Jackson fined for late loan disclosure

(AP) The State Board of Elections has fined Republican lieutenant governor candidate E.W. Jackson for waiting too late to disclose a $25,000 loan to his campaign.

Charlottesville lawyer Donald Lee Woodsmall gave Jackson the loan on May 8. Jackson reported it on June 3.

State law requires that candidates report contributions or loans of $5,000 or more by 5 p.m. the following day if made in the 12 days prior to a nominating event. Jackson was chosen as the GOP lieutenant governor nominee at a May 18 convention.

State Board of Elections spokeswoman Nikki Sheridan says the $100 fine was issued June 4. It has not yet been paid.

The fine was first reported by The Washington Post. Jackson’s campaign did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

In Jackson’s latest required campaign finance filing on June 3, he reported raising more than $120,000 from April 1 through May 29, including the $25,000 loan. The remaining $95,000 in donations were not itemized, as required by state law. Jackson’s report noted that an amended version would be submitted later.

State law requires that all committees itemize, on each report, contributors whose total exceeds $100. The law grants the elections board 21 days to review each report for completeness and notify the committee of any missing information.

The fiery Chesapeake minister was a surprise winner at the Republican nominating convention. He has said he’s in the process of transitioning from focusing on the convention to November’s general election.

Jackson’s opponent was be chosen between two Democrats — state Sen. Ralph Northam and Aneesh Chopra — on June 11, with the winner known after press time.