Iowa GOP: Grassley probe did not impact delegate spot

WASHINGTON — The Christian activist who will lead the Iowa delegation to the Republican convention said Sen. Charles Grassley’s probe into televangelists’ finances was not the reason he was denied a delegate’s seat.

Steve Scheffler, president of the politically powerful Iowa Christian Alliance, dismissed reports that linked Grassley’s investigation and his lack of a delegate seat as “rumor-mongering and falsehoods.”

“His not being a delegate has nothing to do with his investigation of these ministries,” Scheffler said.

Iowa Republicans elected their slate of delegates at a July 12 convention, when Scheffler was elected as the state’s national committeeman, unseating a 20-year GOP veteran. Delegates also elected Kim Lehman, president of Iowa Right to Life, as GOP committeewoman.

Grassley has been investigating alleged lavish spending and tax exemptions of six high-profile evangelical ministries, including several well-known televangelists.

A few Washington insiders and columnists painted Grassley’s failure to gain a delegate’s seat as payback for his probe, which has been unpopular in some evangelical circles.

But Scheffler said Iowans “revere and honor” the 28-year senate veteran, who is still expected attend and influence the GOP nomination Having a voting delegate besides Grassley gives Iowa more sway over the party platform, Scheffler said.

Scheffler would not comment on Grassley’s investigation, saying it has nothing to do with the state’s GOP delegates. Grassley’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

— RNS