Clip-n-Save: Super race and 527s

Three candidates for superintendent of public instruction don't want 527 ads.

Incumbent Superintendent June Atkinson, Democratic challenger Eddie Davis and Republican candidate Eric H. Smith said at a rally today that they do not want outside groups running independent ads in their race.

Here are their exact responses:

Atkinson: "I believe that 527 money would undermine the spirit of this candidacy, of this race, and I am working to get individuals to participate through a grassroots effort in our state."

Davis: "I'm not aware of any independent expenditures, but I would encourage anyone who is looking at that to recognize the importance of this program and to decide not do to that."

Smith: "I am concerned that there are going to be some special interest money coming in and I'm hoping that you the media will go to these groups and ask them if this is what they're going to do. A lot of these groups have supported this program, but the media needs to challenge these folks to be sure that they're still not going to try to get in and influence the elections."

N.C. Voters for Clean Elections coordinator Chase Foster pointed out that there is a "rescue money" provision in the law for candidates who face independent expenditures from 527 groups.

"Regardless of whether public financing is in play, independent expenditures are a problem," he said.