Threats against city candidates prompt Minn. bill

A Minnesota lawmaker wants to make it illegal to intimidate people out of running for office after threatening e-mails led several candidates to drop out of city elections in White Bear Lake last year.

The bill from Democratic Sen. Sandy Rummel of White Bear Lake would prohibit people from threatening reprisal against candidates for any public office.

State law already prohibits paying someone to be a candidate.

Rummel says there should be a law specifically prohibiting threatening actions because they may make some potential candidates avoid running for office.

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

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