Duffy Campaign Says Leaked Emails Show Hoeft Pressuring Student Groups to Support Her Campaign

Duffy campaign says leaked emails show Hoeft pressuring student groups to support her campaign

Democratic candidate Mary Hoeft who is running for the Wisconsin 7th Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Sean Duffy, Republican, has been accused by the Duffy campaign of trying to influence a taxpayer institution, the University of Wisconsin system, to support her campaign.

In a series of leaked emails, Hoeft was upset that UW-Barron County wouldn’t host a debate between Duffy and herself. 

Duffy campaign officials said Hoeft is pressuring and coercing individuals, including a donor who gave $1,000 to her campaign, to support her in setting up events to promote her candidacy. 

A series of emails were leaked to the Duffy campaign in which Hoeft addresses four individuals asking them to ask student groups to invite both her and Duffy to a debate hosted by one of the student groups.

Hoeft wrote in the emails Duffy would say no to participating and that is okay, she would still come, but she needed the invite to happen.

“I know you can read the frustration level in my voice and I'm sorry, but after 45 years at the university, it never occurred to me that I wouldn't have university support.  Come on someone, make this happen,” Hoeft wrote.

Hoeft retired in August from UW-Barron County as a professor of communication arts and French.

When confronted about the emails at a campaign stop in Chippewa Falls, Hoeft said she believed someone hacked her account, but later admitted to leaking the emails herself to the Duffy campaign.

“This is an overblown attempt by the Duffy campaign to make a mountain out of a mole hill,” said Susan Hansen, campaign manager for Mary Hoeft. “Mary was simply explaining to her friends, on their personal email accounts, that if the student groups wish to sponsor a Forum or Debate or something and Mr. Duffy declines it is standard operating procedure that the other candidate may attend if the students wish to host them.

“This is what happened at Nicollet College and UW Superior,” Hansen told DrydenWire.  “Mr. Duffy is hiding from participation and some people are confused thinking that means there can be no event at all.”

There are two debates scheduled between Duffy and Hoeft set for Nov. 3 in Wausau and Nov. 4 in Hayward.

Hoeft claims these debates are a “sham” because Duffy’s campaign set up all the rules, locations and what media could cover them.

“When one candidate organizes every aspect of a debate and tells his opponent she can either accept within 48 hours or there will be NO debates, I say ‘Your behavior is an assault on our democratic process!’ It is an honored expectation, in a democracy, that debates will be organized by independent groups and not by one of the candidates,” Hoeft said in a statement she published on her campaign Facebook page on Thursday, October 20.

In the post, Hoeft told Duffy to “be a man” and accept any one of the many invitations to participate in a debate or forum organized by nonpartisan groups. Hoeft said invites have been sent by AAUW, League of Women Voters, WPR, Mercer Library and the Medford Public Schools.

Hoeft sent the first leaked email on Oct. 15 at 10:11 pm. In it she wrote, “Hi Quentin, Sonya, Mark, and Linda,

“It isn't too late to invite both Sean Duffy and me to a debate at the university.  He won't respond but that isn't a problem.  I wouId still be able to speak.

“Please let me speak to those I care the most about.  I honestly don't understand what is happening.  I have asked SGA President Shawn Larson and he said he was letting League of Women Voters take charge.  I don't understand that.  What does the League have to do with me speaking at the university?  Will someone please take charge and make this happen before it is too late.  Please!”

Hoeft sent another email at 10:23 pm to the same individuals.

“Last night, at the shower, Abbey Fischer said maybe she could get her chemistry group to invite Sean and me to speak.  I hate to put someone new in that position--but she really seemed to understand how important it was to me.  Perhaps you could all encourage her to help (I don't have her personal email).  But why isn't PTK doing something?  Or SGA?  Does Christa advise a group?  If so, Christa, can you get that group to invite me to campus?  Who is advising SGA now?  I don't have Lauren's personal email but perhaps she has a club that could invite me???  Will someone ask her?  Remember that both Sean and I have to be invited.  He will say NO but I can still come,” Hoeft wrote. “Thanks.  I know you can read the "frustration" level in my voice and I'm sorry--but after 45 years at the university, it never occurred to me that I wouldn't have university support.  Come on someone, make this happen.”

The following day, Sunday, October 16, Christa Byrnes answered Hoeft’s emails at 5:12 pm. Christa wrote, “I will talk with Brad and Quentin about PTK.  Please don't feel you are supported.  Things have been rather difficult, but we can talk about that off line. I'll let you know.”

Quentin Vieregge then responded to Christa 12 minutes later writing, “Hi Christa: I've responded to Mary to let her know that Brad and I will meet with PTK about this this week. Sonya is also going to speak to Dylan (a student in SGA). There's two versions on this e-mail floating around, which different people on each one, which is creating a little confusion.”

On Monday morning, Oct. 17, at 6:57 am, Sonya Swearingen wrote, “Good morning, Dylan let me know that SGA isn't planning to host an event because they have the impression that they can't.  I'll try to find out more, but it would be great if PTK is interested.  If not, I'll invite both candidates and coordinate the details of the event.”

Then at 12:32 pm on Monday, Hoeft wrote to all four individuals again. She said, “You are amazing!  The question is--who gave SGA the impression that they can't.  As long as the invitation goes to both candidates, there is NO problem.  Who is feeding them the wrong information???  That would be very interesting to know.  I agree that it would be better if PTK supported it.  BUT, the event I was invited to at Nicollet College in Rhinelander was organized by administration.”

On Tuesday night at 8:11 pm Mark Conrad wrote to the group, “Need an official email address for Duffy Campaign...could you supply?”

Hoeft responded at 8:32 to Conrad and Darrin Schmitz of the Duffy campaign. She wrote, “The email for the Duffy Campaign is mark@duffyforcongress.com and the name of the man is Mark Bednar.  Thank you so much.  Tomorrow, I am going to different media outlets, asking Duffy to accept a nonpartisan offer to debate.  Is one about to be offered?  If so, I need to know before tomorrow morning.  Can someone call me at 608 658-9885 as soon as you know for sure.

Mary

p.s.  Thank you!  I know you know how important this is to me.  Today, the UW-Superior Pre-Law Students invited me to be at the Student Union.  Duffy said he was ‘busy.’”

 ALSO SEE: Duffy, Hoeft to Debate in Hayward