Jennifer LeeAnn Ney expects "closure" soon with the U.S. Secret Service.

Ney said Tuesday she wants to "mediate" their mutual situation.

According to Ney, she has been under investigation by the U.S. Secret Service since events dating to year 2000 campaign activities involving George W. Bush.

The investigation concerns five specific campaign events in Iowa, Colorado and Minnesota.

Ney moved to Austin with her father last October and she is a candidate for State Senate District 27 on the Independence Party ticket.

Ney will square off Sept. 10, in the state primary election against Terry Kelley of Austin.

Two weeks ago, U.S. Secret Service agents interviewed Ney at her residence late at night with an Austin Police Department escort.

She claims it is harassment and has threatened legal action.

Meanwhile the Secret Service offices in the Twin Cities have not made any comment.

Now, Ney said she has unspecified legal help in her battle with the Secret Service.

"My attorneys are preparing a lawsuit against the U.S. government, the Republican Party and President Bush," Ney said. "If they don't stop their actions, I am going to file a lawsuit."

According to Ney, if the three plaintiffs in her anticipated lawsuit bring an end to what she calls "harassment," the lawsuit will not be filed.

"I've got campaigning to do," she said.

Both Ney and Kelley will be featured in pre-primary election profiles in future editions of the Austin Daily Herald.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com