Schreyer files complaint against 21B GOP opponent

Schreyer accuses Finstad of offers to drop out of race

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Watonwan County Attorney LaMar Piper has confirmed that Republican House District 21B candidate Cody Schreyer has filed an unfair campaign practices complaint nearly a month ago against the party's endorsed candidate, Brad Finstad.

"I can only confirm that a complaint has been made, and that the matter is still under investigation," Piper said Saturday.

Schreyer broke the news of his action in a news release issued on Friday. He said he had provided evidence to "a (Watonwan County) investigator which included a tape recording of the violation." Schreyer contends that Finstad and another member of his campaign staff made offers to him to drop out of the race.

The candidates, both of New Ulm, squared off against each other in the party's endorsement convention earlier this year. Finstad received 73 percent of the delegates' votes to 21 percent for Schreyer.

Schreyer quotes the law, Minnesota Code 211B.10, as stating: "A person may not reward or promise to reward another in any manner to induce the person to be or refrain from or cease being a candidate."

"A Watonwan County investigator contacted me on Aug. 5," Finstad said. "That was the only contact, and I have heard nothing more about it. I'm confident that we've done nothing wrong."

Finstad said he was not told who was the campaign person also mentioned in the complaint. Piper would not reveal any more details surrounding the complaint.

Speculation in the Finstad camp is that Schreyer may have accused former State Rep. James Clark of New Ulm, who serves as Finstad's campaign chairman.

"I know I haven't had any conversations with Schreyer about the race," said Finstad's campaign manager, Gerald Woodley of New Ulm, the Brown County Republican chairman. "So that leaves only James."

Clark was not available for comment Saturday.

Schreyer said Saturday he went public with his complaint because "I believe Finstad is guilty, and the public should know that."

Another reason, he said, was to try to bring pressure upon the Watonwan County Attorney's office to complete the investigation before the primary on Sept. 10.

"I called the County Attorney late last week, and I was told that the investigation may continue for another four to five weeks," Schreyer said. "I thought the county attorney would handle this quickly. If Brad would win (in the Primary) and is then found guilty, he will not be able to be on the ballot in November. It would give a victory to (DFL House candidate Mark) Wiger by default. If he is found guilty after the November general election, then we would have to have a brand new election. I don't want to see this happen."

Still, Schreyer said, "I must do the right thing so this will not happen to candidates in the future. I plan on winning the primary so we don't have to go through this hassle."

Schreyer said he could have asked the State Supreme Court to intervene, "but this would have been too expensive for me." However, he said he's still considering asking the Minnesota Attorney General to seek the Supreme Court intervention.

"I have complete confidence in the legal system, and I will be exonerated," Finstad said.