Outside Interests Target Local Candidates

By Gordon HopkinsResults of the primary election were not available before FJN went to print. Therefore, results have been posted online as well as in the window of the FJN newsroom. Results are not official until certified.Even when the results are known, it will likely be impossible to gauge the full impact of a last minute political advertising blitz by outside interests.Days before the election, residents of Jefferson and Gage counties received postcards opposing candidates in local elections. Local candidates have denied involvement in the mailers. Instead, print on the cards indicate they were paid for by PACs (Political Action Committees) outside the election area. Jefferson CountyJefferson County residents have recently received postcards in the mail, opposing a candidate for County Commissioner, District 2, Danielle Schwab. The postcards indicated they were paid for by a Texas-based Political Action Committee, R.E.D. (Rural Economic Development) PAC, which endorsed Schwab's opponent, incumbent Gale Pohlmann.Pohlmann denied any involvement or knowledge of the mailers. In fact, he told FJN the first he knew of them was when he received one in the mail, “I have conversed with Danielle and assured her that I did not even know this group existed prior to receiving this postcard, and she accepted that, feeling too that this was out of state interests doing this. We both agreed that this campaign was going quite well and all of us were eagerly awaiting the results this coming Tuesday. We have all worked hard and honestly trying to each tell our story to the voters. It’s a shame that this had to happen.”The postcards may not be having the intended effect, as illustrated by a recent Facebook post, “Always try to stay as neutral as possible…but when crap like this hits my mailbox…it ticks me off. If I was not going to vote for Danielle Ross Schwab before, I CERTAINLY will consider it now. In a local, rural Nebraska race, this BS says more about the opposition’s character than the qualifications of Danielle.”Schwab posted, “The eagle has landed but maybe it’s working IN my favor….people are not happy.”Despite Pohlmann's denial and the disclaimer on the postcards, “Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's campaign committee,” some people still assume Pohlmann is behind the attack on Schwab, as indicated by social media comments such as, “I didn’t think Gale would stoop so low,” and, “So Gail (sic) is that kind of politician.”Schwab responded to those comments, “we don’t think this came from any of our local candidates-this is from an outside entity trying to influence our local election.” R.E.D. PACR.E.D. PAC describes itself on its website as, “dedicated to protecting private property rights, increasing local government transparency, fostering common-sense solutions and innovation, bolstering national security, and promoting rural economic development.”R.E.D. PAC focuses on down ballot races, such as county commissioners and supervisors,particularly in rural communities. The PAC has endorsed, and opposed, candidates in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.In Nebraska, the PAC has endorsed candidates in Jefferson, Gage and York counties.The chief strategist for R.E.D. PAC is Republican strategist Charlie Kolean, president of Strategic Political Management, a political consulting firm in Texas.According to the expenditure reports obtained from the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, R.E.D. PAC spent $4,400 in direct mail expenses and another $850 in digital advertising. Those funds were paid to Direct Wins LLC, an Oklahoma-based direct mail firm. The expenditure reports indicate those funds were used expressly for marketing in opposition to Schwab.FJN has reached out to R.E.D. PAC for a comment. As of press time, no response has been received. Gage CountyGage County residents also have postcards, opposing the incumbent in the race for County Supervisor, District 2, Emily Haxby. Those postcards purport to be paid for by an organization called Nebraska Trump PAC (Political Action Committee). However, there is no PAC by that name registered with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.FJN contacted Haxby, who indicated she did not know who was behind the mailers.The postcard uses an image of the 45th president, Donald J. Trump, and one of his most well-know quotes, “We need to drain the swamp!”The postcard also makes a number of claims, such as “Emily Haxby has supported many Anti-Trump policies,” and “Why is Emily Haxby taking money from Big City lobbyists?” However, no evidence of this, no specifics and no examples are provided. No contact information for the group is available to ask questions. FJN reached out to the Trump Organization and Trump election campaign to ask for a comment about the use of the presidential candidate's likeness in these mailers. As of press time, no response was received. However, former Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles W. Herbster, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, does not believe Trump would not have supported the effort to oust Haxby from the position of supervisor. So much so that he is offering a $2,000 reward for identifying the persons behind the mailers.“This is underhanded and dirty politics plain and simple. I want to put an end to this type of cowardly activity here in Nebraska,” said Herbster. “There is no such known organization as The Nebraska Trump PAC, and we need to find out who is responsible for this mailer so we can prevent this illegal behavior in the future. Nobody on the Donald J. Trump Team would ever authorize or condone the use of his name or likeness in this manner.”Herbster added, “Dirty politics have got to end. People think they can do these things and not be held accountable for their actions. Somebody knows who is behind this cowardly and illegal mailing. It was printed somewhere, stamps were purchased somewhere, it was labeled somewhere, and it was mailed somewhere. If you know anything, come get your reward.” A number of postcard recipients have called the Herbster-backed PAC, Nebraska First, asking if they were associated with Nebraska Trump PAC. FJN spoke with Rod Edwards with Nebraska First, who confirmed they are not associated with Nebraska Trump PAC in any way.“I've seen this type of activity in the past,” said Edwards. “It's hand stamped, it's hand addressed, you know, to cut back on the trail, but somebody printed this somewhere and it got put in a mailbox someplace.”Per the post mark on the postcard provided to FJN by Haxby, it was mailed from Omaha. Political Advertising RegulationsFJN has obtained examples of both postcards. Neither includes a physical address, which is required by Nebraska statute.According to Nebraska Revised Statute 49-1474.01, “The person, except an individual or individuals acting independently utilizing their own personal resources, who pays for the production, distribution, or posting of a billboard, placard, poster, pamphlet, or other printed matter relating to a candidate or ballot question shall cause a disclaimer containing the name and street address of the person to appear on such matter.”R.E.D. PAC. Has also opposed Haxby and endorsed her challenger, Jim Ensz. Haxby has filed a formal complaint against R.E.D. PAC.When asked if the thought R.E.D. PAC and Nebraska Trump PAC were connected, Haxby told FJN, “I don't think so.”When asked why she did not file a complaint against Nebraska Trump PAC, she said, “I'm not sure if I can file a complaint against a PAC that doesn't exist.”

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