2023 Rock the Capital Speaks Out on Big Campaign Cash in PA

“From fine dining to rental cars, John Weinstein spends big campaign cash — even with no opponent. Mr. Weinstein's campaign spent $1.2 million over 8 years — tens of thousands of it in ways that raised questions for good-government advocates.”

(“Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,” Mike Wereschagin.)

As reelection campaigns go, Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein's last two were as easy as they get.

No Democrat challenged him in the 2015 or 2019 primaries, and Republicans didn't even bother fielding candidates in either general election. But despite running unopposed, Mr. Weinstein's campaign spent $1.2 million from 2014 through 2022 — tens of thousands of it in ways that raised questions for good-government advocates.

More than $120,000 for meals at some of the region's finest restaurants. At least $5,400 on membership dues at the posh Rivers Club in Downtown. Another $50,000 for monthly car payments and rentals — including $40,000 in years when he wasn't even on the ballot.

“It’s a striking sum to have spent over that period of time when you’re not facing an opponent,” said Patrick Christmas, chief policy officer at the good-government group Committee of Seventy.

"In an era of political excess, this spending pattern is outrageous,” said Eric Epstein, a longtime government ethics reform advocate and founder of the prominent public watchdog group Rock the Capitol. “Once again we are reminded why we need campaign finance, and real spending guard rails."

“It’s hard to govern like a Joe the Plumber when you spend like Kim Kardashian,” Mr. Epstein said.

Mr. Weinstein did not respond to an interview request or a list of questions sent by email.

Pennsylvania law gives candidates almost unfettered leeway when it comes to spending political donations. The law only requires that the money be spent "to influence the outcome of an election," a definition so broad that it has allowed politicians to use political donations for prime seats at major sporting events, trips through Europe with their families and even, in one case, a vintage pickup truck.

"We're at the top of the list for bottom feeders," Mr. Epstein said. "There's regular competition for which state is the most corrupt, and we're always in the Final Four."

Mr. Weinstein has campaigned as a sound financial steward and a reliable guardian of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

As treasurer of Pennsylvania’s second-largest county, he oversees the collection and investment of more than $1 billion in taxes and fees. His campaign highlights multiple investment policy awards from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada. And during his decades running the office — which coincided with the internet’s growth into most facets of modern life — he has modernized the ways county residents can pay their bills by allowing online transactions.

But Mr. Weinstein’s spending of donors’ money suggests he’s "leading a gilded life with other people's campaign donations,” Mr. Epstein said. “Weinstein is spending a hell of a lot of money to campaign against Harvey the Rabbit. There have to be limits on how you can spend the money," he said. "We need to tighten the guardrails."