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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

Emmer notifies campaign board of possible violation

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Republican Tom Emmer's campaign for governor announced today that it has notified the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board that Emmer's legislative campaign made a 2008 donation that exceeded the legal limit. Emmer's Minnesota House campaign reported giving $250 to a group called You Can Run International. The group's front man, Bradlee Dean, has been criticized for making controversial statements about gays.

Emmer's connection with the group was first raised by the website Minnesota Independent when it wrote about You Can Run International's relationship with the GOP.

Emmer's campaign spokesman told the Minnesota Independent that Emmer never gave any money to the group. The spokesman, Chris Van Guilder, later confirmed to MPR News that Emmer gave $250 to You Can Run International. That's $150 more than the legal limit.

"We have also begun working with the campaign finance board to rectify the situation," Van Guilder said in an e-mail.

Update: Van Guilder now says the $250 wasn't a donation (or a "non-profit contribution" as listed on the campaign forms) but was "used to purchase tickets for volunteers of Tom's House Campaign to attend a dinner event." Van Guilder says that would mean it's not a violation.

He said they'll continue to work with the Campaign Finance Board over compliance.