1121BC-MN--RITCHIE-C07
On the homepage
Sunday's paper
Out There
9/11 trial
Outreach
Home | Politically Connected | State Politics
Secretary of State admits sharing state roster with campaign
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said it was a mistake for him to give his campaign a list of participants in a state-sponsored "civic engagement'' program so they could be sent a newsletter asking for a political contribution.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from State Politics
ST. PAUL - Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said it was a mistake for him to give his campaign a list of participants in a state-sponsored "civic engagement'' program so they could be sent a newsletter asking for a political contribution.
The first-term Democrat admitted to the Star Tribune on Tuesday to turning over the list. His disclosure comes about a month after a pair of Republican operatives asked the state's Office of the Legislative Auditor to investigate whether Ritchie violated any rules. Ritchie had previously told the newspaper that the list was public information, but that he did not authorize his campaign to use it.
The men questioned how their e-mail addresses wound up on a mailing list for a Ritchie electronic campaign newsletter that asked for donations. They suspected the campaign got their names from their participation in a nonpartisan civic engagement program run by the secretary of state's office.
Ritchie said he had personally provided a copy of the directory to his campaign and requested that those on the list get a copy of his campaign's civic engagement newsletter. It has been distributed to about 12,000 individuals and groups whom he described as active in civic life in the state.
He said his campaign maintains a donor and potential contributor list that is separate from the newsletter list.
The newsletter "is distributed as an information source on civic engagement in Minnesota, not a vehicle for solicitation,'' Ritchie said.
But the Oct. 22 newsletter invites recipients to an upcoming fundraiser and links to Ritchie's campaign Web site for anyone wishing to donate to "help me cover my campaign related expenses for this year.''
Ritchie, who ran on a platform of keeping state election policy and politics separate, said he is taking steps to ensure that people can easily remove their names from the newsletter mailing list and that future editions will contain only news, not solicitations.
"The campaign should have checked with the groups and individuals who listed themselves in this public directory to make sure they wanted to receive my civic engagement newsletter,'' Ritchie said.
Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles said Tuesday that his office has accumulated a significant amount of information regarding the complaint against Ritchie and analyzing the case. He didn't say when his probe would be completed.
House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, said he believes the House Government Operations Committee on reform, technology and elections should investigate the matter.
"It's unethical,'' Seifert told the Independent of Marshall on Wednesday, adding, "this guy got caught in a lie. The culture of corruption looks pretty bad.
"Now that Ritchie basically admitted lying, I don't know how we can't have an investigation,'' Seifert said.
Ritchie told the Independent of Marshall that he thinks the investigation should be done by the legislative auditor's office, not a House committee, because the auditor's office is nonpartisan.
Ritchie suggested that the call for a House investigation was an attempt by Republican leaders to influence public perception of his handling of elections.
The ease of transfer of information between government offices and campaigns has become a vexing issue for politicians.
"There must be a wall between constituent information compiled at public expense while representing the public and the transfer of that information for use in campaigns,'' said Steven Clift, a digital democracy expert based in Minneapolis. "Ideally, secondary use would be prohibited. Or, if an incumbent can use it, then everyone should be able to access it, including challengers.''
Recent State Politics stories
Reps. Bachmann, Paul at U tonight - November 21, 2007
Reps. Bachmann, Paul at U tonight - Republican U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul are sharing the stage at a student town hall tonight. More
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
 Open House ShowcaseThousands of homes open this weekend!View all open houses >> View all homes for sale >> |
Win tickets to The Midnight Movie Society's screening of "Clue" at Red Stag Supperclub.Vita.mn and DJ Jake Rudh present the first meeting of The Midnight Movie Society at Red Stag Supperclub on Dec. 4, with drinking, dancing and a midnight screening of cult-classic film, "Clue." |
Comment on this story | Be the first to comment | Hide reader comments