Pawlenty vetoes bill to stop candidate threats

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed a bill that aimed to make it illegal to intimidate people out of running for office.

The bill would have prohibited people from threatening reprisal against candidates running for any public office.

Pawlenty vetoed the proposal on Monday, saying it duplicates state law that punishes those who threaten or coerce someone out of doing something lawful. Punishment would have varied depending on the degree of threats.

The proposal came after an incident in sponsoring Sen. Sandy Rummel's hometown of White Bear Lake. Several candidates dropped out of city elections last year after receiving threatening e-mails.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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