ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Republicans say Democrats operating a doughnut stand at the Minnesota State Fair should disclose to patrons that their purchase is a political contribution.
The group has been registered since 1977 and contributes the profits to local Democratic-Farmer-Labor groups, the Pioneer Press (https://bit.ly/2o9AFFd ) reported.
Republican Rep. Randy Jessup of Shoreview has proposed a bill that would require the doughnut booth’s operators to tell each customer before the sale that proceeds may be used to make a contribution. The measure would also limit where the proceeds could go.
“I ask all of us: Do you want to defend this type of an operation?” Jessup said. “Does the end justify the means? Is it right to deceive people making a purchase and then having it become a political contribution?”
The bill is only one paragraph long and doesn’t mention the State Fair, fried foods or the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The measure has more than two dozen Republican co-sponsors in the House, and a similar bill in the Senate has five Republican sponsors.
The group’s chairman, Marc Asch, said the doughnut stand operates like any other booth. He said the booth doesn’t have a sign proclaiming its political aims, but that there’s nothing secret about it.
“I don’t understand the obsession,” he said. “I don’t understand why these guys have their undies in a bunch over this.”
Campaign finance reports show the doughnut booth reported generating $206,000 from doughnut sales and $121,000 in expenses last year. The doughnut proceeds have allowed the 10th Ward & Rural Ramsey County political committee to donate at least $270,000 to DFL state Senate and House party groups since 2001.
The group doesn’t contribute to candidates or other campaigns.
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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, https://www.twincities.com
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