WINONA, Minn. – Mayoral candidate Ted Hazelton said he was misled by Winona Daily News reporter Rachel Mergen when she interviewed him about Facebook posts that didn’t square neatly with his campaign positions. In a complaint to the newspaper, Hazelton said Mergen asked him about his post that called for a boycott of the Hallmark cable television channel for including gay couples in holiday movies. Hazelton said he told Mergen that the post was several years old, although acknowledging he reposted it last December. “I asked if she had anything else for me to comment on. She said ‘no.’ Rachel never asked about any other post at all.” Hazelton said he was “totally blindsided” by Mergen’s article. He then swiped at the Daily News more broadly: “Did the WDN go trolling on any other candidates’ social media? The Winona Post does not resort to tactics like these!” The Daily News printed Hazelton’s criticisms Saturday and added an editor’s note: “After reviewing a recording of the phone call with Mr. Hazelton, the Daily News absolutely stands behind our report and our reporter. The Daily News indeed reviewed public posts of all mayoral candidates. And Mr. Hazelton’s Facebook posts — and their timestamps– are there for anyone to see.”
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