Idaho Democrats allege in complaint GOP broke campaign laws
BOISE, Idaho -- The Idaho Democratic Party filed a complaint Friday with the Secretary of State's office claiming that an official inside the Idaho Republican Party violated the state's campaign laws.
According to the complaint submitted, Idaho Republican Party Executive Director David Johnston coordinated with GOP candidate Mike Kingsley's campaign in creating a political attack ad against House Minority Leader John Rusche using funds from an independent expenditure.
The complaint is based on an email exchange obtained by Rusche's campaign manager Trae Turner, which is included in the complaint. Party spokesman Dean Ferguson said he quizzed Turner on the veracity of the emails and trusts they are not fabricated.
Idaho law defines independent expenditures as an expense not made in consultation with a candidate or campaign. There is no limit how much can be spent on an independent expenditure, unlike a direct candidate contribution which caps out at $2,000.
Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article111122022.html