The Federal Election Commission has dismissed the second of two complaints against Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, made by the Idaho Democratic Party last year.
The commission voted 4-2 to accept Risch's explanation that a mistake was made by his campaign's mail vendor when it put Right to Life of Idaho Inc.'s permit on a mailing that included letters from Right to Life board member Kerry Uhlenkott and Risch.
Democratic Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly joined three GOP commissioners in agreeing to a staff recommendation that the case be dismissed. The commission voted Aug. 26, and the decision was announced last week.
An earlier complaint that Risch improperly used his law office for campaign purposes was dismissed on a 6-0 vote in June.
Uhlenkott submitted an affidavit saying Right to Life did not pay the cost of the mailing and that the bulk-mail permit was not used with the group's permission or knowledge. The law prohibits corporations from spending on federal campaigns.
Risch told the commission his Senate campaign paid all costs and that his mail vendor mistakenly used Right to Life's permit. The FEC general counsel's office called the complaint a "low-rated" matter that warranted the exercise of prosecutorial discretion and dismissal of the case.
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