Republican Leadership, Senate candidate Mary Kremer Make Illegal Robo-calls

Senate Democrats file third complaint in three days with Department of Justice in attempt to stop illegal robo-calls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Senate Democratic Leadership Fund (SDLF) is prepared file their third letter of complaint today with the Oregon Department of Justice in their effort to stop illegal automated phone calls made on behalf of Republican State Senate candidates.

Yesterday, SDLF filed a letter against the Mary Kremer for Senate Committee and The Leadership Fund, the campaign operation for Oregon Senate Republicans. The day prior, SDLF filed a letter of complaint against the Alan Olsen for Senate Committee and The Leadership Fund, citing the same violation of the law. Today, SDLF is prepared to file a letter against Edge Research of Virginia, a firm conducting automated polls on conservative issues.  

“This consistent disregard of the law should not be tolerated,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin. “We will file a complaint every time we learn that Senate Republicans are breaking the rules because we want a fair election for Oregon voters. Let’s settle this matter, play by the rules, and move on to talking about the important issues facing the state.”

Oregon law prohibits making telephone calls using "automatic dialing and announcing devices" ("robocalls") to numbers listed in the federal Do Not Call Registry. ORS 646A.372(2)(c). The fine for each violation is $5,000. ORS 646A.376. Violations of the robocall statue are also prohibited under the Unfair Trade Practices Act. ORS 646A.376; ORS 646.632.

Several residents who are registered on the Federal Do Not Call registry reported receiving the calls in the last week.

“It's clear that Senate Republicans are willing to break this law over and over again,” said Ben Unger, Executive Director of the SDLF. “They don’t show any sign of stopping which is why we're asking the Attorney General to impose the maximum fine. We want to settle this matter once and for all.”

On Tuesday, alert voters made the SDLF aware of the illegal robocalls being made into Senate District 19.  The party responsible for the calls is unknown, but they were made on behalf of Senate candidate Mary Kremer.  The calls were negative in nature, and they apparently attacked State Senator Richard Devlin.  The SDLF has not received a copy of the recording. 

Molly Woon

(503) 367-4327

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