Originally published by Public Source on February 13, 2023. Read more here.

As disclosures show county executive campaigns receiving five- and six-figure checks, some officials are trying to bring the county into line with federal and city contribution caps.

Khalif Ali, executive director of the government reform group Common Cause PA, said such large donations can lead to “unfettered access” to public officials for the donors, “and with unfettered access, in my mind, comes influence.”

“The county executive position is extremely powerful, extremely influential when it comes to economic development in Allegheny County,” Ali said. “There are a lot of decisions that can be influenced and nudged a particular way with high-dollar donations.”