century as director. Daley first joined the NADC in the late 1980s.
The executive director hires and manages the commission’s day-to-day staff — about seven to eight people. The director often helps candidates and campaigns learn the agency’s rules.
This sometimes brings NADC leaders into conflict with elected officials. The director also communicates regularly with campaign workers, political activists and reporters.
The salary for this job is $110,000 to $115,000 per year.
Campaign financing and complaints
The NADC processes candidates’ periodic campaign finance filings and handles formal complaints alleging violations of campaign finance laws. It also works with the commission on enforcement.
“The theory is that people should be able to contribute to campaigns as much as they want as a right of free speech, but it’s important that everyone knows who’s contributing to what so voters can make a more informed decision,” Davis said. “That’s our primary function.”
The group also processes documents naming lobbyists, as well as declarations of financial interests and potential conflicts of interest. These documents help the public identify concerns.
“Sunshine is the best disinfectant and the way the public can make an informed decision about who they want to support,” Davis said.
Davis said the NADC expects Hunter to finalize the election as executive director and plans to review resumes before the committee’s December meeting.
“We don’t necessarily need to be in a hurry,” he said. “We want to find the person who is the right match.”
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