Minn. bloggers file ethics complaint against Bachmann

​Three Minnesota bloggers filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Michele Bachmann this week, claiming the Republican violated House franking rules in an email to constituents.

Dusty Trice, Brian Falldin, and Aaron Landry asked the House Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate the alleged violation in a May 26 email.

The bloggers say Bachmann advocated for the National Automobile Dealers Association, which is a political organization. They say that violates House franking rules, which stipulate that members can only refer readers to government resources and private groups doing public policy programs such as the Red Cross.

Trice and Falldin have both worked for Democratic candidate races. Landry is a left-leaning blogger for MNPublius.

In the bloggers's press release, Landry points out Bachmann's support for NADA could be related to their donations to her campaign.

"Michele Bachmann is no stranger to NADA, they've been a strong donor to her congressional campaign committee," he said. According to their research, Bachmann has received about $13,000 from NADA since 2006.

Trice also sees a connection. "It's clear that Michele Bachmann cares about one thing - and that's making sure she rewards those who give her the most money, regardless of the rules she needs to break in the process," he said in the release.

Commenters on MNPublius have tried to call out the bloggers for a purely partisan move, saying it is politics as usual.

Read the full complaint letter here (PDF).