(Submitted to the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram as a letter to the editor, 9-20-2006)

Your September 17, 2006, article on local campaign cash failed to provide your readers with 'the rest of the story'. In my race, for example, you failed to tell your readers that my opponent has raised and spent in excess of $20,000 through August 28, 2006. You wouldn't know that because she is in violation of state law that requires candidates with accounts in excess of $20,000 to file their campaign reports electronically with the state elections board. The law exists so the public can see where the cash is coming from and how much is being spent. In fact, she has spent $20,941.17. I have spent a total of $1,691.92.

Listing my big donors was fair, the largest contribution was $400 from my brother and his wife. You couldn't list my opponents largest donation because you would have had to travel to Madison to the elections board to learn she took $500 in PAC money from the state republican party. In fact, that isn't her largest contribution. Keep in mind she has spent in excess of $20,000, and all of it except for $600 has come from the candidate herself. She is literally trying to buy the election.
The next time you do a story about following the money, I hope you take the time to ascertain whether the facts are fair and accurate.

Finally, let me add, that in eleven elections, I have never spent more than $17,250—the limit for candidates who comply with the public financing laws of this state.

Mary Hubler
State Representative
75th Assembly District