For Immediate Release

Pia Carusone

February 29, 2008

(603) 225-6899

NHDP Chair Calls on RGA, State GOP to Stop the Pattern of Illegal Activity and Start Following NH Election Laws

Buckley Says Republican Governors Association Is Once Again Knowingly Violating New Hampshire Laws

CONCORD - New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley today called on the Republican Governors Association to stop blatantly violating New Hampshire law.

 The Union Leader and other media outlets have reported that voters in New Hampshire are receiving a potential push poll, conducted by the Republican Governors Association. The Republican Governors Association is not registered as a political action committee in New Hampshire, and therefore is not legally allowed to conduct any political activities - including polls - within the state. The RGA is claiming that because the actual phone calls are being made by an out-of-state organization, they do not need to follow New Hampshire law.

"The Republican Governors are making a ridiculous argument. Would they also argue if they bought television ads about a New Hampshire election on Boston television, those wouldn't count either?" Buckley asked. "The Republican Governors Association is trying to distort our laws to fit their brand of gutter politics and this is not the first time they have tried it."

Yesterday, Buckley sent a letter to the Attorney General's Office asking for an immediate halt to the illegal activities of the RGA and that an investigation be conducted. The RGA is not a registered as a PAC in New Hampshire, which is required under state law in order to conduct political activity.

In response, the RGA released the following statement:

"First and foremost, RGA's current strategy and tactics in New Hampshire are legal. Second, we do not discuss them with the media or the Democratic Party. Third, this complaint is laughable and legally unsound.

"In the 2008 election cycle RGA has not made expenditures in New Hampshire which would legally necessitate it filing as or otherwise establishing a political committee in New Hampshire. Even if RGA had made expenditures in New Hampshire which would legally necessitate it filing as or otherwise establishing a political committee in New Hampshire no registration, reporting, or other disclosure would be due at this time."

In 2004, the RGA also ignored state laws requiring it to register with the Secretary of State's office, and registered as a PAC only after the Attorney General's Office issued a cease-and-desist order and a court issued an injunction against its illegal, negative ads.

New Hampshire RSA 664:3 clearly states in part "Any political committee, except the political committee of a political party, shall register with the secretary of state as provided in this section. The committee shall register with the secretary of state not later than 24 hours after receiving any contribution in excess of $500 or before making any expenditure in excess of $500."

"The RGA is spending money on political activity being conducted in New Hampshire. Period. They did not register within 24 hours of conducting this illegal poll. Period," Buckley said. "You don't need a legal degree to read plain English. It is time for the RGA to end its pattern of violating the law, and it is time for the State Republican Party to condoning it."

Buckley also called on Republican Party Chair Fergus Cullen, and potential Republican gubernatorial candidates Frank Guinta and Joe Kenney to act to halt the illegal activity.

 "They should be calling on their friends to start following the law before the Attorney General makes them do it," Buckley said.