A Wausau radio station is being forced to give Democratic assembly candidate Mandy Wright free air time.
Pat Snyder, a conservative radio show host, stayed on air after he began campaigning. The Federal Equal Airtime Law says after a candidate wins the primary election, they are allowed to request equal time. Since Snyder was on air the entire month of August, Wright made the request for equal time.
As part of the deal with the radio station, Wright will be allowed to broadcast one minute political ads 18 times a day on weekdays, and 12 times on the weekends, up to the first weekend of October.
Midwest Communication Operations Manager, Chris Conley says, "Any candidate can claim equal time if a broadcaster has their opponent on air. Its unusual, most candidates resign immediately so they can focus but pat wanted to stay on as long as possible."
Midwest communications, which owns WSAU radio, would not say what 330 ads is worth. But managers do admit they're losing the money they would make from advertisers.
Meanwhile, Jim Mass, the Libertarian candidate in the race, will not receive any air time. That’s because he didn't file the request within seven days of Snyder’s last day on air.
