Statement of Peter Waldron Concerning Finding of Probable Cause Against Iowa State Senator Kent Sorenson

Today the Special Counsel appointed by the Iowa Supreme Court found probable cause for my allegation that Sen. Kent Sorenson violated Iowa Senate Ethics Rule 6 which forbids payment to a sitting senator for his or her endorsement of a presidential candidate in the Iowa caucuses. I am pleased to be vindicated but naturally regret that the Iowa first-in-the-nation caucus position has been soiled by the events uncovered by the Special Counsel. I outlined many of my concerns in my book Bachmannistan: Behind the Lines but the investigation was ongoing at the time of its publication. This, then, is my first opportunity to comment. The people of Iowa must now change the ethics rules by which they control the behavior of their senators in both parties. No payments of any kind, directly or indirectly, can flow to senators if Iowa wishes to preserve it unique role in the presidential nominating system in America. I wish them well.