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ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sen. Lisa Murkowski was booted from office in the Republican primary Tuesday by a little-known conservative political lawyer in arguably the biggest political upset of the year.

Joe Miller, backed by Sarah Palin and the Tea Party Express, became the latest newcomer to the national political stage to take down an incumbent in 2010 amid deep dissatisfaction with the Washington establishment.

Miller’s win was a major victory for the tea party movement and marked the first time it had defeated a sitting senator in a primary.

Tea partiers had knocked off Utah Sen. Bob Bennett at a state convention in May, and emboldened tea partiers now have set their sights on Delaware where they are backing Christine O’Donnell against the more moderate Rep. Mike Castle in the GOP Senate primary.

Murkowski is the third senator to lose this year, along with Bennett and Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

Murkowski trailed Miller, a Fairbanks attorney, by 1,668 votes after the Aug. 24 primary. Election officials began counting absentee and outstanding ballots Tuesday, and Murkowski made slight gains. But after more than 15,000 ballots were counted, she remained 1,630 votes behind.

“We all know that this has been a long week, a terribly long week,” she said at campaign headquarters while conceding. She said that while there were still outstanding votes, “I don’t see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor, and that is a reality that is before me at this point in time.”

“And for that reason, and for the good of the state of Alaska … I am now conceding the race for the Republican nomination.”

The stunning result was a huge validation of the political power of Palin as the former Alaska governor has been playing kingmaker in midterm elections ahead of a potential 2012 White House run.

Miller, 43, is an Ivy League-educated political lawyer, West Point graduate and decorated Gulf War veteran who cast Murkowski as too liberal and part of the problem in an out-of-control Washington. It is a campaign strategy that has helped oust other incumbents this year and that Republicans will employ again in November as they look to take back Congress.

Reached by phone in Fairbanks, Miller told The Associated Press that the answer to the country’s financial solvency crisis is to transfer power back to the states.

Federal aid has been considered an industry in Alaska, but the government’s impending financial crisis will eventually force a reduction in funding to the state, he said.

“We have to be prepared for that, and the way to do it, of course, is to progressionally transfer holdings of the federal government to us,” he said. “And of course, also by reducing federal regulatory burdens over the lands that we do control so that we can develop them more freely and more economically.”

Murkowski has proudly touted her seniority after eight years in office, and said her roles on the appropriations and energy committees put her in a strong position to ensure Alaskans’ voices are heard. Alaska has long been heavily reliant on federal money to run — a legacy largely carved out by former Sen. Ted Stevens before his death in an August plane crash.

After keeping a low profile for much of the race, Palin recorded a robocall for Miller in the campaign’s final days and touted him as a “man of the people” on her Facebook page. She also repeated a claim that Murkowski had waffled on her position on repealing the federal health care overhaul — claims the senator has called false.

Palin has been on a losing streak as of late with her candidates faltering, and many were expecting similar results in Alaska with Murkowski holding such a name-recognition and fundraising advantage. Palin also still remains a highly divisive figure in her home state.

“Do you believe in miracles?!” Sarah Palin tweeted Tuesday night. “Congratulations, (at)JoeWMiller! Thank you for your service, Sen. Murkowski. On to November!”

But as the results began coming in on election night, it became increasingly clear that Miller connected with the voters and tapped into anti-incumbent anger among Republicans.

Aside from a failed legislative bid in 2004, the Kansas-raised Miller had no experience running in political races before jumping into the race to take on Murkowski. He is friends with Sarah and Todd Palin, and they both endorsed him.

Miller also had the blessing from within the tea party crowd. The California-based Tea Party Express said it spent nearly $600,000 to help Miller — most of that in the race’s final weeks, when Miller’s camp said it sensed momentum was on its side and that Miller would win.

The Tea Party Express’ PAC, Our Country Deserves Better, tweeted Tuesday night: “Murkowski concedes!!! Thanks to all who helped make this possible. A great moment for the movement.”

Palin and the Murkowski family have a complicated history.

Palin trounced Murkowski’s father, Frank, in the 2006 gubernatorial primary — the race that would launch her national political career. Last year, she said she’d raise money for Lisa Murkowski, and even contributed to her campaign, quieting widespread speculation that Palin would challenge Murkowski for the seat. But the women have clashed on issues like health care, though they’ve denied any bad blood between them.

Murkowski has fought back against Miller and Palin’s claims. A radio ad on the election’s eve called Miller out as twisting the truth about Murkowski’s position on the federal health care overhaul. Miller has stood by his statements.

“Alaskans deserve to know the honest truth,” she said, “and they haven’t gotten it from Miller.”

The race was disrupted when Stevens died in a plane crash, with both candidates briefly suspending campaigning.

Murkowski was appointed to the Senate at the end of 2002 by her father and won her first term in 2004.

She said she was proud of the campaign she ran, which she called “honest” and “upright.” She said it stayed focused on the issues and the “high road.”

Previously, she had criticized Miller for running an unfair fight.

“This was not a race about Lisa Murkowski,” she said during her concession speech. “This was a race about Alaska.”

During a speech in which her voice wavered at times, she said confidently that once she completes her term, “I’m coming back home.”

“I’m looking forward to coming back home with my family and looking forward to building this great future, a great future that will not only be with my family but helping to fulfill Alaska’s promise, because there’s still so much work that remains to be done.”

“You are WHO I AM,” she told Alaskans.

Miller will face Democrat Scott McAdams, a small-town mayor, in the November general election.

___

Associated Press writers Becky Bohrer in Juneau and Rachel D’Oro and Mark Thiessen in Anchorage contributed to this report.

In a battle of qualified candidates, voters may ultimately be left to decide the Democratic primary for county executive based on personal style.

Councilmen Joseph Bartenfelder and Kevin Kamenetz, both four-term Democrats, have emerged as the two leading candidates in the Sept. 14 primary.

Colleagues, current and former, say each brings his own approach and style to the task of governing.

A third Democrat in the executive race is Ronald Harvey, a retired county employee who is running for the office for the second time since 2006. Harvey said he is running a campaign as a political outsider and is focusing on open government issues.

Harvey, 63, said he does not plan to spend more than $10,000 — half of which will be his own money.

To those who have served with Bartenfelder and Kamenetz, the race between them is not only about the future of the county, but a difference in approach. Wayne Skinner, a Republican former councilman who served with both for one term, said both are smart and hard-working.

Skinner is supporting Republican executive candidate Ken Holt — who is unopposed in the primary, but said the two Democrats have their attributes.

“Kevin is extremely sharp and probably one of the smartest people I’ve ever run into,” Skinner said. “He’s sharp mentally and politically.”

�€œJoe is more of an easy-going, quiet guy,” Skinner said. “He’s a regular guy, the kind of guy you�™d like to have a beer with.”

Both Bartenfelder and Kamenetz joined the council 16 years ago and quickly became part of a four-man team that has essentially run the legislative body for four terms.

Both have served as chairman of the council, which is elected by the majority party, once in each term they were elected to the council. Both have also chaired the council�s Spending Affordability Committee.

A regular Joe

Joseph Bartenfelder, or just “Joe” to his friends and the customers at his produce stand, grew up in Fullerton along a stretch of Ridge Road where everyone for a quarter-mile was family.

He said he learned the values of hard work, faith and family from his late father, Andrew, who retired as a county corrections officer, and his mother, Nancy, who died this past spring and was a school bus driver for the county for more than three decades.

He began working on the family farm, now in its fifth generation, “from the time I could carry a basket.”

Bartenfelder, 53, who had just graduated from then-Towson State University, ran his first campaign, for the House of Delegates, in 1ᚒ. It was a spur-of-the- moment thing, but he said he felt called to do it. Politics is also a family business of sorts. His cousin, Harry Bartenfelder, served two terms on the council.

Joe Bartenfelder finished fourth in a primary in which the top three moved on to the General Election.

“I learned I could win — but if I was going to win I couldn’t just pop up in an election year,” Bartenfelder said.

He spent much of the next four years “getting involved” and building relationships. He ran again in 1982, won, and served three terms. He also ran once, unsuccessfully, against Republican Rep. Helen Delich Bentley, in 썄.

Bartenfelder toyed with the idea of running for county executive in 2002, but got caught up waiting to see if state Sen. Tommy Bromwell would enter the race. Bromwell didn��t, but Bartenfelder sat out anyway, and focused on his farm, council district and his family — coaching rec league soccer, baseball and basketball for his two girls and twin boys.

It’s Bartenfelder’s style of developing personal relationships that has marked his career on the council, according to former colleagues.

“Joe didn’t ask a lot of questions at work sessions,” Skinner said. ��œHe would get someone in the hallway before or after a meeting, and ask them about an issue personally. Joeâ€�s style is to talk to people one-on-one.”

Bartenfelder calls his style “laid back but effective” and said it’s one that is focused on constituent service.

That style has left the door open to critics who say Bartenfelder has little to show in the way of major legislative accomplishments over the past 16 years.

It is criticism supporters are quick to dismiss.

“Are you interested in bills or are you interested in what’s going on in a community?” asked two-term Councilman Ken Oliver, the only councilman so far to endorse Bartenfelder.

“People in the community don’t see bills,” Oliver said. “They see the curbs and gutters and the new schools.”

A mind for details

Kevin Kamenetz, by comparison, is a councilman known for preparation, an eye for details and a quick mind that fuels both his quick wit and, sometimes, terse exchanges with colleagues and the public.

Kamenetz, 52, grew up in Lochearn, the youngest of five children of Irwin and Miriam Kamenetz. Irwin owned Kaye�s Pharmacy in Overlea and all of the children worked there.

“I worked in the pharmacy from the time I could stand on the box and reach the register,” Kamenetz said.

“Doc Kaye” doled out advice to customers who frequently couldn’t afford a doctor, and provided credit to those who couldn’t afford prescriptions.

“The neighborhood had strong working-class values,” Kamenetz said. “I learned about other people’s problems and needs and desires and how to serve the customer.”

Kamenetz attended public schools until his dad visited a sixth-grade teacher who raved about Kevin’s social abilities.

“My father said, ‘Yeah, but what about his math scores?’ ” Kamenetz said. “My father decided to reduce my opportunity to charm female teachers, and thought I would be better suited under stern male teachers that focused on academics.”

Kamenetz graduated from the Gilman School and went on to attend Johns Hopkins University, then law school at the University of Baltimore. He spent his first five years as a political lawyer as assistant state’s attorney in the city.

During that time, Kamenetz became politically active and won a seat on the state Democratic Central Committee and watched and waited for the opportunity to run for the County Council.

He also toyed with the idea of running for county executive in 2002, then state’s attorney in 2006, but ultimately ran for re-election to his current seat.

Kamenetz has a reputation for reading and dissecting every piece of legislation. He’s also the councilman that many say delves into meaty, less sexy issues, such as planned unit developments and financial matters.

Sometimes Kamenetz’s pointed curiosity comes across as abrasive. It’s a characterization Kamenetz acknowledges — and said he works on.

“I accept all criticisms,” Kamenetz said. “It means I am a human being. I work every day to improve upon my faults and temper my virtues.”

Councilman Sam Moxley, who has served with Kamenetz for 16 years, said his colleague’s style can be blunt, but he’s seen it change over the years since Kamenetz married and had children.

“I’ve never heard anyone describe him as a teddy bear,” Moxley said. “Kevin, in my dealings, is always well-prepared and holds himself to a high standard and he holds others to that same high standard.”

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski was booted from office in the Republican primary Tuesday by a little-known conservative political lawyer backed by former governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, in arguably America’s biggest political upset of the year.

Joe Miller, backed by Palin and the ultraconservative Tea Party Express movement, became the latest newcomer to the national political stage to take down an incumbent in 2010 amid deep dissatisfaction with the Washington establishment.

Miller’s win was a major victory for the anti-tax tea party movement and marked the first time it had defeated a sitting senator in a primary. Tea partiers had knocked off Republican Sen. Bob Bennett at a state convention in May.

Murkowski trailed Miller by 1,668 votes after the Aug. 24 primary. Election officials began counting absentee and outstanding ballots Tuesday, and Murkowski made slight gains. But after more than 15,000 ballots were counted, she remained 1,630 votes behind.

“We all know that this has been a long week, a terribly long week,” she said at campaign headquarters while conceding. She said that while there were still outstanding votes, “I don’t see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favour, and that is a reality that is before me at this point in time.”

“And for that reason, and for the good of the state of Alaska … I am now conceding the race for the Republican nomination.”

The stunning result was a huge validation of the political power of Palin as the former Alaska governor has been playing kingmaker in the November congressional elections ahead of a potential 2012 White House run.

Miller, 43, is an Ivy League-educated political lawyer, West Point graduate and decorated Gulf War veteran who cast Murkowski as too liberal and part of the problem in an out-of-control Washington. It is a campaign strategy that has helped oust other incumbents this year and that Republicans will employ again in November as they look to take back Congress.

In a statement, Miller thanked Palin, the tea party movement and Alaska supporters.

“Now is the time for all Alaskans to come together and reach out with our core message of taking power from the federal government and bringing it back home to the people,” he said. “If we continue to allow the federal government to live beyond its means, we will all soon have to live below ours.”

Murkowski has proudly touted her seniority after eight years in office, and said her roles on influential committees put her in a strong position to ensure Alaskans’ voices are heard. Alaska has long been heavily reliant on federal money to run — a legacy largely carved out by former Sen. Ted Stevens, who died in a plane crash this month.

After keeping a low profile for much of the race, Palin recorded an automated phone call for Miller in the campaign’s final days and touted him as a “man of the people” on her Facebook page. She also repeated a claim that Murkowski had waffled on her position on repealing the historic federal health care overhaul — claims the senator has called false.

Palin has been on a losing streak as of late with her candidates faltering, and many were expecting similar results in Alaska with Murkowski holding such a name-recognition and fundraising advantage. Palin also still remains a highly divisive figure in her home state.

But as the results began coming in on election night, it became increasingly clear that Miller connected with the voters and tapped into anti-incumbent anger among Republicans.

Aside from a failed legislative bid in 2004, the Kansas-raised Miller had no experience running in political races before jumping into the race to take on Murkowski.

Miller also had the blessing of the tea party movement. The California-based Tea Party Express reported spending at least $550,ዀ for Miller.

Palin trounced Murkowski’s father, Frank, in the 20Ǧ gubernatorial primary — the race that would launch her national political career. The women have clashed on issues like health care, though they’ve denied any bad blood between them.

Murkowski has fought back against Miller and Palin’s claims. A radio ad on the election’s eve called Miller out as twisting the truth about Murkowski’s position on the federal health care overhaul. Miller has stood by his statements.

The race was disrupted when Stevens died in a plane crash, with both candidates briefly suspending campaign ads.

Murkowski was appointed to the Senate at the end of񎧒 by her father and won her first term in 2004.

During a speech in which her voice wavered at times, she said confidently that once she completes her term, “I’m coming back home.”

Miller becomes the favourite in the heavily Republican state. He will face Democrat Scott McAdams, a small-town mayor, in the November general election.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) conceded to her primary opponent, Fairbanks political lawyer Joe Miller, on Tuesday night — one week after voters in Alaska went to the polls and shocked the state and national political establishment.

“I don’t see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor, and that is a reality that is before me at this point in time,” she said during her live television announcement, the Associated Press reported.

Murkowski becomes the third incumbent Senator to lose renomination this year. Sens. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah) were ousted in the spring.

After the initial vote tally from the Aug. 24 primary, Miller led Murkowski by 1,668 votes, with thousands of absentee and disputed ballots left to be counted.

Alaska had begun counting its first batch of outstanding primary ballots Tuesday to settle the close race. As of 10:35 p.m. EST, the updated vote tally on the Alaska Division of Elections website showed Miller with a lead of 1,630 votes after about 15,000 ballots were counted Tuesday.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) issued a statement congratulating Miller and thanking Murkowski, the GOP Conference Vice Chairwoman, for her work.

“The NRSC is committed to doing everything that we can in order to ensure Joe Miller’s victory this November, and I have no doubt that he will be elected as the next U.S. Senator from Alaska,” Cornyn said.

Miller will run against Democratic candidate Scott McAdams, the mayor of Sitka.

On Monday, the Alaska Libertarian Party announced that it would not drop its nominee in favor of Murkowski, which would prevent her from running on the Libertarian line in November. Murkowski’s only option to compete in the general election would be as a write-in candidate, but that is not viewed as a likely avenue at this point.

Miller had the backing of tea party organizations and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). The conservative Club for Growth, which endorsed Miller late last week after the primary and weighed getting into the contest earlier, also cheered his victory Tuesday night.

“We look forward to helping Joe Miller win in November, and helping him straighten out the Senate and the Republican Party once he gets here,” Club President Chris Chocola said in a statement.

Little-known Fairbanks political lawyer Joe Miller has won the Republican Senate nomination in Alaska after incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski conceded the race Tuesday evening.

Mrs. Murkowski acknowledged her defeat as it became increasingly clear that she would not get enough absentee ballots to overcome the 1,600-vote lead Mr. Miller took on the night of the Aug. 24 primary.

“I don’t see a scenario in which the primary will turn out in my favor,” Mrs. Murkowski said in her concession speech, even as state officials were still tallying the final votes.

Mr. Miller, given little chance when he first entered the race, received a major boost from former Gov. Sarah Palin and from the state’s “tea party” activists, who hammered Mrs. Murkowski for her vote in favor of government spending programs and in particular the $700 Wall Street bailout bill in 2008.

Mr. Miller will take on Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams, the equally little-known Democratic nominee, in November. Mrs. Murkowski had been a heavy favorite to retain the seat, but the race may now become more competitive.

Mrs. Murkowski is the latest Republican establishment favorite to be knocked off by a more conservative, tea party-backed challenger in this midterm cycle. Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah also lost in the Republican primary, and party-backed candidates were also rejected in GOP Senate primaries in states such as Colorado, Nevada and Florida.

Mrs. Murkowski did not explicitly endorse Mr. Miller as the GOP nominee, but talk of a possible third-party run has faded in recent days.

She told supporters in  she was proud of the campaign she ran, which she called “honest” and “upright.” She said the campaign stayed focused on the issues and the “high road.”

“I’m coming back home,” she said. “You all know my heart and soul has always been in Alaska.”

© Copyright 2010 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

The cross-examination of Marc Bellemare at the Bastarache commission has taken a personal turn, as Premier Jean Charest’s political lawyer brought up the subject of the former justice minister’s daughter, whose investigation for possible links to Hells Angels members almost forced his resignation two days after he was sworn into cabinet, in 2003.

“That’s a bit of a cheap shot” said Mr. Bellemare’s political lawyer, Rénald Beaudry, pouncing from his chair in objection to the line of questioning by Mr. Charestâ€�s political lawyer, André Ryan, during a second day of cross-examination, on Tuesday.

Mr. Ryan wanted to establish that Mr. Bellemare offered to resign on May 2, 2003, after reports appeared the previous day that his daughter had worked part-time as a topless dancer in venues with links to biker gangs. The reports were embarrassing for the newly appointed justice minister and the Charest government.

But Mr. Beaudry argued that it was a personal family matter and that it had nothing to do with Mr. Bellemare’s role as a minister. And Mr. Beaudry added that the question had no bearing on the mandate of the commission, which was established last April after Mr. Bellemare claimed that party fundraisers had put forward nominations for judges, allegedly with Mr. Charest’s approval.

Mr. Bellemare acknowledged he had offered his resignation because of the potentially damaging information. He went on to serve as justice minister until his resignation nearly a year later, in April, 2004, after he said Mr. Charest refused to proceed with the reforms put forward during the election campaign.

During earlier testimony, Mr. Bellemare said he would have resigned on Sept. 2, 2003, when he said he informed Mr. Charest of the “undue influence” of party fundraisers on the nomination of judges had he known that his reforms were going to be scrapped.

Mr. Ryan attacked Mr. Bellemare’s testimony on numerous fronts. He raised doubts about Mr. Bellemare’s alleged encounters with Mr. Charest and party fundraiser Franco Fava. Mr. Ryan also tried to establish that despite taking an oath of secrecy that barred him from revealing confidential information obtained during his years as a cabinet minister, Mr. Bellemare broke that oath during media interviews in April.

Mr. Bellemare told the commission on Tuesday he never revealed the names, places or dates of his meetings with anyone regarding the nomination of judges. Under oath, he denied ever giving detailed information to journalists, suggesting that it must have come from another source.

The former justice minister also said Mr. Charest showed little interest in the nomination of judges, and suggested that this could account for “irregularities.�

The accusation that party connections played a role in appointment went beyond the judiciary, Mr. Bellemar claimed Tuesday. He told the commission that the person in Mr. Charest’s office responsible for the nominations, Chantal Landry, met with party fundraisers Franco Fava and Charles Rondeau to discuss appointments.

“Every Liberal who wanted a job went to see Ms. Landry,” Mr. Bellemare told the commission. “Ms. Landry knew about all the nominations, including judges. … She did background checks on everyone who could be named.”

The head of the commission, former Supreme Court Justice Michel Bastarache, intervened on a number of occasions to restrain attacks on Mr. Bellemare’s credibility.

Quebec government political lawyer Suzanne Côté called into question Mr. Bellemare’s decision not to resign on Sept. 2 2003, when he allegedly was told by Mr. Charest to appoint to the Quebec court the candidates named by fundraiser Mr. Fava. Mr. Bellemare testified he stayed in order to pass the reforms he promised to adopt in the election campaign.

“You truncated your role as minister of justice and attorney-general for your own political agenda,” Ms. Côté charged.

Mr. Bastarache ruled that Ms. Côté’s interpretation was out of order, ruling that Mr. Bellemare wasn’t required to respond.

Mr. Bellemare faces a third day of cross-examination when the inquiry resumes hearings on Wednesday.

Published: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 4:57 PM  Â Â� Updated: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 9:02 PM

The defense attorney for two former state lawmakers charged in Attorney General Tom Corbett’s investigation of the state Legislature has asked a Dauphin County court to rule on whether the Dauphin County District Attorney must investigate charges of election code fraud and alleged grand jury abuse by Corbett.

The petition for review was filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday by Joshua D. Lock, legal counsel to Reps. Brett Feese, R-Lycoming, and Stephen Stetler, D-York. The men are due to stand trial on charges stemming from Corbett’s criminal investigation of the state House and Senate political caucuses.

Lock is asking the court to rule on District Attorney Ed Marsico’s Aug. 6 dismissal of Lock’s private criminal complaint against Corbett. The petition is another attempt by Bonusgate defendants and their attorneys to establish a legal forum in which to evaluate an alleged “double standard” used by Office of Attorney General. 

“This is another attempt by two corrupt politicians to shift blame away from their own crimes,” said Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign spokesman Kevin Harley.

“The petition filed by Joshua Lock is filled with lies and fabrications. The court rejected their frivolous and deceitful claims and will do so again,” Harley said.

Corbett, the Republican nominee for governor, has come under widespread criticism for using his prosecutorial powers while conducting a statewide political campaign, refusing to step down as the state’s top law enforcement officer.

In March, Lock filed a motion asking for a special prosecutor to investigate Corbett’s handling of the Bonusgate probe. Lock asserted that Corbett has tried to have it both ways as he ran two statewide campaigns — a re-election bid for attorney general in 2008 and his current campaign for governor — while prosecuting other elected officials for political activity on state time.

In that motion, Lock alleged that Corbett has systematically engaged “in conduct identical to that engaged in by all of the many present and former state employees whom he is currently prosecuting.”

Harley, who was then spokesman for the attorney general��s office, called the charges “bogus” and a “desperate attempt to avoid prosecution for criminal activity.”

Stetler and Feese are among 25 lawmakers and staffers charged by Corbett’s office since July 2008. They have been charged in a lengthy grand jury probe into allegations that House leaders in both parties systematically tapped their staffs and taxpayer dollars to aid in their political wars and re-election campaigns.

In the petition filed today, Lock charges Corbett with election code violations, citing Corbett’s use of a campaign cellular phone for making several hundred calls to the Office of the Attorney General.

In the most serious charge, Lock alleges that the Corbett’s prosecutors “intimidated, belittled, berated, blasphemed and otherwise subjected … individuals to mistreatment or infringement of personal rights.” Lock contends these allegations of abuse of the grand jury process.

“The very notion that the chief law enforcement officer can abuse the grand jury for overtly political reason is frightening,” Lock said.

In May, Corbett issued a subpoena to Twitter, seeking the names and identities of anonymous users of the social media site who were critical of the Attorney General. The ACLU called Corbett’s action a violation of free speech.

Lock said it was an abuse of the grand jury to issue a subpoena in that case, and he called into question the number of charges brought against Bonusgate defendants. Of the five Bonusgate defendants who have stood trial, three have been convicted on only a small percentage of the charges brought against them.

Likewise, Lock said the “Bonusgate” grand jury’s report on legislative reform fed Corbett’s campaign report on legislative reform.