EDWARDS FOR AUDITOR ON HOLD
Edwards puts auditor campaign on hold
Federal law prevents government employees from seeking partisan office
MANKATO - Reggie Edwards, the only Mankatoan running for any of the statewide offices on the ballot this fall, has suspended his campaign for state auditor amid concerns his candidacy could be a violation of federal law.
Edwards is executive director of the Region Nine Development Commission, which is partially funded with federal grants. That makes his candidacy a possible violation of the Hatch Act - a federal law prohibiting federal employees and some state and local government employees from seeking partisan offices.
"It got to the point where it was either his job or his campaign," said James Broich, the mayor of Sleepy Eye and the chairman of Region Nine's board of commissioners.
Edwards didn't return phone calls from The Free Press, but it appears he is planning to remain an inactive candidate for the state auditor post at least through the DFL state convention that runs June 9-11 in Rochester. An advisory written by the U.S. Office of Special Council in 1995 appears to allow that approach.
"... You would not violate the Act by responding affirmatively to inquiries concerning whether you intend to become a candidate," the advisory stated. "... However, at this point you should not ask people to participate in any activities directed toward the success of your future candidacy."
The issue arose earlier this month when the commission began to look closer at Edwards' run.
"We had questions out there and started checking it out and found out the Hatch Act came into play," Broich said. "... As far as we're concerned, it's resolved."
Edwards apparently sent a letter to Democratic activists and supporters announcing the suspension of his campaign, according to a handful of Web sites that have posted the letter. It explains he will be unable to attend political screening meetings and could not accept any contributions.
"I do intend to seek the DFL endorsement for the Office of State Auditor at the June convention," the letter states.
Because Edwards finished a distant second to Rebecca Otto in a straw poll conducted during precinct caucuses March 7, he likely would have been considered the underdog in the endorsement battle even if he could actively campaign. If, by chance, he wins the endorsement despite not campaigning, Edwards would then be forced to resign from Region Nine.
Broich might be rooting for Otto if for no other reason than that he would prefer Edwards not be forced to step down.
"He's a very knowledgeable person and I'd hate to see him go," Broich said.
Edwards' letter complains about the Hatch Act, stating it protects incumbents and independently wealthy candidates by eliminating potential challengers and puts working-class candidates at a disadvantage.
Broich, who said he accepts the law was created to deal with potential political corruption, still had some concerns about the law.
"It's not really fair to the small guy," he said. Source: Mankato Free-Press, March 31, 2006
Federal law prevents government employees from seeking partisan office
MANKATO - Reggie Edwards, the only Mankatoan running for any of the statewide offices on the ballot this fall, has suspended his campaign for state auditor amid concerns his candidacy could be a violation of federal law.
Edwards is executive director of the Region Nine Development Commission, which is partially funded with federal grants. That makes his candidacy a possible violation of the Hatch Act - a federal law prohibiting federal employees and some state and local government employees from seeking partisan offices.
"It got to the point where it was either his job or his campaign," said James Broich, the mayor of Sleepy Eye and the chairman of Region Nine's board of commissioners.
Edwards didn't return phone calls from The Free Press, but it appears he is planning to remain an inactive candidate for the state auditor post at least through the DFL state convention that runs June 9-11 in Rochester. An advisory written by the U.S. Office of Special Council in 1995 appears to allow that approach.
"... You would not violate the Act by responding affirmatively to inquiries concerning whether you intend to become a candidate," the advisory stated. "... However, at this point you should not ask people to participate in any activities directed toward the success of your future candidacy."
The issue arose earlier this month when the commission began to look closer at Edwards' run.
"We had questions out there and started checking it out and found out the Hatch Act came into play," Broich said. "... As far as we're concerned, it's resolved."
Edwards apparently sent a letter to Democratic activists and supporters announcing the suspension of his campaign, according to a handful of Web sites that have posted the letter. It explains he will be unable to attend political screening meetings and could not accept any contributions.
"I do intend to seek the DFL endorsement for the Office of State Auditor at the June convention," the letter states.
Because Edwards finished a distant second to Rebecca Otto in a straw poll conducted during precinct caucuses March 7, he likely would have been considered the underdog in the endorsement battle even if he could actively campaign. If, by chance, he wins the endorsement despite not campaigning, Edwards would then be forced to resign from Region Nine.
Broich might be rooting for Otto if for no other reason than that he would prefer Edwards not be forced to step down.
"He's a very knowledgeable person and I'd hate to see him go," Broich said.
Edwards' letter complains about the Hatch Act, stating it protects incumbents and independently wealthy candidates by eliminating potential challengers and puts working-class candidates at a disadvantage.
Broich, who said he accepts the law was created to deal with potential political corruption, still had some concerns about the law.
"It's not really fair to the small guy," he said. Source: Mankato Free-Press, March 31, 2006
1 Comments:
The rule that is being applied makes sense, and Edwards is doing the right thing.
It's unfortunate, because when I met Mr. Edwards in January, he seemed generally interested in and qualified for the state auditor's job. Rebecca Otto has no qualifications, and seems to be interested in job only as a step up the political ladder.
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