Democratic leader claims Porter broke election law

Benjamin Grove

Friday, April 28, 2000 | 12:20 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Congressional candidate Jon Porter violated a federal election law by not specifically stating on a campaign flier who paid for the advertisement, the Nevada State Democratic Party charged Thursday.

"It's kind of campaign finance 101 -- if you're a federal candidate, you have to tell what the source of the flier is and who paid for it," Nevada State Democratic Party Chairman Rory Reid said in an interview. "If someone is a candidate for federal office, they probably better -- first of all -- understand the law. And second, they better comply with it."

Reid asked the Federal Election Commission in Washington to "take swift action" in a letter dated Thursday.

The flier gives brief points of Porter's accomplishments in the state Senate and his goals for Congress. Porter is running for the House against incumbent Shelley Berkley.

Porter spokesman Josh Griffin said the Porter campaign paid roughly $1,100 for 2,500 of the 3-by-8 inch fliers, about half of which have been passed out by hand at events such as the Clark County Republican Party convention. The fliers have not been mailed, Griffin said.

Griffin said it was an honest mistake that the words "Paid for by" did not appear on the flier. Griffin said the campaign will stamp the remaining fliers with "paid for by" language so that the fliers comply with the law.

Griffin dismissed Reid's letter to the FEC as political "nastiness."

Griffin stressed that the flier on front and back clearly stated in large type, "Jon Porter for Congress." The flier also features a short message to voters signed by Porter and also directs people to call a working phone number -- Porter's campaign office -- or visit his website.

The FEC had not received the letter as of Thursday, a spokeswoman said.