Risch accused of undermining opponent

More News Morrison retires from Idaho State Journal Risch accused of undermining opponent Bridge project proposed near McCammon Off-road group says Smokey Bear is unfair Hearing set in challenge to emergency grazi Wolf foe's ballot drive recharged Spray stations used in weed battle Idaho farmers cut potato acres Interior proposes lower royalties on oil shale Otter considers toll roads to aid ITD Now u can text tips on crime 2 cops PMC partner meetings to be rebroadcast Sports

Rex Rammell, the Rexburg veterinarian running as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, said Tuesday that Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, one of his opponents in the race, is undermining his campaign with the help of an Idaho state senator.

Many expect Risch, the Republican candidate for Craig’s seat, to defeat Democratic candidate Larry LaRocco in November, with Rammell running a distant third. Rammell was previously campaigning for the Republican nomination until shortly before the May primary election when he opted to run as an Independent candidate.

Rammell said Tuesday that a May story in the Post Register that admonished the candidate for allegedly refusing to pay a personal debt while financing his own campaign included information gathered by Idaho Sen. Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, whom Rammell called a long-time friend of Risch.

“My elk partnership did owe (George) Hansen some money,” Rammell said. “I stipulated to a judgment, but my former partner did not. I am trying to get him to pay.”

Rammell contends that the attorney hired by Hansen to collect the debt, Aaron Tolson of Idaho Falls, gave details of the debt to Davis, who then provided it to the Idaho Falls newspaper.

“When my attorney asked Tolson what the meeting was about, he said it was for political purposes,” Rammell said. “Nine days later, there was a story.”

Hansen, in a release from Rammell’s campaign on Tuesday, said that after learning Tolson gave Davis certain information about his case against Rammell, he “fired Mr. Tolson and has retained new counsel.”

Tolson confirmed that Hansen is no longer his client and said that he reached out to Davis, also an Idaho Falls attorney, because of his expertise in debt collection and campaign finance.

“We found that Mr. Rammell had a political account and we’re trying to pursue collecting Mr. Hansen’s money from that account,” Tolson said. “(Davis) is in politics and is an attorney and an expert in this area. I was seeking his advice about whether Mr. Hansen’s funds could be collected from that account.”

Tolson said he is not politically active and has no affiliation with Davis other than as professional colleagues. He said accusations that he intended to hurt Rammell are not true.

“I didn’t know of the connection that Jim Risch and Bart had,” Tolson said. “I did find out afterward. Bart said he was going to use the information for political purposes. There was no skullduggery on my part.”

Risch’s campaign e-mailed the Journal a two-sentence response to a call seeking comment.

“The Lt. Governor does not know anything about Rammell’s outstanding judgment and is not involved in this matter whatsoever. He has nothing to contribute to this story,” wrote Ryan White, a member of Risch’s campaign.

Davis could not be reached for comment.

Rammell said Tuesday that he has committed to repaying the full debt to Hansen, whether or not his former partner pays any portion. Rammell believes his decision to run as an Independent has Republicans concerned.

“I think they are getting worried. I think they worried that I would spoil the race,” he said. “Now, I think they believe I might have a chance to win.”

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

Reader Comments

Submit a Comment

Commenting Rules

Report a Comment