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But Democrat Chris Buckel of Hammond said that the incident was isolated and he did not repeatedly use the account to discuss aspects of his campaign, as state Republicans allege.
The state GOP says Buckel sent and received campaign e-mails at his computer at St. Croix Central High School, where he teaches.
“When I officially registered as a candidate, I knew that I shouldn’t be using my school e-mail, so I thought I did a very good job of not doing it for campaign work,” Buckel told The Associated Press in a phone interview.
In one e-mail, Buckel acknowledges he could get in trouble for using the school e-mail account for campaign purposes.
“A cousin e-mailed me,” Buckel said. “I told him immediately he shouldn’t be using my e-mail address in the campaign.”
Buckel, who had forums in Menomonie and River Falls on Tuesday, faces incumbent Rep. John Murtha, R-Baldwin, in the Nov. 4 election.
He said there’s been an influx of negative advertising against both candidates.
“We’re allowing groups from outside the state of Wisconsin, outside the district to distort the truth about the campaigns,” Buckel said. “When I first decided to run, I wanted to make it a positive campaign. I made a promise to myself, my close friends not to go negative.
“I want voters look at my background, look at what I stand for. Look at John, what he stands for, and vote for the person that best represents them.”
