Clarke paid spouse for consulting work; State Rep. Donna Clarke's husband and his business got more than $47,000 over 3 campaigns.(B SECTION)

Byline: VICTOR HULL victor.hull@heraldtribune.com

SARASOTA COUNTY -- Donna Clarke hasn't had to look very far to find a consultant to direct her three campaigns for the state Legislature.

Since 2000, she's turned to her husband, paying him more than $47,000.

Although it is legal, several experts said candidates rarely hire spouses as consultants because it risks allegations that they're using campaign contributions for personal benefit.

"It gets down to what the person is doing to actually earn the money," said Ben Wilcox, head of the public interest group Common Cause in Florida.

Clarke's husband, Guy Azar, said he moved into consulting after retiring from GTE.

"I've always been very politically active, and my spouse has been. That kind of melts together over the years," Azar said.

He described his role …