CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – In anticipation of Wednesday’s vote on whether former House Speaker Gene Chandler should be kicked out of office for failing to report about $64,000 at fund-raising corn roasts, supporters and detractors prepared to add their voices to the emotional debate.

Chandler’s constituents from the Bartlett area were on the phone during the holiday weekend, organizing a rally for Tuesday morning to support their friend and long-time representative in Concord. Chandler, 57, is serving his 12th term and served as speaker from 2001-2004.

“We’ve heard from the Ethics Committee. We’ve heard from the lawyers. We’ve read the letters to the editor, but his very own voters have not been heard from,” said the support rally organizer, Rep. Carolyn Brown, R-Conway.

Opponents were on the Internet, using a Web site to announce an anti-Chandler rally on Tuesday afternoon.

“Gene Chandler must resign without delay,” said the site, shuckchandler.org. “We cannot let the Republican-led NH House shove his illegal activities under the rug.”

The rallies are in response to last week’s House Ethics Committee recommendation that Chandler, a Republican, be expelled for the rest of this term because of failing to report about the donations he collected at the roasts from lobbyists and others who do business with the Legislature.

Chandler, who is in the real estate, land and timber business, has said he did not believe he had to report the contributions. He pleaded guilty, however, to a misdemeanor related to the allegations. He also decided not to seek re-election as speaker last year. A call to his home was not immediately returned Monday afternoon.

Brown said the idea for the pro-Chandler rally began as a way for constituents to speak out, but has grown to include many legislators and others from outside Chandler’s district.

“Yes, he made a really big mistake, but we’re not willing to give him up for that,” she said on Monday.

Brown said she hopes the House votes to reprimand Chandler, not expel him.

The anti-Chandler Web site asks participants to bring cans of corn – “lots and lots” – to the Statehouse lawn. It features photos of President Bush eating corn on the cob.

In addition to demanding Chandler’s resignation, the site says the Legislature should outlaw cash contributions to the personal accounts of elected officials.

One of its creators, Democratic activist Alexander Lee of Concord, said the issue is not solely about Chandler.

“It’s about campaign finance reform and putting an end to the monetary influence of lobbyists,” Lee said Monday.

He said he would rather see Chandler resign and avoid Wednesday’s vote.

“Then it’s going to boil down to a personality contest, rather than a decision about ethics,” Lee said.

Either way, Chandler should not be allowed to finish this term, and if his constituents are so supportive, they should vote him back into office next year.

“Now that a decision has been made, people should have an opportunity to re-elect him if that’s how they really feel,” Lee said.

Clifford Snow of Manchester was the last lawmaker expelled from the House. He was charged in 1913 with taking bribes in exchange for votes.