In an unusual move, University of Idaho President C. Scott Green donated $4,250 to legislative candidates ahead of the May 21 Republican primary.
One of the donations (up to $1,000 allowed under state law) went to Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder, R-Boise. This spring, Winder sponsored legislation designed to restructure the U of I's controversial $685 million plan to acquire the University of Phoenix. The bill was defeated in the Senate in late March, putting the purchase in jeopardy.
Two of the donations went to Rep. Matt Bundy, R-Mountain Home, and Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, who opposed a separate House proposal that would have allowed lawmakers to file lawsuits to block the Phoenix takeover. The proposal passed the House but was not taken up by the Senate.
Green also contributed to former state Sen. Jim Woodward, who is running against Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle. and Lori Bishop, who is challenging Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton.
All five donations went to candidates running against hardline conservative incumbents or challengers in primaries.
It's not uncommon for state university presidents to get involved in partisan primaries. In an email Thursday, U of I spokeswoman Jodi Walker defended Green and his wife, Gabriella's donation.
“Any political contributions from Scott or Gabriella Green come from their own resources and are not related to university funding. As citizens, it is their right to support the candidate of their choice,” Walker said.
Gabriella Green donated $25,000 to Idaho Deserves Better, a third-party group campaigning against state Sen. Dan Foreman of Viola, a hard-line conservative who represents Lata County.
The April donation is not C. Scott Green's first political contribution this election cycle. Last August, Greene donated $10,000 to New Horizons, a political action committee led by then-House Majority Leader Megan Blanksma (R-Hammett).
April donations don't easily add up. Campaign finance reports list variations of Green's name: first and middle initial or first name Cumer. The report also lists two addresses: the University of Ely Administration Building and the University of Ely President's Residence.
“There is no effort at all to obscure this support and in fact (the Green Party) proudly confirms these donations,” Walker said.