by Elisa Schlosser
Helena—January 7, the Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party, Monica Lindeen, filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Political Practices alleging that Secretary of State, Corey Stapleton, violated Montana law when he announced his 2020 gubernatorial campaign using a state email address.
The complaint states, “Secretary of State Corey Stapleton’s use of official state resources to announce his next political campaign is only the latest example of how he has repeatedly injected partisan politicsinto his official duties over the past two years.” Lindeen said, “Stapleton must be held accountable for his actions because Montanans deserve better than politicians who manipulate their public office for personal gain.”
On Jan. 2, Stapleton announced he was running for governor in 2020 on his Facebook page. Later, an employee within the Secretary of State’s office, used a state email address to send out an official press release on state letterhead announcing the bid. Click here to read more The announcement directed inquiries about the campaign to an employee of the Secretary of State’s Office, also using a state-issued email address.
Lindeen’s complaint, filed by the Democrat Party, asks Commissioner Jeff Mangan to investigate the ethics complaint and to issue his findings.
State law prevents use of state resources and facilities to promote or oppose a political candidate. In her complaint, Lindeen also cited a Montana Supreme Court case about using a state email. In the 2013 case, the court upheld that former Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar improperly used state resources for political purposes by including his PSC email address and PSC phone number on a fundraising letter and using his PSC email address on his campaign website, as well as using his PSC email for other campaign business.
Jan. 9, the commissioner’s office said it had received the complaint and requested additional information from Stapleton before determining whether or not to accept the complaint. In a news story the day of the announcement in question, Stapleton said he did not have any concerns using state email to send the message. “No — absolutely not. It’s not campaigning,” Stapleton stated in a text message.
