Planned Parenthood will get off with a slap to the wrist.
Via Billings Gazette
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana violated state law in its campaign against a Billings Republican in the 2014 elections, the state Commissioner of Political Practices has ruled.
Commissioner Jonathan Motl, in an opinion issued Monday, said Planned Parenthood Advocates failed to notify GOP legislative candidate Tonya Shellnutt of attack ads targeting her in the last 10 days before the Nov. 4 election. State law requires that candidates receive notice of attacks launched during the election cycle’s last 10 days so they can respond.
Planned Parenthood Advocates acknowledged to Motl that its attack against Shellnutt didn’t comply with state law, then self-reported committing the same violation against Missoula Republican Dick Haines.
Planned Parenthood Advocates is the political arm of Planned Parenthood, a provider of women’s health services, including abortion. Planned Parenthood Advocates also disclosed to Motl campaign finance reporting violations.[…]
Mailed to voters eight days before Election Day, the Planned Parenthood flier portrayed a female doctor with the statement “Tonya Shellnutt thinks abortion should be illegal — even in cases of rape and incest, and to save a mother’s life.
“Tonya Shellnutt’s dangerous views would put women’s health at risk.”
Shellnutt lost by 532 votes to Democrat Mary McNally in Senate District 24.
In Missoula, Haines’ race was much closer in Senate District 49. The Missoula Republican lost to Democrat Diane Sands by 35 votes in a race that was decided by recount last week.
Thursday, Haines told The Gazette he was unaware that Planned Parenthood Advocates had mailed attack ads to voters in his district. He was also unaware of Motl’s ruling or that Planned Parenthood Advocates had used its response to the Shellnutt complaint to self-report its violations in Senate District 49.
“Do I get another election?” Haines asked. He doesn’t.