The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists has called on St. Louis County officials to release emails between county commissioner Pete Stauber, who is a candidate for the Eighth Congressional District, and the National Republican Congressional Committee. In a written statement, the chapter’s president Joe Spear called it “troubling” that the county both denied the Star Tribune’s request to see the emails and doubled down after the state Department of Administration called on the release of the emails.

“St. Louis County is engaging in an egregious violation of the Data Practices and MNSPJ calls on it to immediately reverse its decision,” Spear said.

Earlier this week, the Minnesota DFL filed a lawsuit against St. Louis County, asking a judge to grant access to the 15 emails between Stauber and the NRCC.