Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Mike Hathorn just sent a letter to his opponent Bill Halter and “cc”d the Arkansas news media via email.

He is accusing Halter of campaign finance reporting irregularities:

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Dear Bill:

As you know, I am committed to running a positive campaign focused on the issues of this race.  However, after reviewing your campaign financial disclosure reports, I have several serious concerns regarding the financial record keeping of your campaigns. Your public reports raise a number of questions, and seem to indicate that you have violated several provisions of the Arkansas Rules on Campaign Finance and Disclosure.

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Transparency in Government and the public conduct of those who wish to serve the people as elected officials should be held in high regard. Rather than immediately filing official complaints with the State Ethics Commission, I want to extend you the opportunity to answer the following 18 questions regarding your campaign finances as a courtesy between candidates.

Hathorn goes on to say that if Halter doesn’t answer his 18 questions within 24 hours, he will file official complaints with the Ethics Commission.

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Read the 18 questions after the jump.

UPDATE: Here is the response from Bud Jackson, Halter’s spokesman:

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And the beat goes on.  What tomorrow, Mike Hathorn?  Bill Halter hates puppies?

If Mike Hathorn would like to file an ethics complaint rather than address the issues that Arkansans care about – such as making our schools excellent and building and attracting new jobs – then that is his business.

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This is just another shameless, immature political publicity stunt being orchestrated by a desperate third-place candidate with a history of engaging in negative campaigning.  It is particularly ironic given that Mike Hathorn has already been formally reprimanded by the Ethics Commission.

We will not respond to Mike Hathorn’s desperate shenanigans.  Our financial disclosures are open to the public.

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It is obvious to voters and the media that the closer we approach this election the more desperate Mike Hathorn grows.  Bill Halter will continue to run a positive campaign focusing on his plan to make our schools excellent while building and attracting the better-paying jobs of the 21st Century.

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