Mailer targets Republican candidate for lieutenant governor

NAMPA, Idaho – A campaign mailer claims a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Idaho is a foreign agent and has other agents funneling cash into his campaign.

The flyer mailed to Idaho voters Thursday shows Steve Yates in front of a Taiwan flag and implies he’s concealing information, the Idaho Press-Tribune reported.

The mailer also features excerpts from an email that Yates’ wife sent in 2015 to a close friend, who died earlier this year. The excerpts express concern about the state of Yates’ consulting firm, which remains in operation though the flyer suggests the business failed.

The flyer was sent out by Idahoans Fighting Corruption, a political action committee.

In a statement issued in response to the mailer, Yates called out the backers of the PAC, saying they violated his wife’s privacy.

“She is embarrassed and hurt by this. Many small business owners know the ups and downs of business,” Yates said. “The violation of my wife’s confidence in talking with a church friend is completely unacceptable.”

Yates is facing four other candidates for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in the election next week.

Yates has worked in Department of Defense and served as deputy national security adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney. He also has worked with a lobbying firm with Taiwan as a client, the Idaho Press-Tribune reported.

“I have said from the outset of the campaign that I will respect anyone making the strongest positive case for his or her public service,” Yates said. “I am committed to waging a campaign based on issues, not insults – even knowing that I would likely be on the receiving end of these blatant attacks.”