Club for Growth Action Releases TV Ad in Montana Congressional Race

CFG Action Updates  |   June 18, 2019

Ad Highlights Corey Stapleton’s Ethics Violations, Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars

Club for Growth Action released a TV ad today in the Montana At-large congressional race that highlights Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton’s ethics violations and disregard for taxpayer dollars. The ad will run statewide on Fox News cable TV.

Entitled “Costly Corey,” the ad reminds voters that Corey Stapleton was found guilty of four separate ethics violations for using state resources for his political campaign. In addition, Stapleton’s sloppiness cost Montana taxpayers thousands of dollars when he sent out an inaccurate voter guide. To make matters worth, Stapleton thought his bad behavior made him worthy of a pay hike – which he happily accepted even while other Montana officials turned it down.

The Montana At-large congressional seat became available when the current Rep. Greg Gianforte threw his hat into the gubernatorial race. Club for Growth PAC endorsed Montana State Auditor Matt Rosendale in the congressional race yesterday.

“When it comes to standing up for taxpayers, Corey Stapleton’s record is abundantly clear – he cares more about himself than the people he was elected to serve,” said Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh. “Montana taxpayers can’t afford Costly Corey in the U.S. Congress.

“Luckily, Montana Republicans have a choice in this congressional primary. State Auditor Matt Rosendale is a proven conservative who has stood up to Democrats and Republicans to protect taxpayers from wasteful projects and bloated government. Matt Rosendale is exactly the kind of person Montana taxpayers want in Congress fighting for them.”

Ad Script

  • How much has Corey Stapleton cost you?
  • Stapleton was found guilty of four separate ethics violations for using state resources to benefit his own political campaign
  • His office cost taxpayers $265,000 when he sent out an inaccurate state voter guide
  • So, of course, while other state officers turned down a pay hike, Stapleton took a raise for himself
  • Costly Corey Stapleton – wrong for Congress
  • Club for Growth Action is responsible for the content of this advertising

Backup

Stapleton’s Costly Ethics Violation

  • “Secretary of State Corey Stapleton was fined $4,000 Monday for violating state ethics laws.
  • “Stapleton misused state resources when sending a press release from the Secretary of State’s Office announcing his bid for governor in 2020, according to a decision signed by
  • “…Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan cited four violations of state ethics laws in his order Monday.” (Montana Public Radio, 2/11/2019)

Stapleton’s Costly Voter Pamphlet Mistake

  • “The Montana Secretary of State’s office has mailed out an addendum to the voter information pamphlet at a total cost of over $265,000.
  • “Christi Jacobsen, chief of staff for Secretary of State Corey Stapleton, said in an email Friday that the text in the pamphlet is accurate. But in several instances language should be underlined or have a line through the middle of the word. That’s an important distinction, because underlined words are proposed new statutory language, while stricken words are proposed to be removed from the statute.” (Billings Gazette, 10/12/2018)

Stapleton’s Costly Pay Raise 

  • “Some of Montana’s elected officials will have a little something extra in the paycheck as of July 1, thanks to a biennial survey that looks at what they make as compared to the same officials in surrounding states.
  • “Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney gets a 3.6 percent raise to $90,140, Attorney General Tim Fox’s pay increases 2.9 percent to $141,023, Secretary of State Corey Stapleton gets a 2.5 percent pay raise to $98,104.
  • “The survey notes that elected officials can decide not to accept the raise. State Auditor Matt Rosendale will refuse his, just like he did in 2017, a spokesman said. He is telling staff to keep his salary at $92,236, the same as it was when he was sworn as auditor on Jan. 2, 2017.
  • “[Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Montana Elsie] Arntzen donated her $2,500 raise to her agency’s mental health and suicide prevention programs, a department official said. She plans to donate her raise this time around as well, a department spokesman said Friday.” (Great Falls Tribune, 5/20/2019)
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