State Green Party Press Release

McGaa for Senate - Minnesota Green Party
AP Story About McGaa Not Accurate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 17, 2002

From: McGaa for Senate Committee (Minnesota)
http://www.mcgaa.org

Campaign contacts: Jeff Taylor
phone 507-292-0334
Karen Carlson
phone 612-924-7771

AP STORY ABOUT McGAA NOT ACCURATE

Today's AP news story by Brian Bakst about the campaign of Ed McGaa, Green Party-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, is not accurate. Contrary to Bakst's reporting, McGaa was not required to file forms with the Federal Election Commission before the July 15 quarterly deadline.

Despite his endorsement by the state Green convention and the existence of an active campaign, McGaa is not yet "officially" a candidate. He will reach candidate status in the eyes of the FEC when he exceeds a threshold of $5,000 in contributions or expenditures.

McGaa has not yet reached that threshold. When he does, he will file FEC Form 2 (Statement of Candidacy) within 15 days, as well as Form 1 (Statement of Organization). Until the threshold is met, McGaa cannot file these forms. Form 3 (Report of Receipts and Disbursements) will be filed on a regular basis, during the time frames established by law.

Contrary to the implication of the AP story, McGaa is in full compliance with federal law. Confusion resulted from the reporter's phone conversation with the candidate. McGaa said, or meant to say, that he was prepared to spend additional personal funds, up to or beyond $5,000, on his campaign. This was misinterpreted in the story as "McGaa said he has raised more than $5,000 but hasn't spent that much." Actually, McGaa has neither raised nor spent $5,000 at this point.

Some of the unfortunate confusion comes from McGaa being a first-time candidate and his campaign being staffed by volunteers. Unlike the Wellstone and Coleman campaigns, the McGaa effort does not have millions of dollars--much of it from special interests--to spend on speech writers, image shapers, and legal advisers. McGaa, a decorated veteran of two wars, published author, and enrolled Oglala Sioux, is running as a refreshing alternative to politics-as-usual, not as a career politician.

Whether a result of misspeaking or misquoting, the McGaa campaign regrets the confusion and wants to assure the press, the Green Party, and the people of Minnesota that we are committed to running a serious campaign which meets all legal requirements and has as its primary goals the spreading of Green values and victory in November.