Fifth-district congressional candidate Jeffrey Clark has offered to back out of the race if either of his opponents admits to having leaked the details of his troubled financial history, which were reported Sunday by The Daily Progress.
Clark filed for bankruptcy in 1993 and had a history of debt. The Daily Progress received this tip from an anonymous source.
Clark offered Monday to remove himself from candidacy against Democratic incumbent Tom Perriello and Republican nominee Robert Hurt if someone steps forward to claim responsibility for the leak within 48 hours.
"What we're asking is that whoever was the person who delivered the package under anonymity granted by the reporter step forward, release the reporter from this obligation and reveal how the information was gathered," Clark said. "We want to know if this individual was paid or worked voluntary, and if they were reimbursed or have any connection with either political party."
Although Clark insists that whoever leaked information about his financial history did so with sinister intentions, Isaac Wood, communications director at the University Center for Politics and a former Cavalier Daily columnist, disagrees.
"Opposition research is a mainstay of politics," Wood said. "This is all public info. I am sure that both camps knew this information already. It is pretty standard to go and check this stuff out."\nClark, an independent, is representing the Tea Party in the election. He said the attack, which he believes comes from the Hurt campaign, is a display of hypocrisy.
"[Hurt] says we're not viable and wants to prevent us from participating in debates," Clark said, "but he's willing to spend thousands on researching us."
Clark said he is "99.9 percent sure that the Hurt campaign is behind this," adding "this is something he routinely engages in."
"He can end this quickly," Clark said of Hurt. "He can open his records and reveal exactly what was done. He should let people of the district make up their own minds. Hurt is engaging in politics of personal distraction."
Hurt's campaign responded to Clark's accusations and did not admit to any wrongdoing.
"It's unfortunate to hear about Jeff Clark's financial troubles, but we will not give credence to Clark's speculations and attacks," Hurt Campaign spokesperson Amanda Henneberg said.
Incriminating information is often a part of political races, and Wood suggested that if similar information existed about the other two candidates' financial histories, the public would have known months ago.
Wood also said he does not predict the incident to cause a drastic change in amount of support for any candidate.
"I think if this was tied to Hurt's campaign, it could turn off a small number of supporters," Wood said. "I don't think it will have negative effect. If this is something from Hurt's campaign, it's not worth it for them to step up to owning it. Opposition research is something like negative ads that voters are not entirely comfortable with. For Hurt, there is more risk than benefit."
Hurt's campaign also dismissed Clark's accusations, calling them a "politically motivated sideshow" that detracts from the election's main issues.\nClark remains optimistic about his campaign and does believes his financial history will change the mind of his supporters.
"Average Americans sometimes run into problems. We have a country that believes people can redeem themselves," he said.
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