An administrative law judge has dismissed a complaint by state Supreme Court candidate Michelle MacDonald against the state Republican party and its leaders, ruling that she failed to show evidence they attempted to coerce her into repudiating her endorsement or distributed false campaign material.
In the five-page order issued Tuesday, Administrative law judge James LaFave ruled that MacDonald's allegations were without merit.
MacDonald accused the Minnesota Republican Party, its executive committee, Chairman Keith Downey, attorney Patrick Burns, Judicial Election Committee chairman Doug Seaton and former state auditor and former Republican National Committeewoman Pat Anderson of violating the Minnesota Fair Campaign Practices Act.
MacDonald alleged they conspired to deter her from continuing to run as a Republican for Supreme Court justice, despite her having received the party's endorsement at its May convention.
But in his ruling, LaFave said MacDonald failed to include any evidence or accusations that would prove a violation of the law.
"The complaint does not allege that Mr. Burns, or anyone else, gave Ms. MacDonald items of value, or promised to do so, in return for her withdrawal as a candidate for office." LaFave wrote.
The disclosure of MacDonald's legal troubles drew ire from state GOP leadership who say they, along with most delegates outside the 18-member Judicial Election Committee, didn't know about MacDonald's arrest or controversial legal philosophy when they endorsed her to run against Justice David Lillehaug. However, they could not withdraw the endorsement without calling another convention but instead took action to bar her from campaigning at the Minnesota State Fair.
MacDonald, who stands trial Sept. 15, is scheduled for a hearing today on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom for her trial. Minnesota court rules do not allow the filming of criminal proceedings.
Read the ruling here:
