Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long's campaign sees top staffers leave in wake of financial audit

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long’s campaign manager and fundraising consultant have left her gubernatorial campaign in the wake of concerns surrounding possible issues with past campaign finance reports, according to several people with direct knowledge.

Hall-Long announced last week that she is conducting an audit of past campaign finance reports. The lieutenant governor has not suspended her campaign, but she is not soliciting donations at this time.

Longtime supporters told Delaware Online/The News Journal that they have, in recent days, become deeply distressed about the state of Hall-Long’s campaign, with some questioning her judgment.

The lieutenant governor reached out to supporters last week to explain herself. Supporters say they feel they are not receiving direct answers from the lieutenant governor regarding the possible issue with campaign finances.

They have described the candidate as “flustered” and “contradictory” in her explanations. The stories they are being told, according to these supporters, are not lining up.

In response to the departures, a campaign spokesperson in a statement said Hall-Long is “grateful for the people that helped us launch the campaign and are now moving on as we head into the next phase of the campaign.”

The campaign named Shaku Bhaya, Anne Farley and Roshan Patel as advisers to the campaign.

In a written statement, Bhaya and Farley said they support Hall-Long and continue to stand by her.

"We are confident that we will elect her as the next governor of Delaware," they wrote. "We believe in Bethany and know that her drive, compassion, leadership and record of accomplishment make her the best-qualified person to lead this state and make Delaware the best place to live, work and raise a family."

Brandon Cox and Jennifer Mueller, the former campaign manager and fundraiser, respectively, could not be reached for comment.

WHAT WE KNOW: Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long reviewing campaign finance reports amid possible 'issues'

What prompted the campaign finances review?

The campaign did not provide any specific details on what kick-started the need for a review, saying that “in the run up to the launch of the campaign, Bethany requested a review and now there is an independent audit of the reports in the works.”

The campaign spokesperson said it consists of a “full thorough review of all of the reports."

The official declined to provide a specific timeline to Delaware Online/The News Journal on when this will be completed and if it will be made public.

“We hired an independent team of finance experts and forensic accountants who are working swiftly to review the reporting and will be prepared to amend any reports as needed,” the spokesperson said. “We look forward to having results soon.”

Dana Long, the lieutenant governor’s husband, has previously served as her campaign treasurer. He has created problems for the politician in the past, most notably for stealing a Republican opponent’s campaign signs in 2014.

DELAWARE POLITICS: Delaware election officials won't say if Hall-Long's possible finance issues under review

At least one supporter has questioned if Hall-Long has a path forward politically, even if no issues are ultimately identified.

Hall-Long canceled two fundraisers, including one hosted by Gov. John Carney, according to emails obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal. Carney announced his endorsement of her just one day after her campaign launch on Sept. 12.

Matt Meyer pushes forward in fundraising

Her opponent New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer started the year with about $1 million in his war chest, about double what Hall-Long reported at the time.

A Democratic official with direct knowledge said Matt Meyer has raised $100,000 since Hall-Long’s announcement on Thursday. Meyer, who started his political career as a progressive outsider, has been a polarizing figure to many in his own party.

Michael Atkins, deputy press secretary for Meyer’s campaign, said in a statement that the past three weeks have been “the best fundraising weeks we have had since our launch.”

Meyer, Atkins said, has more than $1 million cash on hand, consisting of “thousands of small dollar contributions.”

Stronghold supporters

Some Democrats continue to stand by Hall-Long. Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst recently urged House lawmakers to support Hall-Long and not to believe the rumors about her campaign, this Democratic official said. A House of Representatives spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

Sen. Nicole Poore, a Democrat from New Castle, said in an interview that Hall-Long’s decision to conduct an audit is “showing us what true leadership looks like.” She praised the lieutenant governor for her “integrity" and "transparency.”

The Democrat said she doesn’t think the financial audit, and the reasons behind it, have changed people’s opinions of the longtime politician.

“She is being upfront,” Poore said. “Isn’t that something you should want from a leader?”

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Hall-Long campaign sees departure of top staffers in wake of audit