Helena Independent Record – July 31, 2008
Two Democrats who ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature in 2006 — and who are candidates again this year — violated minor laws in their printed campaign material attacking opponents in 2006, a state official has ruled.
But Commissioner of Political Practice Dennis Unsworth rejected more serious claims that John Vincent of Bozeman and Margie MacDonald of Billings lied about their opponents’ respective records.
Unsworth said while Vincent and MacDonald may have made inaccurate statements regarding their opponents’ records or votes, they did not knowingly do so, and therefore didn’t violate the law.
“While Vincent arguably could have exercised more care in conducting the research for at least one of his campaign statements, there is insufficient evidence to prove that he violated (the law),” Unsworth wrote.
Unsworth ruled late Tuesday on separate complaints filed by the Republicans who defeated Vincent and MacDonald in close, high-profile legislative races in 2006.
Filed under: Allegations, Political practices | Tagged: Allegations, Political practices
