Minnesota DFL Party files complaint against Senate Republican Caucus

"MNDFL" "MNGOP"

02/14/2012

DFL Chair says at least 12 GOP Senators printed and distributed partisan campaign literature at taxpayer expense






ST. PAUL - This afternoon the Minnesota DFL Party filed a complaint against the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus and 12 GOP state senators, including Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, for using public funds to print partisan campaign literature in the Senate offices.

As MPR reported yesterday, the literature thanks constituents for "joining this Republican precinct caucus," contains links to a Republican fundraising website (screenshots attached) and was handed out exclusively at Republican caucus locations. The website link on the literature was later changed from the fundraising site to the Caucus Facebook page. DFL Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

"The use of taxpayer dollars to prepare and distribute campaign material is unlawful and the Republicans in the Senate must be held accountable for their irresponsible and very questionable actions last week. Not only is this illegal but deceitful, and attempts to backtrack and change the website link contained in the literature proves that they are fully aware of their illegal use of taxpayer dollars.

"A Party that runs on a promise to increase transparency and cut spending has chosen to illegally spend taxpayer dollars on their re-election campaign."