Green Party Candidate's Filing Fees Paid By Republicans

Buckshot · Luke Warm Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 449

Controversy Brews In 15th District Senate Race
Green Party Candidate's Filing Fees Paid By Republicans

POSTED: 9:34 pm PDT October 26, 2004
UPDATED: 9:42 pm PDT October 26, 2004

CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. -- Republican candidate Abel Maldonado and Democratic candidate Peg Pinard have been the most visible in the Senate race for the 15th District. However, there is a third person running. His campaign hasn't gotten a lot of attention, but it's not without controversy.

Brooke Madsen said he has unofficially dropped out of the race because it didn't feel right when Republicans paid for him to get on the ballot as a Green Party candidate to be, as he says, an election spoiler.

Madsen said he never thought of himself as a politician. The electrician from Carmel Valley said the only thing on his political resume is being a registered Green Party member. But Madsen said he's quickly learned there's a dark side to politics after a chance meeting with Monterey's Republican Party co-chairman, Paul Bruno.

"I was eventually propositioned by the Republicans to run under the pretext they were Greens, and I took it. I knew it was kind of strange, and I went ahead with it. I did it anyway. They gave me $1,000 for my filing fees, which I took. Eventually, I did figure out the whole truth," Madsen said.

The truth, Madsen said, is that Republicans paid to put him on the ballot to take votes away from Peg Pinard.

"They did lie. They were using me as a pawn," Madsen said.

Pinard and Maldonado are in a tight race. Maldonado's representatives released a written statement in connection with Madsen and his accusations:

"I am very disappointed in Mr. Bruno for doing this. It shows very poor judgment on his part. Furthermore, I condemn these actions. They have no place in this campaign or any other campaign. I hope in these final days we can put this behind us and focus on the issues facing our district and our state."

Now, Madsen said he is endorsing Pinard, even though he isn't totally out of the race.

"I'm still on the ballot. I wouldn't mind winning the election, if that was a possibility. It's probably not, but that's OK. At least I got to vote for myself," Madsen said.

Madsen said he would feel bad if Pinard lost this election because people voted for him as a Green Party candidate. The Green Party has never endorsed Madsen after learning of the scandal. They are endorsing Pinard.

Action News tried to contact Bruno, but he did not return calls

Green Party Candidate's Filing Fees Paid By Republicans

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