SOMETHING UP WITH THE DPI RACE

From Badger Blog Alliance:

Breaking news in DPI case
Posted on Tuesday, 24th March 2009 by Patrick Dorwin

On February 28th, Mark Belling broke a story that one of the candidates for the State Department of Public Instruction had a highly placed DPI bureaucrat, Jeff Dickert was sending out campaign and fund raising emails on behalf of the establishment’s candidate Tony Evers from his official state email account, something that is so clearly illegal, that Dickert himself asked that his actions be investigated. Citizens for Responsible Government also filed a complaint.

Today, as a result of the Open Records Requests issued by Belling, he reported that the DPI candidate himself asked that this illegal action be done on his behalf. More details and reaction from the Fernandez campaign follows…

UPDATE: Mark Belling’s audio podcast can be heard here.

UPDATE: Belling has Evers / Dickert email conversations of Evers asking Dickert to host fund raising event on his behalf. All email accounts used were from official state issued email accounts.

Update: Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton announced her endorsement of Evers earlier today, she praised his “experience, wisdom and professional integrity…”

Update: Rose Fernandez has issued the following statement.

Statement from Rose Fernandez:

“This is exactly why we need to change DPI.

“I was dismayed to hear that my opponent may have broken state law by soliciting campaign funds and other forms of support from a public official via taxpayer-funded resources; and, that he apparently asked that same official to use his position and state resources to bring even more funds into his vast campaign war chest. This ‘win at all cost’ mentality is a poor example to set for our state’s schoolchildren.

“Democrats, Republicans and Independents are supporting my candidacy because I can bring an independent voice and a fresh perspective to the Department of Public Instruction. Despite my broad coalition of support, I knew going into this race that with the Madison-based teachers’ union throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars behind my opponent, we would be the underdog in this race. However, I had not counted on Mr. Evers also having the use of public employees and taxpayer resources to raise campaign money for him.

“Despite these odds, I still have faith in the voters of Wisconsin. We came in a close second in the Primary despite being vastly outspent. Voters have been invigorated by my positive call for higher academic standards, merit pay for teachers, and honest educational reform. With two weeks left, this race is tied, and despite the looming special interest TV ads and Mr. Evers’ apparent abuse of the public trust and public resources, we continue our campaign to change DPI.

“Those who are interested in leveling the playing field can legally contribute to our campaign at www.ChangeDPI.com.”

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