05/13/08

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Supporters of Interior Secretary Dirk
Kempthorne plan to hold a fundraiser next week to help him pay off
debts accumulated during his successful 2002 run for governor of
Idaho.

Invitations for the ``debt retirement reception'' planned for
May 22 have been sent to raise money to pay off the remaining
$15,000 from the 2002 campaign.

Officials say the campaign had to stop raising money to pay off
the debt after President Bush nominated Kempthorne in 2006 as
secretary of the interior.

Graham Paterson, a fundraising consultant, says the group had to
find a way to comply with stricter federal rules that
administration appointees must follow.

Kempthorne will not attend the May 22 event.

___

Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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