GOP Senate candidate suggests IRS audit tied to politics

U.S. Senate candidate Matt Whitaker suggested Wednesday he may have been audited by the Internal Revenue Service because of his political beliefs.

Whitaker was one of two Republican Senate candidates to speak at a Scott County Republican Party fundraiser in Davenport. He told a group of activists that he had done work for conservative groups. Then, he said, he was audited.

Whitaker noted he is a former U.S. Attorney for the state of Iowa. He was appointed by then-President George W. Bush.

“All I know is that for me to even think that I was targeted because of my conservative views is going to have a chilling effect,” he said.

The remark came in response to a question about recent controversies concerning the Obama administration, including an IRS inspector general's report that said the agency improperly singled out for additional scrutiny conservative groups that were applying for tax-exempt status.

This wasn't the first time Whitaker has mentioned the incident. He did so last month at a meeting in Des Moines, according to the Iowa Republican website. The site also quoted Whitaker as saying the matter had been resolved and he was not found to have owed any additional tax.

Whitaker couldn't be reached after Wednesday's event.

Whitaker and Sioux City talk radio show host Sam Clovis were at the fundraiser, which was held at the Outing Club in Davenport.

Several Republicans have expressed interest in seeking the GOP nomination to replace Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who is retiring next year.

David Young, the former chief of staff to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has announced his candidacy. Also, former Reliant Energy CEO Mark Jacobs said Wednesday that he's forming a committee to explore a possible candidacy. State Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Red Oak, also has said that she's considering a run.

Clovis, who also is an economics professor at Sioux City's Morningside College, said Wednesday the country is seeing its personal and religious liberties eroded. And he cited the Supreme Court's decision Wednesday to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act as a threat to the country's social fabric.

“We are seeing a cultural change that will redefine our country,” he said.

He also criticized the proposed immigration reform bill, warning it would cost state and local governments billions of dollars.

Whitaker, meanwhile, said the country's infrastructure is going wanting, even while federal government's money is going to “handouts” and “bailouts.”

“We have an administration that currently believes that subsidies are more important than freedom and liberty and would rather hand out and give out things to people instead of teaching them work and success,” Whitaker said.