What Are They Waiting For? Dems Still Pocket Weiner Donations as Colleagues Unload Them
FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Bill Owens (NY-23), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Tim Holden (PA-17), John Barrow (GA-12), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Jim Himes (CT-04), Mark Critz (PA-12), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Gary Peters (MI-09), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Bill Foster (IL-14)
New York Democrat Signals Tacit Acceptance of Colleague Facing House Ethics Investigation
Washington — As more of his Democrat leaders and colleagues in the House run away from scandal-ridden Congressman Anthony Weiner, Brian Higgins is still happy to keep Weiner’s tainted donations days later. As Higgins continues to cling to the donations he has received from Weiner, he demonstrates that being loyal to his fellow Democrats in Washington comes before his constituents in New York.
“Many of Brian Higgins’ fellow Democrats have already made the simple choice to reject Congressman Weiner’s inappropriate behavior that could lead to a potential House ethics violation, but Higgins continues to stand by his side and pocket the cash he has received from his scandal-plagued Washington ally,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Higgins should send a clear sign to his New York constituents that he rejects Congressman Weiner’s wildly inappropriate and selfish behavior by returning his scandal-tainted donations from the embattled Congressman.”
So far, a total of $11,000 has been returned by Ohio Democrat Betty Sutton, Indiana Democrat Joe Donnelly, Iowa Democrat David Loebsack, Connecticut Democrat Joe Courtney, and Minnesota Democrat Tim Walz:
As a reminder, Brian Higgins has received at least $4,000 from Congressman Weiner in the past. (FEC.gov, Accessed 6/9/11)
As Brian Higgins continues to pocket the cash he has received from Congressman Weiner over the years, he increasingly demonstrates that he would rather defend his ally in Washington. Although many of his fellow Democrats took action days ago, Higgins should still return his contributions from Congressman Weiner to stop sending the message that he will continue to defend his embattled colleague for the sake of partisan unity.