The state Republican Party claims Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaigns are illegally coordinating on a statewide recount.
In a complaint filed with the Federal Elections Commission, the Wisconsin GOP argues Clinton is the main benefactor from Stein’s campaign raising and spending $3.5 million on the recount. “Hillary Clinton’s campaign has taken full advantage of this recount and it raises serious questions about illegal coordination with Jill Stein’s Presidential Campaign,” argued Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesman Pat Garrett
Stein asked for the recount, but Clinton’s campaign said it will help oversee the process and was allowed to intervene in a lawsuit this week that sought a court order for a hand recount in all 72 Wisconsin counties. Republicans argue that amounts to a coordinated expenditure, which is a violation of federal law.
Stein’s campaign called the complaint a “PR stunt” that would have no impact on the recount. “The recount effort is non-partisan and Stein is not coordinating with any other campaign. Any allegations to the contrary are fabrications,” campaign manager David Cobb said in a statement.
The Clinton campaign did not respond to a request for comment.