Demos’ complaint dismissed
BOISE – The Idaho secretary of state has dismissed an allegation of misconduct against Republican Sen. Joe Stegner of Lewiston.
The allegation stems from automated telephone messages sent to voters the evening before the November election last year.
Democrats allege that the anonymous messages smeared Stegner’s Democratic opponent, Rep. Mike Naccarato of Lewiston, and made misstatements about Naccarato’s voting record.
Stegner has consistently maintained his innocence, saying any misconduct came from persons unknown to him, although he guesses they came from some independent group in the Boise area.
“My campaign was not involved, and I had nothing to do with them,” Stegner said this week.
The complaint was officially filed Jan. 26 by Elizabeth Chavez, chairwoman of the Nez Perce County Democrats, asking the secretary of state’s office to investigate Stegner’s campaign finances.
In his campaign finance report, Stegner acknowledged spending $1,240 on telemarketing. Chavez wrote “an ‘inspection’ by your office is appropriate … to determine the full and actual amount of payments to the Florida Telemarketing company, (and) who else, if anyone, made such calls, (and) who paid for them …”
Chief Deputy Attorney General Timothy A. Hurst of the secretary of state’s office wrote Chavez on Jan. 31 asking for clarity.
“I believe you are attempting to file a complaint against Mr. Stegner,” wrote Hurst. “You have to be specific and we have a complaint form available for that.”
Hurst found nothing wrong with Stegner’s financial report and suggested Chavez consider filing a complaint under Idaho’s Campaign Disclosure law.
“This office is well aware of the need for disclosure and we abhor eleventh hour attacks that are unidentified, but there is no indication from your letter that Mr. Stegner has failed to report contributions and expenditures as required by the Sunshine Law.”
As for the $1,240 for telemarketing, Stegner said the calls were recordings of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne asking voters to vote for Stegner.
This is the first year he has used the campaign tool, he said.
Stegner has pledged to allow media access to the calls to prove the innocent nature of the campaign messages.
Chavez could not be reached for comment Friday. It was not clear whether she plans to pursue the complaint further. State Democratic Party Director Maria Weeg said she expected the complaint will be followed up with the appropriate form.