(BISMARCK, ND – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 25, 2014) – Bob Valeu, Chairman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party, announced today that the party sent a letter to Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem asking him to issue a “cease and desist” order prohibiting Odney Advertising from accessing the confidential information of 48,000 North Dakota college and university students.

The request is in response to an email sent by Odney Advertising President Pat Finken to NDUS officials on or about September 6, asking officials to provide the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for all students attending NDUS institutions.

Odney Advertising is the political consulting agency for the North Dakota Republican Party. According to media reports, Odney Advertising received $23.8 million from state contracts in the 2009-11 biennium and has gained almost $6 million in state contracts during this current budget cycle (Fargo Forum, 9/13/14). There are several questions about whether Odney Advertising may be improperly using funds from state contracts for political purposes.

Valeu stated: “This is another example of the blurred lines between state government, the North Dakota Republican Party, and Odney Advertising. Republicans, through Odney Advertising, think that the North Dakota University System should be their private data farm.

“Odney Advertising’s request violates the implicit understanding each student has regarding the privacy of their personal information. If Odney Advertising gets access to this information, 48,000 students will be open to solicitation from candidates and interest groups. Their personal information will further be compromised, as Odney Advertising will use that data for their agency’s own marketing purposes, including selling that data to vendors.

“North Dakotans deserve better. They deserve accountability and transparency. That is why we need to bring balance back to Bismarck by electing more North Dakota Democrats on November 4th. The people are best served when there is balance and both political parties hold the other accountable. We don’t have that in Bismarck today. That’s why Odney Advertising feels it can make this inappropriate request on behalf of their client, the North Dakota Republican Party, and in preserving one-party Republican control for their agency’s own private financial benefit at the expense of taxpayers.”

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Letter to Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem

Email from Odney Advertising President Pat Finken to the North Dakota University System

North Dakota State Government Payments to Odney Advertising To Date for 2013-15 Biennium

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From:: Dem-NPL News