Letter to the editor: Cramer’s claims on contributions are false

Rather than explain how more than $80,000 in political money that Public Service Commissioners Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk have taken from regulated interests does not violate North Dakota’s bribery law (“N.D. Dem PSC candidate says bribery law flouted,” The Jamestown Sun, Aug. 3), Cramer tries to shoot the messenger by falsely claiming that I conceal campaign contributions by funneling them through the Democratic-NPL party.

Cramer knows that I have not received any money in this campaign from a political party, and his flagrant disregard for facts is a disturbing character flaw in a regulator.

Unlike other candidates, my contributions are reported publicly every month on my campaign website. I am the first statewide candidate ever in North Dakota to commit to this level of transparency.

I announced my PSC pledge of independence in April, taking the unprecedented step of refusing any contributions from regulated companies or individuals who could have business before the PSC. I said then that I would gladly go further and also refuse political party contributions, if my opponent joined me in my pledge.

My invitation to my opponent still stands, and I extend that invitation to Cramer and Kalk. They can return their contributions from regulated interests and join me in my pledge to end the culture of corruption at the PSC.

Brad Crabtree

Ashley, N.D.

(Crabtree is a candidate for North Dakota public service commissioner)

Tags: opinion, letters, politics