Hahn calls for Horner to quit race

Rob Hahn, who is challenging Tom Horner for the Independence Party's nomination in the August 10th primary, says Horner should quit the race. Hahn says he's disappointed that a poll was done by a firm that employs his deputy campaign manager.

The poll, done by Decision Resources, showed Horner with higher poll results than other independent polls. An affidavit filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings also showed that Decision Resources owner Bill Morris shared the poll results with Horner before the results were publicly known. Morris said in an affidavit that he shared the information with The Pioneer Press one day before he shared the information with Horner's campaign. The Minnesota Republican Party filed a complaint with the OAH saying the poll should amount to a corporate contribution.

Hahn also says Diane Traxler is listed on the Decision Resources website as a partner at the firm and also works as Deputy Manager for the Tom Horner for Governor campaign.

Hahn wants Horner to quit the race and is calling on the Independence Party to rescind the IP's backing of Horner.

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"The bottom line is that Tom Horner continues a trend of being less than forthcoming with the public, and if he had any sense of responsibility, he would drop out of the race," Hahn said in a news release. "His relationship with DRL is just one of many business relationships he's danced around. And this from a guy who repeatedly says he wants to engage the public in good honest discussions? Compromised collusion personified."

I contacted Horner's campaign for a comment and will post a response once I get one.

Horner's campaign spokesman, Matt Lewis, declined to comment on Hahn's allegation and the hearings. He did release this one sentence statement:

"As a former news producer, Mr. Hahn surely knows that when information is released to the media it is public information."

Expect the issue to come up during tonight's debate between Horner and Hahn. TPT will air the full debate on Friday night.