Yesterday, former Minnesota state senator majority leader Amy Koch tweeted an un-cropped version of the photo above, with a note, "Arrived in the mail today? ..."
Arrived in the mail today...? pic.twitter.com/TDs6k1RTNN
— Amy Koch (@justamykoch) September 30, 2015
Marion O'Neill earned a 42 percent on the group's 2015 Legislative scorecard.
The random postcards
Other versions of the report card, with the failing grade of "F", have arrived in voters' mailboxes in other districts. Bluestem has been told that postcards arrived in in Rep. Drew Christensen (56A), who scored at 46 percent; Rep. Mary Franson (8B) who pulled a 42 percent; Rep. Pat Garofalo (58B ) at 43 percent; Jenifer Loon (48B) at 33 percent; and, Tara Mack (57A) at 19 percent (the lowest score of any Republican in the House).
We're told there was also an "F" newspaper ad in Speaker Kurt Daudt's district; Daudt received a 50 percent.
We've seen photos of the postcards for Franson and Mack, and have an email query in with Liberty Minnesota PAC asking about other districts.
As we look over the scorecard, we can only wonder why the post office here in sunny Maynard isn't littered (there's no trash can) with attack postcards slamming Rep. Tim Miller, who at 38 percent fell behind Speaker Daudt, as well as all the rank and filers save Loon and Mack.
Or why a postcard was sent to Franson's side of Senate District 8, when Buddy Nornes earned a mere 33 percent.
One can read the scorecard and find other examples of Republicans with much lower grades than all who've been ripped other than Mack and Loon.
We thought the mystery might be answered by the campaign finance reports for the group--though we won't know about this year's fundraising until next February.
Now and then: two Liberty Minnesota committees
Past reports don't seem to provide answer, though there are some interesting items in them. In 2013, Broadband America Corporation, controlled by current Liberty Minnesota PAC chair Mark Wegscheid, contributed $20,000. This committee raised a totally of $27,841.61 for the year.
The lion's share of the expenditures went to one vendor, $17,950.00, was paid to BHI & G of 371 Water Street in Excelsior. This is the address for the Bird House Inn and Garden, a bed and breakfast owned by current Liberty Minnesota PAC board member Dave Wahlstedt.,
The 2013 getting and spending was fairly cozy for the Liberty Minnesota group, registration number 41102, but this committee terminated the next year without significant additional fundraising. However, while the old committee was no more, many of the same core group remains involved with the second iteration of Liberty Minnesota.
In election year 2014 fundraising was much more skimpy for the new committee (registration number 30669) as this committee raised $5372.88, while spending a mere $2484.86. Perhaps in February, we'll learn of more robust fundraising.
Here's the 2013 Year-End Report:
Liberty Mn 2013 Year End Report
The first committee was terminated in 2014. and the committee now works under a different registration number, address and treasurer. The 2014 Year-End Report:
Liberty Mn PAC 2014 Year End Report
In the 2014, we read that a $1000 contribution from Broadband American Corporation to Liberty Minnesota PAC had been returned. There's an explanation for this in the following agreement with the board (online here and embedded below)
Liberty Minnesota Conciliation Agreement
Of course, we're left wondering why the $20,000 that the corporation contributed in 2013 to the other Liberty Minnesota political committee wasn't an issue during the first rodeo. There must be a logical explanation--and we'll ask the board in the morning.
Photo: The O'Neill postcard.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
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