Atlanta Unfiltered

Leaders in the public sector have plenty of public resources to promote their political views, accomplishments and experience. Often the public record holds much more: personal and campaign finance disclosures, expense reports, and business, tax and court filings. Here’s what they show:

John K. Carson Jr. (R-Marietta)

District 46 (Cobb and Cherokee counties)

Legislative website

Campaign website

Voting record

Overview

Other Republican legislators have donated $43,000 to his campaign committee in 2011 and 2012.

Political career

• Elected 2011 to the Georgia House in a special election, winning by a margin of nearly 2-1 over former Sen. Robert Lamutt.
• Re-elected 2012 with 74 percent of the vote.
  

Committee assignments

• Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications (2012 – present)
  
• Insurance (2012 – present)
  
• Intragovernmental Coordination (2012 – present)
  
• Ways & Means (2013 – )

Occupation

• Certified public accountant, SunTrust Banks

Business ownership interests

• None disclosed
  

Fiduciary positions

• None disclosed

Investment interests

• None disclosed

Real estate holdings

• Personal residence in Cobb County, valued at $270,000
  

State payments

• None disclosed

Campaign contributions

• 2011: $24,174
• 2012: $97,419
• Reported cash on hand (Jan. 2013): $15,792

Top donors

• $43,000 other Republican legislators
  
• $3,000 Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (Civil Justice PAC)
• $2,500 American Federation for Children
• $1,800 Georgia Bankers Association
• $1,750 SunTrust Bank
• $1,500 Cable Television Association of Georgia
• $1,500 Cobb County Republican Party
• $1,500 Georgia Association of Realtors
• $1,500 State Farm Insurance (SFA PAC)
• $1,250 AT&T
• $1,250 Georgia Dental Association
  

Campaign-to-campaign donations

Candidates may make political donations with campaign funds, allowing prolific fund-raisers to share their contributions with other legislators or candidates. Some advocacy groups believe such transfers should be limited to an aggregate of $10,000 per election cycle. Carson’s committee made these political donations:

• 2011-12: $5,850

Lobbyist gifts

Lobbyists have reported paying for meals and other gifts for Carson valued at about $2,700 since 2011. The big spenders: University System of Georgia ($527), AT&T ($400), Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia ($243).

• 2011: $273
• 2012: $2,426
  

Committee days & travel expenses

When the Legislature is out of session, members may collect $173 per diem, plus mileage, for committee meetings or other official business. (Per diem was $127 prior to 2007.) Lawmakers living within 50 miles of the Capitol are taxed on these payments, which were originally intended to cover out-of-town members’ food and lodging. Here’s the annual breakdown, based on the year in which the expenses were paid:

• 2012: $2,568 (13 days)
  
• 2013: $2,568 (13 days)

Updated April 25, 2013