#NC-03: Wannabe Murphy aide causing confusion, giving congressman’s team a headache
Sometimes, folks get so enthusiastic about the candidates they support that they cause more problems than they solve. That appears to be the case with GOP activist Dianne Layden and rookie congressman Greg Murphy. Media and political types all over the NC political universe have reported getting calls from Layden — where she apparently gives off the impression she is some sort of official spokesman for or representative of the congressman from Pitt County.
It got me curious. I contacted some folks I KNOW to be close to Murphy. I was told that Layden held the title of “northeastern coordinator” –a grassroots organizing position — during the recently completed campaign. I was told she did receive some payment for her work.
One particular Murphy intimate I spoke with made things pretty clear:
“We appreciate Dianne’s hard work for us during the campaign. But the campaign is over. It’s time to govern. She is neither an official representative nor a spokesperson for Greg Murphy. She should not be telling people such. Nor should she be doing things to make people think so. ”
Message received?
Her name is also on this list and I would never want my name on this list #ConservativeBeforeRepublican This is clearly a list of people in the party that should be avoided
https://www.thomtillis.com/tillis-campaign-announces-statewide-grassroots-leadership-team/?fbclid=IwAR2q_NeIoMv4Cc0zHIhbI5YrnCZzhYDm5npCzHF_IaWjuAkIUjPUx9O9XfA
Looking at Congressman Murphy’s FEC report, I don’t see where Ms. Layden received any payment…
I touched base with my Murphy sources regarding your comment. Ms. Layden would have been a “subcontractor” to the campaign whose “expenses” — mileage, etc. — would have been paid through LSR consulting. It’s my understanding that is a fairly common, accepted practice for documenting payment of campaign workers to whom very small amounts are disbursed. Check operating expenses on Murphy’s report — specifically payments to LSR Consulting on 9/26, 8/23, and 6/26 as examples.
Thank you Dianne for standing up for Chowan & Perquimans Counties to keep us in Congressional District 3. Can’t believe the derogatory comments directed toward you. Looks like the movement of Pitt County precincts really upset someone and that someone is using you as a scapegoat. You are a hard grassroots worker that is committed to conservative values. Someone owes you an apology for this unwarranted accusation. We will keep working hard to keep Chowan and Perquimans in the 3rd District.
I have helped Dianne Layden out during the past few campaign months doing very menial, behind the scenes work. If she was going to present herself as a spokesperson for Congressman Murphy, I (a person with no political clout) would have been the prime person for her to do that to. Never once did she in anyway indicate she was a spokesperson. However, many times I have heard her say “I have to check with Lindy Robinson or Lynda Blount because they are the campaign decision makers.”
Dianne Layden was right in voicing support for the northeastern counties to stay in the same district. We struggle to be noticed as part of North Carolina at times. We share so many similarities and are so rural it only makes good sense to combine us in one district. When I discussed the maps with Dianne the emphasis was always what is good for our district. She never once said to me or indicated in anyway that breaking us up is bad because Congressman Murphy will not be in our district.
I am glad Congressman Murphy is my Congressman because I believe him to be honorable, smart and CONSERVATIVE. I also believe Chowan and Perquimans should remain in District 3.
It was only a matter of time for this to happen with the Murphy campaign. Just ask Bob Steinburg why he fired her as his campaign treasurer. I’m sure she has been begging Murphy to hire her for some position that she would not be able to fulfill. She will turn on you quicker than you can blink if you give her the opportunity.