The Des Moines Tea Party

Findley: Miller's Out of State Fundraising Shows He's Out of Touch

Dexter, IA-Republican Candidate Criticizes Miller's Heavy Reliance on Out-Of-State Donors and Special Interest Donors

Says Miller Should Spend More Time in Washington, Iowa Rather Than Washington, DC

Brenna Findley, Republican candidate for Iowa Attorney General, today criticized Tom Miller's heavy reliance on out-of-state and special interest money to fund his campaign.

In documents available at the Iowa Campaign Ethics and Disclosure Board, Miller disclosed that in the most recent fundraising period, his campaign raised $122,335, of which $83,595came from out of state sources. His single largest contributor was the Democratic Attorney Generals Association with a $25,000 contribution. He also raised over $36,100 from Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia donors.

Findley stated, "Tom Miller is out of touch, and it shows. With over two-thirds of his campaign contributions coming from outside of Iowa, we should start to question who he represents...the people of Iowa or the special interests of New York and Washington."

"Tom Miller was first elected in 1978, and he's grown out of touch with the struggles of average Iowans. His campaign documents show he'd rather pal around with the special interest in Washington, DC and New York than work for Iowa taxpayers," Findley added.

Findley noted the similarities between Governor Culver's campaign and Miller's. "Powerful special interests in Washington are trying to control the Governor's race, and they will do almost anything to re-elect Chet Culver. Now they've set their sights on propping up Attorney General Miller as well, and Iowans should be wary of these large donations."

She added, "Attorney General Miller would be well advised to spend more time in Washington, Iowa, or Brooklyn, Iowa than in Washington, DC and the New York City. Iowans see right through large special interests trying to buy elections."

In contrast, Findley raised $72,638 during the last period, with over 97% coming from Iowa donors. "I'm encouraged by the great support I'm getting...from Iowans...as I travel our state. Iowans are looking for new leadership in the Attorney General's office, and they know with me they'll get it," she noted.

AG Miller Needs To Come Clean In Spending Scandal

DEXTER, IA-Today, the Republican nominee for Attorney General, Brenna Findley, called upon Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller to explain to Iowa taxpayers why he advised Governor Culver that he could not fire Lynn Walding, Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division head. Walding was one of Miller's top lieutenants in the Attorney General's office before being appointed to head the Division.

State auditors have investigated the Alcoholic Beverages Division and found improper spending, including tens of thousands of dollars on artwork, leather chairs, bicycles, a camper and high-definition televisions, as well as other improprieties and mismanagement.

According to news reports, Attorney General Miller advised Governor Culver that he could not fire Walding in a legal memo. So far, Iowa's Attorney General Tom Miller has not provided a copy of his legal memo.

"The Auditor's report not only highlighted severe deficiencies within the Culver Administration, but two glaring patterns that have become apparent with the AG's office:

First, Miller views his role as AG as one which has, as its primary role, sweeping Chet Culver's messes under the rug. Why else would Miller sit on his memo and protect Walding from being fired for mismanagement? His 'go along to get along' mentality is not what Iowa taxpayers deserve. I'll change that attitude on Day One.

Second, Walding was one of Miller's top lieutenants prior to assuming control at Alcoholic Beverages Division. Miller's other "exports" to the Culver Administration have similarly become part of the problem, not the solution. Donn Stanley, another top Miller lieutenant who took a leave of absence from the AG's office to manage Culver's campaign, is now mired in a campaign finance controversy. It seems that in his desire to help salvage Chet Culver, Miller is dragging state government down with him," noted Findley.