Judge orders release of Stauber emails

A judge ordered St. Louis County to release emails between County Commissioner Pete Stauber and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Stauber sent and received the 22 messages on his county email account while campaigning for the 8th Congressional District seat.

The emails show Stauber asking for opposition research on Congressman Rick Nolan in August 2017 ahead of a congressional field hearing on veterans' health care issues.

Stauber wrote that he needed “Nolan's anti-veteran votes” to get people to attend.

Stauber launched his campaign in July 2017.

The DFL sued for access to the messages, claiming it shows Stauber improperly used taxpayer resources.

DFL Chairman Ken Martin in a statement said, “Months before he was an official candidate, Pete Stauber was plotting and strategizing with party bosses in D.C. at the expense of his constituents back home.”

Stauber’s campaign spokesman says, “Pete respects the court’s decision and process just as he did when the county looked into this matter and found no wrong doing.”