District 4 City Council candidate Larry Grohn said he is challenging incumbent Jack Benson and the other candidates for the seat to issue their complete financial disclosure statements prior to the start of early voting.
The state code (T.C.A. § 2-10-105(c)(1)) has not been changed concerning financial disclosures since the advent of early voting. Under current state requirements the first disclosure, the pre-general, is not due until Feb. 26, he noted.
Mr. Grohn said, "This date is 13 days after the start of early voting.
Mr. Benson has frequently mentioned the need for the City Council to educate the voters about issues.
"In the spirit of openness and transparency it is important for the voters of the 4th District to be fully educated on any facts pertinent to their voting decision. Therefore, they deserve the right to know the identity of and the amount of support each candidate has received from their financial backers, before early voting begins."
Mr. Grohn said he submitted three quarterly reports to the election commission in 2012 and will make a report available to the press which will include his Feb. 8 Meet-n-Greet fundraiser.