Idaho House Dem Accused of Stealing GOP’s Campaign Material

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Republican candidate says Democratic Rep. John McCrostie stole campaign literature and then lied about doing so while being recorded.

First-time GOP challenger Ryan McDonald, who is running for a Senate seat in District 16, says he was campaigning in Garden City last week when he saw McCrostie also out going door-to-door.

McDonald decided to approach McCrostie after noticing the Democratic incumbent was carrying the same campaign plastic bags McDonald had just dropped off at homes.

According to the audio recorded by McDonald, McCrostie initially denied stealing any opponent's campaign material.

When McDonald then explained he was a Republican candidate, McCrostie offered to give back the campaign materials and said "it's part of the game."

McCrostie declined to immediately comment Friday when contacted by The Associated Press.

McDonald has since filed a report with the Garden City police department.